After the defeat of Napoleon's forces, King Ferdinand VII returned to Spain, where he was greeted as a monarch who would restore stability post-conflict. However, his first major act as the restored monarch was to abolish the Spanish Constitution of 1812, a progressive document that had been established during the interim period when he was forced into exile. The Constitution had introduced various reforms aimed at modernizing the Spanish government, including the establishment of a parliamentary system, the recognition of civil liberties, and the separation of powers. These changes were inspired by Enlightenment principles and were a response to the demands for greater representation and rights by the citizens in the wake of political upheaval.Ferdinand's decision to abolish the Constitution on this occasion not only represented a return to absolute monarchy but also pointed to the deep divisions within Spanish society. Liberal factions who had supported the Constitution were disillusioned, leading to civil unrest and the formation of secret societies that sought to continue the push for liberal reform. The immediate aftermath saw a crackdown by supporters of the king against those who favored constitutionalism, significantly intensifying the political strife in Spain. Ferdinand's reign directly contributed to shaping the political landscape for decades, leading eventually to a series of uprisings and civil wars in the 19th century as liberals and conservatives clashed over the future direction of Spain.