Bad luck in love
28 November 1857 25 November 1885 With the ousting of Isabel II and the proclamation of the Republic, Spain experienced a brief but significant political experience witnessing the establishment of constitutional principles and Republicans of the French Revolution. The new regime, begun 11 February 1873, he manages to pass the Constitution but falls victim of time not yet ripe for its deep roots. On 29 December of the following year, the first Spanish Republic succumb under the blows of the restoration that proclaims the son of Isabella, King Alfonso XII. Born to Isabella and Ferdinand Maria Francesco d'assisi of Bourbon-Spain (paternity remained however controversial due to the homosexuality of Francis) on 28 November 1857 in Madrid, Alfonso he studies in Madrid, Paris, Vienna, and finally in the United Kingdom. When Isabel, in 1870, abdicated in his favour, he became head of the party--that bears his name--the "tinutukso NA", whose purpose is his accession to the throne. Has just turned 17 years old when, with the "Sagunto pronouncement" of the 1874 General Pavia and Martinez de Campos the hand over the Crown of Spain. Committed for Carlist forces in 1874, in the battles of Somorrostro, debellandole and Trevino, in 1875. The next year brings together Parliament to devise a new Constitution. In 1868 he met his cousin Mercedes d'Orleans, just twelve years old, and between the two was just a spark of love: become ripe age, Alfonso decides that she will become his wife. Maternal desires, 23 January 1878 reversing takes her hand in marriage but only six months later, gravely ill with tuberculosis, the 22-year-old Queen Consort dies. Mercedes was founded by the Duke of Montpensier Antonio of Orléans, son of King Louis Philippe of France and Maria Amalia of the two Sicilies. Meanwhile, in the colony of Cuba his troops put an end, on 10 January 1878, the ten years ' war ", beating off the forces of the separatists. With the end of the two conflicts, the Carlist and Cuban one, Alfonso has neutralized the main causes of destabilization of the Kingdom. This phase is followed by the consolidation of public finances and, thanks to its ability to inspire sympathy and confidence, became very popular and well liked by the people. The King owes much to the political skill of Antonio Canovas del Castillo, his Prime Minister from 1875 to 1881 and in 1884-1885. The death of his beloved Mercedes was a blow to the young and when, the following year, is having to find a new wife to ensure a dynastic lineage, his choice falls on the sister of Mercedes, Maria Cristina, which resembles a lot to the deceased first wife and to whom Alfonso is very fond of. But the fate he rages against because, even before the wedding, also to Maria Cristina touches the same fate of his sister. At this point, disappointed and disheartened, let the diplomats to decide for him, and on 29 November 1879 takes to wife Maria Christina of Austria, daughter of Archduke Karl Ferdinand of Austria-Teschen and Archduchess Elisabeth Franziska von Habsburg. The first child born from the marriage imposes the name of his great and unfortunate love, Mercedes; will then Maria Teresa and the future Alfonso XIII, his successor. The vicious disease that has haunted him, twice denying him the beloved woman, eventually attacking him: undermined by tuberculosis, Alfonso XII dies in the Royal Palace of El Pardo in Madrid on 25 November 1885, only 28 years old. The leadership of the Kingdom shall be assumed by Maria Cristina who is carrying the third son of Alfonso, and that will hold the Regency until 1902.