The Spanish council, disappointed of their German prince, finally chose a son of Victor Emmanuel of Italy, and made him King of Spain under the title of Amadeus I.
The new King did not take kindly to his throne. The Carlists were striving to gain the crown for their candidate, and the country was plunged into the horrors of a civil war.
After a reign of two years and one month Amadeus abdicated and went back to Italy, disgusted with the honors that had been thrust upon him.
This did not help the Carlists. A republic was declared which lasted until 1874. In August of that year the republic was formally acknowledged by all the countries of Europe except Russia, and in the following December the people changed their minds once more, and Alfonso, the son of Isabella, was proclaimed King by the Republican armies.
Alfonso reigned eleven years, and died in the winter of 1885. In the spring of 1886 the young King was born, his mother, Maria Christina of Austria, was declared Regent, and will continue to govern the country for the young Alfonso XIII. until he is old enough to take care of the country himself.
During all these troublous times Canovas steadily upheld the crown; through riot and revolution he never wavered, and was even banished from Spain on one occasion because of his well-known sympathy for the crown.
When the right moment came he placed himself at the head of Alfonso's friends, and succeeded in seating him on the throne.
Alfonso XII. never forgot the service Canovas had done him. He made him his Prime Minister, and during his entire reign was guided by the Minister's advice.
After Alfonso's death Canovas devoted himself to the service of the Queen Regent, and has been her faithful ally and counsellor ever since.
The Minister was, however, a haughty and arrogant man. He made many enemies through his pride, and despite the respect which both King and Queen had for him, both were more or less afraid of him.