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bringing liberals and conservatives together to take turns in providing the prime minister. The young king proved to be a wise and popular ruler, and the economies of Spain and its colonies prospered. Indeed, when the USA invaded Puerto Rica in 1898, one Puerto Rican peso was worth ten US dollars. He also won the affection of his people by visiting areas stricken with cholera and earthquakes.
Alfonso died of tuberculosis in November 1885 at the age of 27. His courage and compassion, as well as his ability to steer a path between the various factions, set Spain on a path to prosperity that survived the disastrous war with the USA at the end of the 19th century and lasted until the military coup of 1923.
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