19th Century Spanish Politics & Society: Restoration & Regionalism
The Restoration and Political Landscape
Republicanism and Socialism
Increasingly moderate positions emerged within republicanism. Convinced that the restoration would ensure social order, some believed that the monarchy could adopt democratic principles. This led to the creation of the posibilista Republican Party. Universal male suffrage brought a revival of republicanism and stimulated the formation of electoral alliances, grouping different republican factions except for the posibilistas. Republicanism lost some of its former social base and had to compete for the popular vote with the newly formed Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), founded by Pablo Iglesias in 1879.
Regionalism and Catalan Nationalism
Catalonia pioneered the regionalist movement in Spain. Throughout the 19th century, Catalonia experienced higher economic growth than any other Spanish region, leading to the rise of an influential industrialist middle class. This group advocated for protectionism as a unifying element. A crucial step was the Basis of Manresa, a document aiming to consolidate an autonomous Catalonia within Spain. Regionalism evolved into true nationalism with the creation of the Lliga Regionalista, founded by Prat de la Riba and Francesc Cambó. This new party sought active political participation and representation to defend Catalan interests.
Labor Movement and Anarchism
With the establishment of the Restoration regime in 1874, labor organizations faced harsh repression and were forced underground. The rise of the Liberals brought a more permissive environment, and labor unions were legalized again. The Federación de Trabajadores de la Región Española (FTRE) had its strongest base among laborers in Andalusia and Catalonia. It developed a strong union action and a vindictive character. Internal disagreements and continued repression of the workers’ and peasants’ movement led a part of anarchism to opt for direct action, targeting the pillars of capitalism: the state, the bourgeoisie, and the Church. The proliferation of attacks deepened the division within anarchism. Some advocated for social revolution and the need for strong trade union organizations. This new anarcho-syndicalist trend led to the creation of the Confederación Nacional del Trabajo (CNT) in 1910. In 1888, the Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT) was founded. The UGT organized locally and practiced a cautious policy, resorting to strikes only as a last resort.
The Cánovas Political System and its Aftermath
The Cánovas political system rested on three pillars:
- A limited constitution establishing the monarchy as an unquestionable form of government.
- A political system that only allowed the two dynastic parties to alternate in power.
- Constant electoral fraud and caciquismo to ensure the alternation of power.
These fraudulent practices led to widespread dissatisfaction. The Disaster of 1898 caused a commotion in the country. The Restoration regime entered a new phase marked by the ascension of Alfonso XIII to the throne in 1902. This phase ended in 1931 with the fall of the monarchy and the proclamation of the Second Republic.