20th Century Spain: Monarchy, Republic, & Franco

Posted on Oct 24, 2024 in History

Reign of Alfonso XIII (1902-1931)

A. Constitutional Period (1902-1923)

  • Increasingly erratic political parties until 1917.
  • Crisis of 1917: General strike, Assembly of Parliamentarians, and Juntas.
  • Post-war global economic crisis, internal political crisis, and social crisis. Anarchist social unrest and employer terrorism until 1923.
  • Key works of the regime’s governments:
    • Conservative Party (Maura):
      • Local Administration Act: To remove caciquismo (political bossism).
      • Regional Associations Act: Attempt at regional autonomy.
      • Significant economic development.
      • Tragic Week of 1909.
    • Liberal Party (Canalejas):
      • Padlock Law: To limit religious orders.
      • Regional Associations Act: Continuation of Maura’s policy.
      • Recruitment Law: Compulsory military service.
      • War of Morocco: Occupation of Larache (1906 Algeciras Conference, 1909 military disaster, 1912 Hispano-French Treaty).

B. Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera (1923-1930)

Caused in part by the failure of parliamentarism corrupted by caciquismo, radicalization of parties, and general lawlessness. Divided into two sub-stages: Military Directory (1923-1925) and Civil Directory (1925-1930).

  • Restoration of public order through crackdowns.
  • Suspension of courts and political parties.
  • End of the War in Morocco. 1925 landing at Alhucemas.
  • Economic promotion (Calvo Sotelo) and public works (Conde de Guadalhorce). 1926 creation of the Hydrographic Confederations.

C. End of the Monarchy of Alfonso XIII

The 1929 global economic crisis reached Spain. Combined with the King’s acceptance of the dictatorship and divisions within the army, this led to the dictator’s fall and the end of the monarchy.

  • Berenguer Government (1930-1931): Pact of San Sebastián of political parties against the monarchy (1930).
  • Aznar Government (1931):

Second Republic (1931-1936)

Presidents: Niceto Alcalá-Zamora (1931-1936) and Manuel Azaña Díaz (February 1936-March 1939).

A. Social-Azaña Biennium (1931-1933)

  • Preparation of the 1931 Republican Constitution.
  • 1931: Full universal suffrage (women and men).
  • Expulsion of the Jesuits and suppression of religious orders.
  • Organization of Statutes of Autonomy (Catalonia).
  • Army reforms and Sanjurjo revolt (1932).
  • Attempted land reform. Casas Viejas revolt and government overthrow.

B. Radical-CEDA Biennium (1933-1936)

  • Lerroux-Gil Robles Coalition.
  • October Revolution of 1934 (Asturias, Catalonia, etc.).

C. The Popular Front (February 1936-July 1936)

  • Azaña named President of the Republic. Casares Quiroga government.
  • Radicalization of political parties: Extreme right and extreme left.
  • Murders of Lieutenant Castillo (left) and Calvo Sotelo (right) in July 1936.
  • Military uprising (July 1936).

Civil War (1936-1939)

Proceedings of the War

Several generals were involved in the insurrection, including Sanjurjo, Mola, and Franco. Spain was divided into two zones:

  • Rebel or Nationalist Zone: Included Morocco, Canary Islands, Galicia, Castile-León, Navarre, and parts of Aragon, Extremadura, and Andalusia. Agricultural area with support from Germany, Italy, and Portugal. Government initially under a National Defense Board, later concentrated power in Franco. Unification of political parties into one. Authoritarian state.
  • Republican Zone: Included Catalonia, Bilbao, Valencia, Madrid, etc. Industrial area with support from Russia, Mexico, and the International Brigades. Governments of Giral, Largo Caballero, and Negrín.

Dictatorship of Franco (1939-1975)

A. Political Profile of Franco

  • Suppression of political parties and trade unions.
  • Courts not elected by universal suffrage, but on behalf of family, city councils, and unions.
  • Franco regime institutionalized by Fundamental Laws and political institutions.
  • Phases of the regime’s policy: Fascist Stage (1939-1942); Political System Adaptation, Isolation, and Neutrality (1951-1965); Apogee of the Regime (1951-1965); Tardofranquismo and Political Opening (1965-1975).

B. Economic Development under Franco

  • Autarchy and Stagnation (1939-1950): Spain had to be self-sufficient during and after WWII.
  • Inflation (1951-1956): Rapid and uncontrolled growth after the end of the international economic blockade.
  • Stabilization (1957-1959): “Stabilization Plan” to reduce imports and increase exports.
  • Economic Expansion (1960-1975): Economic recovery and “development plans.” 1973 oil crisis caused a setback.

C. International Relations of the Franco Regime

  • Official Neutrality (1939-1945).
  • Isolation (1945-1950): Spain excluded from the UN and other international bodies.
  • Opening (From 1950): 1953 bilateral treaty with the U.S. 1955 entry into the UN.

Second Stage and Democratic Bourbon Restoration (1975-1997)

  • Restoration of the monarchy under Juan Carlos I.
  • Global economic crisis after 1973.
  • Arias Navarro Government (December 1975-July 1976): Tensions between hardliners and democrats.
  • Adolfo Suárez Government (July 1976-June 1977):
    • 1976 referendum approving the Political Reform Act.
    • Left-wing (ETA, GRAPO) and extreme-right terrorism.
    • Legalization of all political parties (April 1977: PCE).
  • UCD Governments (Suárez and Calvo Sotelo) (1977-1982):
    • Moncloa Pacts to improve the economic and employment situation.
    • Approval of the 1978 Constitution.
    • Attempted coup d’état: 23-F (1981).
    • Spain joined NATO (1981).
  • PSOE Governments (Felipe González) (1982-1996):
    • End of the political transition.
    • Industrial restructuring.
    • Improvements in economy, communications, and education.
    • Construction of the Autonomous State.
    • Spain joined the European Community (1986).