Alfonso XIII & Primo de Rivera Manifestos: Analyzing Spain’s Transition
Alfonso XIII Manifesto
Alfonso XIII Manifesto
This 1931 manifesto is a primary historical and political source. Written by Alfonso XIII, son of Alfonso XII, who ascended to the throne at 16 in 1902, his reign lasted until the establishment of the Second Spanish Republic. Forced into exile in France, he published this document in the ABC daily on April 17, 1931, following municipal elections that led to the Republic’s creation.
In the first paragraph, the king addresses the April 12th municipal elections, where Republican victories in major cities highlighted the need for policy change. Alfonso XIII apologizes for past mistakes, including mismanagement of the Moroccan War, numerous crises during his reign, and supporting Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship.
In the third paragraph, he explains his decision to withdraw to avoid a civil war, while asserting his historical rights. The concluding paragraphs reiterate his exile as a solution to prevent conflict, emphasizing his love for Spain.
Alfonso XIII’s reign began amid a moral crisis following the 1898 disaster. His early years were marked by discontent due to political instability and the breakdown of the Restoration’s turnismo system.
He faced constant pressure from nationalism and labor movements, leading to crises in 1909 and 1917, undermining the monarchy. The Moroccan War, culminating in the Disaster of Annual, added to these challenges.
These conflicts prompted the king’s support for the 1923 military uprising, establishing Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship. Initially, this brought improvements, ending the Moroccan War and boosting the economy under Calvo Sotelo. However, the regime declined after 1928, leading to the dictator’s resignation in 1930.
Alfonso XIII appointed General Berenguer, then Juan Bautista Aznar, to remedy the situation, but they couldn’t prevent the monarchy’s collapse, evident in the April 1931 Republican electoral victory. To avoid civil war, Alfonso XIII went into exile, paving the way for the Second Spanish Republic.
This document was vital in preventing a potential civil war, facilitating the Republicans’ rise to power and the establishment of the Second Spanish Republic.
The end of Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship contrasts with the Franco dictatorship’s end. The former led to the king’s exile, while the latter saw the Bourbons’ return with Juan Carlos de Borbón, Alfonso XIII’s grandson. Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship had less impact than Franco’s, which deeply influenced Spanish society, even leading to Tejero’s attempted coup in 1981.
Primo de Rivera Manifesto
Primo de Rivera Manifesto
This primary historical-political text is a manifesto presented by General Primo de Rivera in 1923. A prominent military and political figure, he became Spain’s dictator after a coup. Published on September 14, 1923, it aimed to convince the Spanish people and army that he would end the pre-coup era’s issues.
The text begins by referencing the decline since the 1898 crisis, criticizing the Restoration’s turnismo and the political instability marked by terrorism, separatism, and the 1909 and 1917 crises. This justifies the military rebellion, deemed necessary due to the government’s illegitimacy.
The following paragraph outlines the new government’s composition, comprising military and like-minded civilians. It emphasizes eradicating transgressions for the nation’s good and the king’s.
Finally, the author argues the coup isn’t desired but necessary, promising to eliminate terrorism, vandalism, political instability, lack of job preparation, nationalist movements, and the Moroccan War’s issues after the Disaster of Annual.
The dictatorship’s origins lie in the 1898 disaster, causing a moral crisis and intellectual movements like Regeneracionismo, influencing politicians like Maura and Canalejas.
This period was marked by instability, including the 1909 Tragic Week in Barcelona and the 1917 crisis, with social unrest and general strikes. Nationalism, particularly Catalan and Basque, and labor movements grew, some resorting to terrorism.
The Moroccan War and the Disaster of Annual further weakened the monarchy, leading to Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship. This lasted until 1930, divided into the Military Directory (until 1925) and the Civilian Directory, formed by the extreme right.
The dictatorship brought stability, ending the Moroccan War, addressing social conflicts through the National Corporate Organization, and boosting the economy through public works. However, the regime declined after 1928, leading to the dictator’s resignation in 1930.
This paved the way for the Second Spanish Republic, which ended in 1936 with a military uprising and the Spanish Civil War.
The manifesto was crucial in spreading the dictator’s ideals, accepted by most of the nation. Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship can be compared to Franco’s (1939-1975), both offering stability after periods of unrest. However, Primo de Rivera’s coup faced minimal opposition, while Franco’s followed a civil war. Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship ended the Restoration monarchy, while Franco’s ended the Republic, leading to the Bourbon monarchy’s restoration. Franco’s regime lasted 36 years, significantly impacting Spanish society, unlike Primo de Rivera’s seven-year rule.