Colonial Expansion and Spain’s Monarchy: 1875-1923
Featuring the World in the 19th Century
In the 19th century, vast tracts of territories in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific were conquered and occupied by other nations. This process was initiated by Britain and France, but since 1870, interest increased. Africa was an object of special interest, and the gradual advance of colonization resulted in a growing clash of interests. Only the ownership of the coast gave the right to colonize the interior. The navigation of the rivers Niger and Congo was free. The territory of Congo was a personal possession of King Leopold II of Belgium.
Causes and Consequences of Colonial Expansion
Causes:
- Economic: Related to expansion and industrial capitalism. Possession of a colony was a safety net for the industry.
- Political: Related to the prestige of the nation. The more colonies a nation had, the greater its prestige.
- Demographic and Social: Colonies could be used to settle populations that were experiencing difficulties in the metropolis.
- Ideological: Related to the belief in white racial superiority.
Consequences:
Consequences were generally positive for the industrial and commercial interests of colonial powers but negative for dominated societies. These included wars of conquest, massacres, and contempt. It is also true that the settlers brought technical and medical advances, as well as Western ideological currents (liberalism, socialism).
The Monarchs Who Ruled Spain Between 1875 and 1923
Between 1875 and 1923, the political regime of Spain is known as the Restoration. This period includes the reign of Alfonso XII, the regency of Maria Cristina of Habsburg, and the reign of Alfonso XIII.
Highlights of the Regency of Maria Cristina of Habsburg
- Consolidation of the peaceful alternation and mutual agreement between the forces grouped around two liberal parties: the Conservative Party and the Progressive Liberal Party.
- Liberal reforms, with the expansion of rights and freedoms: the law of association, the law of the jury, the Civil Code, and the law of universal male suffrage.
- The development of workers’ organizations.
The Disaster of 1898
The disaster of 1898 involved the loss of Cuba and the Philippines as a result of defeat in the war against the U.S., which occupied them temporarily. The disaster led to an intellectual trend of strong criticism of the system and the ills of the country, known as Regenerationism. The Restoration saw the rise of regionalist and nationalist movements on the periphery, demanding recognition of their linguistic and political peculiarities.
The Most Striking Aspects of the Reign of Alfonso XIII
- The crisis of the Restoration system.
- Constant interventions by the monarch.
- Progression and infighting in political parties.
- An increase in opposing forces.
- Increased social and political conflict.
- The Tragic Week in Barcelona.
- The general crisis of 1917.
- The disaster of the war in Morocco.
What Issue Favored the Power of the Chiefs?
Socio-economic delay, the predominantly rural population, the dispersion of the population, the low economic development, and weak rule favored the power of local chiefs in Spain.
Why Did Many Galicians Emigrate to America? How Did They Conduct the Crossing?
The increase in population and the weakness of economic development meant that in 1860, thousands of Galicians left for America. From America, they would send capital to Galicia, and some returned. This facilitated the construction of numerous schools, land renovation, and allowed the acquisition of the property that families were working.
The Agrarian Movement
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Agrarian movement, a complex protest movement, called for the suspension of payments so that tenant peasants could become owners. These claims were supported by the cleric Basilio Álvarez.
Industrialization in Galicia
Industrialization was slow and particularly affected activities related to fishing. From 1880, numerous canning factories were installed, especially for sardines, which gave the Galician Rias labor to other sectors. There was also important shipbuilding in Ferrol and Vigo, as well as hydropower.