Early 20th Century Spain: Politics, Society & Culture
Early 20th Century Spain
Political and Social Developments
The Loss of the Spanish Empire
The Ten Years’ War (1868-1878): The Cuban War of insurrection.
The Little War (1879): A new conflict in Cuba due to the failure or delay in implementing the reforms of the Zanjón Peace.
José Martí: Led the Cuban rebels seeking liberation from Spain.
McKinley: The U.S. president who attempted to buy Cuba from Spain for $300 million.
The Maine Incident (1898): The explosion of the USS Maine in Havana harbor, killing 200 people and leading to the Spanish-American War.
Political Figures and Movements
Francisco Silvela: Conservative leader who gained the confidence of Queen Regent Maria Cristina in 1899 and called for elections.
Antonio Maura: Established a cabinet with dynastic leaders and the Regionalist League in 1918.
Opposition to Maura: International campaigns denouncing repression led to Alfonso XIII dissolving parliament and Maura’s government.
José Canalejas Méndez (1905-1907): Oversaw the passing of the Jurisdictions Act.
The Jurisdictions Act (1906): Placed the military outside civilian jurisdiction for offenses against the army and flag.
The Electoral Act (1907): Attempted to eliminate electoral corruption but did not fully democratize the political system.
The Padlock Law (1910): Limited the establishment of new religious orders due to the Holy See’s refusal of reforms.
Commonwealths Law: Allowed the union of provincial councils to manage some public services.
Regionalist League: Led by Enric Prat de la Riba and Francesc Cambó, this party ruled the Commonwealth of Catalonia (1914-1923).
Social and Labor Issues
Employers Federation: Created to counter union power.
Francisco Largo Caballero: Became secretary general of the UGT (General Union of Workers) in 1918.
The Juntas: Military associations demanding better pay and merit-based promotions.
Joaquín Costa: Advocated for eliminating electoral corruption, improving farmers’ conditions, and raising the cultural level of Spain.
National Insurance Institute (1908): Established by Maura for worker security.
The Solidarity: A group linked to the CNT (National Confederation of Labor) in Barcelona.
National Corporate Organization: Brought together employers and employees to regulate labor disputes.
Labor Opposition: Included the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) and the CNT.
Cultural and Intellectual Currents
Generational Movements
Generation of ’98: Writers and thinkers who called for moral, social, and cultural regeneration after the loss of the Spanish Empire.
Generation of ’14: Arose during a time of significant change in Spanish society, including decreased illiteracy and the rise of new media.
Educational and Philosophical Influences
Francisco Giner de los Ríos: Key figure in the Free Institution of Teaching, advocating for free, secular education.
Free Institution of Teaching (1876): A private, secular alternative to official education, promoting educational reform.
Krausismo: A philosophical system influencing the Free Institution of Teaching, emphasizing direct contact with nature and freedom of conscience.
Artistic and Cultural Trends
Modernism: A European artistic and cultural movement emphasizing originality and representing the urban bourgeoisie.
Nationalism
Catalan Nationalism: Dominated by the conservative Regionalist League in the early 20th century.
Basque Nationalism: A Republican group formed in 1930.
Economic Developments
Nueva Montaña, S.A. (1889): A steel company that became a major producer in Spain.