Early 20th Century Spanish History: Key Events & Concepts
Early 20th Century Spanish History
Key Events and Concepts
Anarchist Terrorism
Many victims around the turn of the 20th century were claimed by anarchist attacks. Tsar Alexander II and Humberto I were killed, while Kaiser Wilhelm II and other European leaders suffered attempts. Maura escaped an attack in Barcelona.
Assassinations
The murder of a head of state or ruler.
Settlement in the Canary Islands
An archipelago of Micronesia in the Pacific Ocean, settled from 900 AD. Discovered by Spain under Salazar and annexed in honor of Carlos II. Germany forced Spain to sell the islands, despite protests by Japan and the populace. Later subjected to the USA.
Article 29
Provided that if a district had only one candidate, this candidate could be proclaimed deputy without a vote. Promoted by Gumersindo de Estella, it became a tool of Spanish despotism in the 20th century.
Reservists
After compulsory military service, soldiers went into the reserve for several years. They could be called back to active duty if needed. Many were married with children.
Panther Crisis
In the early 20th century, France and Germany faced a crisis in Morocco. Resolved with the Conference of Algeciras, but Germany didn’t fulfill the terms and sent a warship to Agadir to pressure France. France ceded part of the French Congo to Germany.
Lliga Regionalista
A Catalan political party emerging from the triumph of the 1901 candidacy. Played a prominent role in Catalonia until the Spanish Civil War. With conservative and democratic ideology, its main goal was the creation of the Commonwealth of Catalonia.
Tragic Week
Events unfolded in Barcelona and other Catalan cities between July 26 and August 2, 1909.
County Law
A law enacted by Spanish president José Canalejas Méndez in 1910, prohibiting the establishment of new religious congregations in Spain and limiting the Church’s power.
Picasso Report
A written report by General Juan Picasso for the Supreme Council of War and Navy on the events in Melilla in July and August, referred to as the “annual disaster” and the abandonment of positions.
Split in the Carlist Movement
Jaime de Borbón issued a manifesto disavowing Spanish traditionalists who had expressed pro-German sentiments during World War I. Vázquez de Mella opposed the document, leading to a schism and the founding of the Catholic Traditionalist Party.
Mancomunitat
A coordinating agency for the four Catalan councils. Its president was based in Barcelona. Its powers included promoting public works and culture. It improved communications (roads, railroads), established schools for local government officials, agricultural technicians, and industrial technicians. Catalan became a language of administration alongside Castilian.
Ideal
After Maura’s resignation in 1909, he issued a manifesto stating that if the King didn’t reform the system, he lacked the support to maintain the old situation. An ultimatum to Alfonso XII, who called Maura to form a government.
Legion
Created by Royal Decree on January 28, 1920, by War Minister José Villalba to cope with the fighting in the Rif War. Called the “Third of Foreigners” because foreign volunteers fought in Morocco. Its first commander was José Millán.
Act of Leaks
The return to power of conservative Eduardo Dato saw the enactment of the Law of Leaks, an anti-terrorism law.
Somaten
Established by Royal Decree in September 1923. A uniformed force supporting public bodies. The name comes from the Catalan expression: “Som atents!” (We are attentive!).
Corporatism
A conception of society as more than the sum of individuals. Argued for intermediary bodies between the individual and the state to regulate social and economic life, and for ordered political representation.
Regenerationism
An intellectual movement between the 19th and 20th centuries that objectively examined the causes of Spain’s decline. Distinct from the Generation of ’98, though often confused. A metaphorical expectation for political change, expressing patriotic concern for the country’s decline, echoing earlier concerns expressed by “arbitristas” during the Enlightenment and Bourbon reforms.