Key Events and Figures in Spanish History

Posted on Feb 11, 2025 in History

Facts to Remember

  • Pact of El Pardo: The El Pardo Pact was an agreement held on 24 November 1885, on the eve of the death of King Alfonso XII, between Cánovas del Castillo and Práxedes Mateo Sagasta, respective leaders of the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party. The aim was to support the regency of Maria Christina of Austria (pregnant with the future King Alfonso XIII) and ensure the continuity of the monarchy given the difficult situation created by the untimely death of the young monarch, especially given the strong pressure by the Carlists and Republicans.
  • Disaster of 1898: The Spanish defeat in which Spain lost its last colonies caused frustration among the political class and pessimism among Spanish intellectuals.
  • Crisis of 1917: This year saw protests from the military due to discriminatory promotions, a political protest with an assembly of parliamentarians in Barcelona claiming another constitution, and a union movement calling a general strike.
  • War in Morocco: The Rif War, also known as the Moroccan War or War of Africa, was a conflict resulting from the uprising of the tribes living in the Rif area (mountain region, northern Morocco) against Spanish and French colonialism. It primarily affected the Spanish troops.
  • Disaster of Annual: The Annual Disaster was a military defeat against the Spanish in the Rif, led by Abd el-Krim near the Moroccan town of Annual, on 22 July 1921. This led to a redefinition of colonial Spain in the Rif War.
  • Picasso Report: The Picasso Report is the name given to the report by Major General Juan Picasso González, assigned to the Supreme Council of War and Navy, in relation to events at the General Command of Melilla in July and August 1921, called the Disaster of Annual and the abandonment of positions.
  • Pact of San Sebastian: A pact signed by politicians (Republicans, Socialists, Catalan nationalists, and even some old monarchists) to unite in the elections and establish a republic. It was signed in August 1930.
  • March on Rome: Mussolini decided to take power by force, using a massive concentration of party members in several towns of central Italy, converging on Rome. The march on Rome achieved its goal, and King Victor Emmanuel III gave Mussolini the mandate to form a government.
  • Beer Hall Putsch: A coup d’état attempt to seize power by force, which failed.
  • Tragic Week: A popular insurrection exploded in Barcelona. The trigger was the sending of troops to the war in Morocco, drawn exclusively from the working classes because the wealthy paid to avoid military service.

Key Characters

  • A. Polo: The true mastermind behind the return of the Bourbons to the throne, and Prime Minister during the Restoration. He was also the leader of the Conservative Party.
  • Sagasta: Prime Minister and leader of the Liberals.
  • A. Maura: Leader of the Conservative Party after Cánovas.
  • J. Canalejas: Leader of the Liberal Party after Sagasta.
  • M. Primo de Rivera: A general who suspended the constitution, dissolved the courts, banned political parties and trade unions, and ended the war in Morocco.
  • Berenguer: A Spanish military and political figure who participated in recent governments of the monarchy of Alfonso XIII.
  • A. Hitler: Adolf Hitler was a German politician and military leader of Austrian origin, ideologue and founder of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party, which established a Nazi regime in Germany between 1933 and 1945, known as the Third Reich. He held the posts of Imperial Chancellor from January 1933 to April 1945, Head of State from 1934 to April 1945, and Supreme Commander of the German armed forces during World War II from September 1939 to April 1945.
  • B. Mussolini: Party leader of the Italiani di Combattimento Fasc. Founder of the fascist government.