Key Events in 20th Century Spain
Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera
Exhausted politically, the monarchy of Alfonso XIII and General Primo de Rivera initiated a coup in September. Unopposed, the King dissolved Parliament, ending constitutional life and establishing a dictatorship.
Proclamation of the Second Republic
On April 14th, the Second Spanish Republic was proclaimed following the municipal elections held on the 12th. These elections resulted in a triumph for Republican-Socialist candidates across all regions.
October Revolution
The announcement of CEDA’s entry into the government led to an uprising organized by regionalists and leftists, with centers in Asturias and Catalonia.
Start of the Spanish Civil War
On July 18th, troops stationed in Melilla rebelled against the Republican government. This subversive movement spread throughout parts of the country. A state of war was declared in Morocco.
Key Figures
Manuel Azaña (1880-1940)
A wealthy political writer, Azaña joined the Republicans during Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship. He was appointed Minister of War in the provisional government of the Second Republic and later became Prime Minister. He exiled himself to France at the start of the Civil War and died shortly after.
José Calvo Sotelo
A politician dedicated to politics under Alfonso XIII’s monarchy, Calvo Sotelo was a member of the Cortes and a civil governor.
José Canalejas Méndez (1854-1912)
A Republican politician, Canalejas served as Prime Minister under King Alfonso XIII.
Elviro Norberto Antonio Berdeguer Salorino (1892-?)
Born in 1892, Berdeguer obtained a medical degree from the University of Valladolid in 1917. He was involved in regionalism and socialism in Extremadura, advocating for the region under the slogan “For Extremadura, Extremadura.” He joined the Spanish Socialist Workers Party and became a prominent voice during the Second Republic.
Pablo Iglesias Posse (1850-1925)
A socialist typographer, Iglesias came into contact with Republicans and Socialists. He joined the Workers’ International in 1870 and co-founded the Spanish Socialist Workers Party in 1879. He was elected to the Cortes in 1910.
Francisco Largo Caballero
Largo Caballero joined the UGT and the Spanish Socialist Workers Party at a young age. He became secretary general of the UGT in 1918. After the proclamation of the Second Republic, he served as Minister of Labour and later as Prime Minister during the Civil War.
Antonio Maura Montaner
Maura began his political career in the Liberal Party. He served as Prime Minister twice but later joined the Conservatives due to disagreements on tariffs.
Miguel Primo de Rivera
From a prominent military family, Primo de Rivera led a coup in 1923 that ended the parliamentary system. He ruled with full power for over six years before resigning and exiling himself to Paris.
Other Key Events and Terms
1929 Crisis
The global crisis of capitalism, caused by overproduction, affected Spain’s trade with other countries due to protectionist policies.
Annual Disaster
A devastating defeat of the Spanish Army in Morocco in 1921.
Alhucemas Landing
A successful military operation in 1925 that led to the defeat of Moroccan tribes.
Civil Directory
A civilian government that replaced the Military Directory but retained ultimate powers.
Estraperlo
A term for a roulette scam introduced during the Second Republic, later used to refer to black market activities during the postwar period.
FAI (Federación Anarquista Ibérica)
An anarchist group founded in 1927 that advocated for direct action and collectives.
Popular Front
An alliance of Republican and worker parties that won the 1936 elections.
1917 General Strike
A major labor conflict aimed at producing political change in Spain.
Pact of San Sebastian
A meeting of anti-monarchist leaders in 1930.
Tragic Week
Violent events in Barcelona in 1909 following protests against the war in Morocco.
Burning of the Casa Vieja
An episode of rural violence in 1933 that resulted in the deaths of rebels and damaged the political standing of Prime Minister Manuel Azaña.