Key Events in Spain: 1902-1931
Review 4
41. What was the Tragic Week?
Following the disaster of the Barranco del Lobo (Ravine of the Wolves) in Morocco, reservists were mobilized in Catalonia. This led to a general strike that ended with the shooting of workers and the resignation of Prime Minister Maura.
42. Who were the Conservative and Liberal Leaders in Spain Between 1902 and 1917?
- Conservative: Antonio Maura
- Liberal: José Canalejas
43. The Crisis of 1917 Had Three Dimensions. Explain.
- Military: Military personnel demanded professional pay raises and promotion by seniority rather than by war merits.
- Political: The courts were closed, and parliamentarians demanded a Catalan statute of autonomy.
- Social: (This dimension is missing from the original text and should be added for completeness. It likely refers to widespread social unrest and labor strikes.)
44. Explain the Problem in Morocco.
At the Conference of Algeciras, Morocco was divided into two protectorates: French and Spanish. As the French extended their territory, their occupation clashed with the tribes of the Rif. This led to events like the Barranco del Lobo and the Disaster of Annual.
45. What was the Annual Disaster?
The Annual Disaster was the defeat of the Spanish army, led by General Silvestre, which cost 10,000 lives in a battle against Abd el-Krim’s forces.
46. What was the Alhucemas Landing?
To eliminate Abd el-Krim, the Spanish and French armies prepared a combined maneuver by land, sea, and air. This resulted in the defeat of the Moroccan army at Al Hoceima beach.
47. Who was Primo de Rivera?
Primo de Rivera was a Spanish military officer who staged a coup against the government and was supported by Alfonso XIII from 1923 to 1930.
48. What are the Stages of Primo de Rivera’s Dictatorship?
- The Military Directory
- The Civil Directory
49. Why did Alfonso XIII Leave Spain?
In 1931, municipal elections were held that became a referendum on the monarchy. Although the monarchist parties won overall, the Republicans won in major cities. To prevent a civil war, the king chose exile.
50. What are the Stages of the Second Republic?
- Provisional Government
- Reformist Biennium
- Conservative Biennium
- Popular Front
51. Explain the Religious, Military, and State Reforms.
- Religious: The government attempted to limit the influence of the Church by approving civil marriage, divorce, and civil burials. They also eliminated the salaries of priests, expelled the Jesuits, and banned religious orders from teaching.
- Military: The government offered early retirement to military personnel who were not fully aligned with the Republic, with full pay. They also tried to make the military more professional.
- State: The government attempted to reduce centralism by approving statutes of autonomy, including for the Basque Country during the Civil War.
52. Explain the Agrarian Reform.
To reduce social inequalities and redistribute the country’s wealth, the government passed the Agrarian Reform Law. This involved the expropriation of large estates that were abandoned or poorly exploited by the state. The reform ultimately failed.
53. What was the CEDA?
CEDA stands for the Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Right-wing groups (Confederación Española de Derechas Autónomas).
54. What Event Triggered the Military Coup?
The murder of Calvo Sotelo, a leader of the opposition, by Republican guards, triggered the military coup.
55. What is the Falange?
The Falange is a Spanish fascist party led by José Antonio Primo de Rivera, son of the former dictator.
56. What was the Revolt of Asturias?
The Revolt of Asturias was an uprising in the mining region by socialists against the government of the CEDA.