Primo de Rivera’s 1923 Manifesto: A Coup for Spain
Primo de Rivera’s Manifesto (1923)
Excerpts from La Epoca
These excerpts from Primo de Rivera’s Manifesto, published in La Epoca on September 13, 1923, explain his coup d’état. The text is expository, argumentative, and a political protest. General Miguel Primo de Rivera (1870-1930) outlines the rationale and purposes of his actions.
Historical Context
Primo de Rivera criticized existing legislation but justified seizing power due to the urgent need to manage Spain’s political and economic life. He blamed the “professional politicians” of the Restoration for the nation’s woes since 1898, criticizing their pessimism after losing the last colonies. He also condemned the two-party system, turnismo, and electoral fraud.
Key Events and Issues
- The Tragic Week (1909): Catalan disturbances against the African War.
- The 1917 general strike and the formation of Defense Committees.
- Problems in Morocco, culminating in the Annual Disaster.
- Assassinations of Prime Ministers Canalejas (1912) and Dato (1921).
- Political instability and frequent government changes.
Primo de Rivera’s Justifications
Primo de Rivera justified the coup by citing:
- Severe social instability and escalating violence.
- Economic crisis driven by vested interests.
- Political intrigues related to the Moroccan War, particularly the Annual Disaster.
- Marginalization of the Church, the spread of communism and separatism, and widespread ignorance.
A Populist Message
Primo de Rivera presented a populist message of regeneration, promising to eliminate corruption, social indiscipline, and separatism. His rhetoric echoed earlier calls for “an iron fist” to guide Spain’s regeneration.
Alfonso XIII’s Support and the Dictatorship
King Alfonso XIII supported the coup, entrusting Primo de Rivera with forming a military government. The King’s motives included fear of social revolution, a desire to halt democratization, and a need to avoid accountability for the Annual Disaster.
The Two Stages of Dictatorship
- The Military Directory (1923-1925): Composed exclusively of military officers, presented as a provisional government.
- The Civil Directory (1925-1930): Included civilians, aimed to institutionalize the regime, and showed greater concern for social and economic issues.
The dictatorial nature of the regime was immediately evident through the suspension of the Constitution, dissolution of parliament, dismissal of civil authorities, and prohibition of political parties and trade unions. The regime prioritized order, fought corruption, and expressed contempt for parliamentary politics.
La Epoca Newspaper
La Epoca was a subscription-based newspaper catering to the upper class. It was a monarchist publication and the organ of the Conservative Party under Cánovas del Castillo. From 1934, it supported the National Bloc. It was published from April 1, 1849, to July 11, 1936, and cost 15 cents.