Primo de Rivera’s Coup and Women’s Status in Early 20th Century Spain
DL Text Analysis: Excerpt from Primo de Rivera’s Manifesto
This text is an excerpt from the manifesto General Miguel Primo de Rivera launched to the nation after the uprising, while he was Captain General of Barcelona. The document outlines three key ideas:
- The coup ended the long crisis of the Restoration and Canova’s inability to tackle problems from the 1898 crisis.
- Establishment of a military board to perform government functions, under the author’s leadership.
- Gain the largest possible number of accessions, with a veiled warning against those who oppose the initiative.
Commentary
Miguel Primo de Rivera opposed constitutional legality, declared a state of war, and demanded power be transferred to the military. Alfonso XIII entrusted him with forming a new government composed exclusively of military personnel. The dictatorship lasted seven years with two forms of government: the Executive Board and the Civil-Military Directorate.
Reasons for the Coup
- The crisis of the Restoration system led to the breakdown of dynastic parties, internal divisions, and political instability. Between 1917-23, there were eleven governments, often resorting to measures like closing the Courts, suspending constitutional guarantees, and using the army to quell conflict.
- The expansion of the labor movement, fueled by the economic consequences of World War I and the influence of the 1917 Russian Revolution.
- The serious social conflict.
Opposition to the Dictatorship
The opposition included party leaders of the shift, Republicans, communists, anarchists, sections of the army, and almost all intellectuals.
Fall of the Dictator
Support for the coup among conservatives crumbled over time. Primo de Rivera proved incapable of reconciling various monarchical, civil, and military factions or finding a solution to transition to a constitutional system. Alfonso XIII, fearing the dictatorship’s growing prestige would affect the monarchy’s public image, removed the dictator, who resigned in January 1930.
Status of Women in 1903
Primary source text type: Fragment of the conference “Women, 1903” by Josep Prat.
The author distinguishes between upper-class women and working women. Upper-class women are depicted with a focus on cultural veneer, marriage, motherhood, and sartorial elegance. Working women are linked to manual labor, long hours, low pay, poor nutrition, and the risk of illness. Both groups suffer intellectual neglect, unaware of their rights due to ingrained duties.
Commentary
Women in Spain were not seen as independent individuals until the last quarter of the century. Their inequality and dependence on men covered legal, political, social, employment, and educational aspects.
Legal Aspects
The Civil Code of 1889 did not consider women fully legal persons, as they depended on the authority of their father or husband. Married women could not buy, rent, or sell without permission, even if the goods were their own. They could not pursue a career or testify in court without permission. Unmarried women could manage their commercial assets. Female infidelity was considered adultery and punished more severely.
Political Rights
Women were not considered citizens until 1931. In 1933, about six million women voted for the first time, thanks to figures like Clara Campoamor and Victoria Kent.
Social Level
Women were considered weaker than men, lacking intelligence and abstract thinking. Social roles were gendered: men handled economic maintenance, while women dealt with child-rearing and domestic issues.
Conclusion
All women were unequal to men in various aspects of their lives. Working women suffered triple discrimination: holding the same jobs as men, receiving lower wages, and bearing the sole responsibility for household chores.
Text 14: A Proclamation of Primo de Rivera’s Coup
Classification of Text:
- Type of Text: Circumstantial, political themes.
- Place and Date: Barcelona, September 13, 1923.
- Author: Miguel Primo de Rivera. He called reporters into his office and distributed copies of his manifesto. Miguel Primo de Rivera (1870-1930) participated in military campaigns in the Philippines, Cuba, and Morocco. He was Captain General of Barcelona during a period of serious social conflict.