Primo de Rivera’s Dictatorship: Military Coup and Civil Rule
The Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera
The Military Coup: In the spring of 1923, sections of the army showed their intention to topple the Liberal government. Primo de Rivera aligned with these groups and became the chief of the revolt. The parliamentary debate on the responsibilities of the Annual Disaster was never completed. On September 12-13, Primo de Rivera declared a state of war and issued a manifesto, promising to end terrorism, civil unrest, separatist agitation, and political use of the army in Morocco. The military coup was peaceful, with only a few intellectuals and the Communist Party opposing it. Anarchists of the CNT, PSOE, and UGT offered no resistance. Dynastic parties and the Catalan bourgeoisie sided with the dictatorship. The king accepted the ruling, ignoring the Prime Minister García-Prieto, and Primo de Rivera was appointed chairman of a military government known as the Board, in charge of governing the state. This marked the passage from a constitutional monarchy to an authoritarian system.
Two Stages of the Dictatorship
The dictatorship had two stages:
Military Directory (1923-1925)
Primo de Rivera presented his project as a provisional solution. He launched a series of measures that showed his intention to dismantle the previous system. He dismissed the presidents of the courts and proceeded to their dissolution; introduced martial law throughout the country until 1925; suspended certain constitutional guarantees (while the Constitution was not repealed); replaced civil governors with military representatives; and appointed military officials to municipalities, replacing elected council members with ‘vowels’ designated by drawing from different categories of taxpayers. Thus, all liberal politics were relegated, and the government was militarized.
Civil Directory (1925-1930)
The success in Morocco gained Primo de Rivera prestige and popularity, leading to the institution of a more stable and durable regime. In December 1925, the Military Directory was replaced by a Civil Directory. To this end, he formed a government composed of a majority of civilian politicians from the right and some military officials. However, the suspension of the Constitution remained, and the country continued to be ruled by decree.
Key Policies and Actions
- Political Problems: The Military Directory solved political problems by banning political party activities and creating a single-party government composed of patriots and enemies of disorder, with a populist and authoritarian ideological base. This was known as the Patriotic Union.
- Social Disorder: With the help of military governors, a harsh policy of repression was implemented against any act contrary to the regime. An armed militia subject to the Army, the National Somaten, was introduced to maintain order.
- Catalan Nationalism: The use of the Catalan flag and language in official settings was banned, and the political nature of the Mancomunitat was ignored, causing a reaction from Catalan nationalists like Francesc Macià.
- The Moroccan Question: To end the Moroccan conflict, the dictator launched a joint Franco-Spanish military operation, beginning with the landing of Alhucemas. This operation successfully subdued Abd-el-Krim and the Rif tribes. The two-year war cost over 25,000 lives and 5,000 million pesetas. The conclusion of this conflict was the most successful achievement of the dictatorship and reinforced the authority of the Army.