Primo de Rivera’s Dictatorship: Origins, Policies, and Fall
The Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera
The Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera lasted for seven years and consisted of two distinct forms of government: the Military Directory (1923-1925) and the Civil Directorate (1925-1930).
The Military Directory (1923-1925)
The Military Directory was presented as an interim regime aimed at resolving pending issues. It focused on institutionalizing the regime and addressing economic and social concerns. The coup was justified by claiming that the constitutional system was blocked and discredited, and that there was a significant risk of social revolution. It was also presented as a way to prevent potential reforms that could threaten certain sectors and social interests.
Following the coup, the regime was reorganized. The initial measures of the Military Board demonstrated its dictatorial nature, including:
- Suspension of constitutional rule
- Dissolution of the legislative chambers
- Removal of civil authorities
- Prohibition of political party and trade union activities
To consolidate power, a Municipal and Provincial Statute was developed. Councils were dissolved and replaced by boards of associated members.
The regime advocated a new form of politics and launched a new party, the Patriotic Union. This government party lacked a specific ideological agenda and aimed to garner social support for the dictatorship. Its members were drawn from Catholic circles.
The Civil Directorate (1925-1930)
From 1925, a policy of collaboration with France began, influenced by coordinated military action. This collaboration resulted in the successful Alhucemas landing. By 1927, Spanish troops had effectively terminated the occupation of the Protectorate.
The dictatorship benefited from the favorable international economic climate of the 1920s. This period was characterized by political nationalism and state interventionism, combined with a boost to industrial development in the investment goods sectors. The state played a significant role by promoting public works and enacting a Decree on the Protection of National Industry.
Monopolies were granted, such as the telephone monopoly to the National Telephone Company of Spain (CTNE) and the exclusive rights to import, refine, distribute, and sell oil to CAMPSA. This led to a noticeable increase in the budget deficit, with government borrowing in 1929 being seven times higher than in 1924, although this was concealed by official accounting practices.
The dictatorship implemented a labor regulation model that integrated moderates and repressed more radical organizations. This involved establishing the National Corporate Organization, which regulated labor relations and created committees composed of equal numbers of workers and employers. Their mission was to stabilize wages and working conditions.
Alfonso XIII chose to accept Primo de Rivera’s resignation in January 1930. General Berenguer replaced him, but the opposition and public opinion expressed their dissatisfaction with what they termed the “dictablanda” (soft dictatorship).
In February 1931, the last government of the monarchy was formed, headed by Admiral Aznar.
Key Events
- 1923: Primo de Rivera launches a coup with the consent of King Alfonso XIII.
- 1925 September: Personally leads the Alhucemas landing in North Africa.
- December: The Military Directory is replaced by the Civil Directory.
- 1926: Sanjuanada, a revolt against his dictatorship, fails.
- 1927: The war in Morocco ends. The National Consultative Assembly is convened.
- 1929: A draft constitution is written but never adopted.
- 1930 January: Primo de Rivera presents his resignation to the king.
- March: Primo de Rivera dies in Paris, where he had been exiled, on the 16th.