Primo de Rivera’s Dictatorship & The End of Spanish Monarchy

Posted on Feb 8, 2025 in History

Item 15: The Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera (1923-1930)

II. Agony of the Restoration Scheme (1918-1928)

After the crisis of 1917, the agony of the Cánovas system materialized in the creation of governments focused on social unrest and the increasingly violent “Moroccan Question.”

1). The Governments of Concentration

2). Social Unrest and the Labor Movement

3). The Moroccan Question

  • a. Spanish-African Politics
  • b. The Disaster of Annual
  • c. Impact of Annual

III. The Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera (1923-1930)

  • 1923: Conspiracy of the army and coup.
  • Miguel Primo de Rivera, leader of the uprising.

1). Factors Leading to the Coup

  • September 13, 1923: Coup d’état. Alfonso XIII supports it, proposed as a transition.
  • The factors linked to the coup address the 3 problems described above:
    • a. Political instability (a parenthesis to regenerate the country)
    • b. Social unrest (order against street violence)
    • c. Annual Disaster (against the criticism of the army, he returned to political prominence).

2). Social Support

  • It was accepted by the majority, the “neutral body” desiring to “restore order.”
  • Critical support from the Bourgeoisie.
  • Workers divided:
    • Collaborators (from PSOE and UGT)
    • Opponents (anarcho-communist trade unionists)

3). Military Directory (1923-1925)

Under the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, we can distinguish two stages, which we discuss below:

  • Phase of Military Government (8 weeks, 7 admirals and Primo):
    • Arises as a temporary situation.
    • Primo turns on this government.
    • Alfonso XIII submits all its resolutions.
  • Size of the Board:
    • 1). Suspends the Constitution and its guarantees.
    • 2). Tried to end the despotism: Replaces civilians with military governors (Decree of Incompatibilities).
    • 3). War of Morocco: September 1925: There was the landing of Alhucemas:
      • Principal success of Primo.
      • He stops at el-Krim.
    • 4). The Civil Directory (1926-1930)
      • Change in status to provisional creation of a “regime” (influenced by Italian Fascism).
      • Government formed by Primo (Chairman) and civilian members such as Calvo Sotelo in charge of Treasury issues, and F. Largo Caballero (PSOE) to directors of state, (a leader of the PSOE).
      • Creation of a single party: the Patriotic Union.
      • Achievements:
        • 1). Development of public works: Construction of roads, modernization of railways, construction, lived for a time as isture: national plans of cheap houses; exhibitions of 1929 (Seville-Barcelona), hydraulic works (dams, River Basin)
        • 2). Indicative state interventionism: to protectionism, state monopolies, in which there were a lot of wealth: power companies, telephone company and leasing company’s petroleum monopoly (CAMPSA).
        • 3). Corporate Structure “Italian” for labor relations.
        • 4). Socioeconomic transformation of the structure: Despite the announcement of “transforming Spain,” the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera did not transform the social and economic fabric of the country. Thus, the attempts at land reform and tax reform were abandoned because of opposition from the landowner and the rest of the rich sectors of the nation. When the crash of 1929 put an end to the good international environment, the backwardness of our country will be shown.
        • 5). The opposition and the fall of the dictatorship: the political support of the dictatorship were abandoning Paulat.
      • January 30, 1930: Primo resigns and instructed General Alfonso Berenguer to form a government.

IV. Conclusion: The Covenant of San Sebastian and the End of the Monarchy

  • August 1930: San Sebastian pact, objective: end Alfonso XIII’s monarchy, political forces, consisting of constitutional, republican, PSOE, regionalist. The Pact of San Sebastian was aimed at ending the monarchy of Alfonso XIII.
  • December 1930, Admiral Berenguer and Aznar then gradually return to the regime intends constitucional:
    • 1. General municipal elections
    • 2. Elections cuts.
  • April 12, 1931 and municipal elections, “Republican triumph in the major cities. Thousands of people proclaiming the Second Republic; Alfonso XIII fled the country.