Regency, Opposition, and Nationalism in 19th Century Spain

Posted on Oct 20, 2024 in History

The Regency of Maria Christina and the Turno System (1885-1923)

The Death of Alfonso XII and the Regency

The death of Alfonso XII in 1885 ushered in the regency of Maria Christina until Alfonso XIII came of age. Sagasta and Canovas reaffirmed the turno system, a power-sharing agreement between the Liberal and Conservative parties.

Sagasta’s Reforms

During his “long government,” Sagasta enacted political reforms, including:

  • Freedom of assembly, association, and the press
  • Abolition of censorship
  • Universal male suffrage (though the turno system continued to rely on electoral manipulation)

Opposition to the Turno System

Several groups opposed the Restoration regime:

  1. The Carlists: A residual force with minimal electoral success.
  2. Republican Parties: Advocated for democratization and social reforms, led by figures like Melquiades Álvarez and Alejandro Lerroux.
  3. The Labor Movement: Divided into:
  • Anarchists: The majority, forming the CNT (National Confederation of Labor) in 1910, advocating for a collectivist, libertarian, and anti-clerical ideology.
  • Socialists: A minority, forming the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party) in 1879 and the UGT (General Union of Workers) in 1888, with a more moderate collectivist stance.
Intellectual Opposition: Thinkers and writers who criticized the system and advocated for modernization.

Regionalism and Nationalism

In the late 19th century, nationalist movements emerged in Catalonia and the Basque Country, challenging the idea of a unified Spanish nation.

Catalan Nationalism

Following the loss of Catalan privileges, nationalist sentiment revived among the bourgeoisie. The Renaixença, a cultural movement, focused on reviving the Catalan language. Valenti Almirall founded the Centre Català in 1882, demanding autonomy. Unió Catalana (1891), a conservative party, drafted the Bases de Manresa (1892), outlining self-government. The Lliga Regionalista (1901), led by Francesc Cambó and Prat de la Riba, pursued autonomy and defense of Catalan interests.

Basque Nationalism

The abolition of Basque fueros (regional privileges) fueled Basque nationalism. Sabino Arana Goiri founded the PNV (Basque Nationalist Party), advocating for:

  • Basque independence
  • Rejection of Spanish influence
  • Basque ethnic purity
  • Catholic fundamentalism
  • Promotion of Basque language and culture

Galician and Valencian nationalism remained minority movements.