Reign of Alfonso XIII: Crisis and Fall of Restoration
Alfonso XIII (1902-1923) – Crisis and Fall of Restoration
1. Introduction
The initial phase of Alfonso XIII’s reign was marked by a spirit of regeneration and change, both within and outside the system established after the 1898 crisis (war with the U.S. and loss of colonies). A new movement, known as revisionism, aimed to modify the system to overcome its flaws and adapt to new social and political demands. However, the limited reforms failed to prevent the system’s gradual decline.
Alfonso XIII’s political leadership was significant. As king, he stood above the dynastic parties, assuming effective rule upon reaching his majority in 1902. The young king possessed an active, dynamic personality and a modern outlook, with interests in sports, travel, and significant economic investments. This seemed to herald an era of change, reform, and modernization initiated ‘from above’.
Alfonso XIII embodied a blend of 19th-century concepts and a European, modernizing spirit. Convinced of his political leadership role and the powers granted by the 1876 Constitution, he was unwilling to share sovereignty with the courts or relinquish his political prerogatives, particularly appointing and dismissing governments and commanding the armed forces. Consequently, he bore significant political responsibility for the unfolding events, leading to widespread opposition and ultimately contributing to the monarchy’s downfall.
A major contributing factor was Alfonso XIII’s military inclination, which led him to favor the army, exacerbating the existing conflict between civil and military powers.
The First World War (and the 1917 crisis) marked a new phase. Spain’s neutrality initially seemed promising, allowing it to play a disproportionately significant economic role in Europe. However, the export boom benefited only a few, while the lower and middle classes, workers, civil servants, and military personnel faced rising prices and shortages due to exports. The decline in workers’ purchasing power fueled social conflict, profoundly impacting the system and triggering the general crisis of 1917.
Alfonso XIII (1902-1923) and the Food Crisis
Introduction
The initial phase of Alfonso XIII’s reign was marked by a spirit of regeneration and change, both within and outside the system established after the 1898 crisis (war with the U.S. and loss of colonies). A new movement, known as revisionism, aimed to modify the system to overcome its flaws and adapt to new social and political demands. However, the limited reforms failed to prevent the system’s gradual collapse.
Alfonso XIII’s political leadership was significant. As king, he stood above the dynastic parties, assuming effective rule upon reaching his majority in 1902. The young king possessed an active, dynamic personality and a modern outlook, with interests in sports, travel, and significant financial investments. This seemed to herald an era of change, reform, and modernization initiated ‘from above’.
Alfonso XIII embodied a blend of 19th-century concepts and a European, modernizing spirit. Convinced of his political leadership role and the powers granted by the 1876 Constitution, he was unwilling to share sovereignty with the courts or relinquish his political prerogatives, particularly appointing and dismissing governments and commanding the armed forces. Consequently, he bore significant political responsibility for the unfolding events, leading to widespread opposition and ultimately contributing to the monarchy’s downfall. A major contributing factor was Alfonso XIII’s military inclination, which led him to favor the army, exacerbating the existing conflict between civil and military powers.
The First World War (and the 1917 crisis) marked a new phase. Spain’s neutrality initially seemed promising, allowing it to play a disproportionately significant economic role in Europe. However, the export boom benefited only a few, while the lower and middle classes, workers, civil servants, and military personnel faced rising prices and shortages due to exports. The decline in workers’ purchasing power fueled social conflict, profoundly impacting the system and triggering the general crisis of 1917.
This was a triple crisis – military, political, and social – contributing to the Restoration system’s disintegration. The military crisis began when the army, a key pillar of the monarchy, started questioning the system by intervening in politics. They formed Juntas. Dissatisfaction was highest among officers stationed in mainland Spain, who felt overlooked compared to those fighting in Morocco (the Africanists), who received faster promotions. The government attempted to dissolve the Juntas and arrest their leaders for contempt, but they refused to disband, enjoying the king’s support. Consequently, the government had to concede to their demands and officially recognize the movement in June 1917 (an unusual move, as military personnel typically lack the right to associate in most countries).
In response to the escalating tension, the government imposed press censorship and suspended constitutional guarantees and the courts. This authoritarian approach sparked widespread protests. Francesc Cambó, leader of the Regionalist League, convened an Assembly of Parliamentarians in Barcelona (July 1917) (political crisis), attended only by the left-wing opposition and some liberals. This assembly demanded the convening of Cortes Constituyentes, autonomy for Catalonia, and a reform program reflecting Spain’s multinational reality. However, the movement’s ideological diversity hindered its cohesion, and the Juntas’ support for the government led to the assembly’s dissolution.
Regarding the social crisis, workers’ organizations had previously campaigned for lower living costs and called a successful protest strike on December 18, 1916. The tense social climate and growing influence of unions led to the formation of a joint CNT-UGT action committee. Despite differences between socialists, who advocated for democratic reforms, and anarchists, who sought social revolution, the unions called for a revolutionary general strike on August 13, 1917. They sought support from some army sectors and parliamentarians, but it was not forthcoming. Although ostensibly protesting rising food prices, the strike aimed to overthrow the regime. Political mobilization swept major cities like Asturias, the Basque Country, Madrid, and Barcelona. The conflict lasted about five days, with the army suppressing the strike forcefully.