Spain in Crisis: 1909-1917, Moroccan Conflict to General Strike
The Moroccan Colonial Conflict
Since 1900, Spain had consolidated its presence in Africa, establishing a Franco-Spanish protectorate in Morocco. Spain accounted for the territory of the Rif, an area of interest stimulated by potential economic benefits and the restoration of the prestige of the Spanish army.
In 1909, the Rifians inflicted a defeat on Spanish troops. Spain decided to increase the number of troops in the Rif, which led to a popular protest movement.
The Tragic Week in Barcelona
On July 18, at the port of Barcelona, the mobilization against the war in Morocco led to a popular revolt.
Incidents multiplied in the streets. There were clashes with law enforcement, and a strong anticlerical sentiment emerged. The authorities responded by declaring a state of war and sending in reinforcements. The violent events were quelled on August 2.
The repression that followed was very harsh. Antonio Maura’s government held 216 councils of war, which affected 1,700 people and issued 17 death sentences, including that of Francisco Ferrer Guardia.
The repression of the Tragic Week raised a storm of protest. Liberals and Republicans came together to finally secure the resignation of the Conservative government.
The Impact of the Great War
In 1914, the First World War began, pitting Germany and Austria against Great Britain, France, and Russia. Spain declared neutrality. This neutrality presented a tremendous opportunity for the country’s economy, as it exported industrial and agricultural products at high prices.
However, the prices of essential commodities such as bread and rice rose, worsening living conditions. Social unrest grew, leading labor organizations to organize protests that culminated in the general strike of 1917.
The Crisis of 1917
In 1917, Europe was experiencing social and political conflicts. In Spain, the serious difficulties of the Restoration political system, military discontent, and social unrest caused a public outcry of an anti-government character.
The Military Protest
The Spanish army had an excessive number of officers, and wage inflation had diminished their purchasing power.
This led to the creation of the Juntas de Defensa (Defense Committees), which demanded a wage increase and opposed promotions based on war merits. The government yielded to the demands of the Juntas, blaming them for their woes.
The Political Crisis
The Conservative government had been replaced by a Liberal cabinet that continued political corruption and decided to close the courts. In 1917, Eduardo Dato again assumed the premiership and refused to reopen the courts. The opposition demanded the formation of a government to convene courts to reform the political system and decentralize the state.
The royalist forces did not support the parliamentary movement, and the Juntas opposed this initiative, which disappeared without achieving constitutional reform.
The Revolutionary General Strike
In 1917, the CNT (National Confederation of Labor) and the UGT (General Union of Workers) threatened to call a general strike. The tension erupted after a railway conflict, leading to the declaration of a general strike. The labor forces demanded an end to the monarchy, the convening of a constituent assembly, and a transition to a republican system.
Significant incidents occurred as the government declared martial law and sent the army to quell the movement.