Spain’s Crisis: Monarchy Collapse and Primo de Rivera Era
Bankruptcy of Parliamentary Monarchy (1917-1923)
Alfonso XIII’s reign faced instability post-WWI. Economic crisis, social conflicts like the Bolshevik triennium, and the influence of the Russian Revolution led to violent strikes, particularly in the agricultural sector. Free trade unions emerged against CNT and UGT, mobilizing over 800,000 workers. Terrorism escalated due to the ‘fugitive law,’ resulting in 400 violent deaths in Barcelona in 1920. The Moroccan War caused thousands of casualties. Political weakness led to 13 government crises. Fascism was on the rise in Europe.
The Coup d’état
Alfonso XIII accepted a solution outside constitutional law. The coup aimed to restore public order, end the Moroccan War, address political corruption, and impose centralist nationalism. Public reaction was complacent, parties were too weak to resist, socialists and Catalan nationalists were in favor. Only anarchists opposed and were severely repressed.
Political and Economic Changes
Military Directory
- Suspended the constitution, dissolved courts, and replaced civil governors with military personnel to eliminate terrorism and strengthen public order.
- Banned political parties and condemned separatism.
- Repressed anarchism and communism.
- Disbanded municipal councils to regenerate local life.
- Restricted the use of regional languages to promote state nationalism.
- Achieved victory in the Alhucemas landing, ending the Moroccan problem.
Civil Directorate
Aimed to legitimize the regime by summoning a National Assembly to approve a new legal text. It gained support only from the conservative right and economic elites. Civilian managers were appointed as ministers, militarizing the administration.
Economic Policy
- Undertook major road construction, industrial development, and electrification.
- Implemented interventions and regulations to encourage domestic production and reject imports.
- Developed an ambitious water policy and created 7,000 km of roads.
- Established CAMPSA and telephone monopolies.
- Benefited from the global economic boom of the 1920s.
- Implemented corporatist policies with joint committees to regulate working conditions, reducing strikes but keeping wages stable.
End of Dictatorship and Monarchy
The dictatorship used censorship and judicial processes to suppress opposition. Relations with the king deteriorated after 1928. Old parties sought a return to constitutionalism. Military confrontations and the revitalization of republicanism led to Primo de Rivera’s resignation and exile. The Pact of San Sebastian ended the monarchy. General Berenguer’s attempt to restore the 1876 constitution was rejected. Strikes and increased unemployment led to republican victories, forcing the king to leave Spain.