Spain’s First Republic and Primo de Rivera’s Dictatorship: A Historical Analysis
The First Spanish Republic (1873-1874)
A) Public Nature: The First Spanish Republic was established through public guidelines intended for provincial governors. The Ministry of the Interior drafted these legal and administrative texts. Circulars of a public nature were issued. These documents usually only have historical value, referring to the situation in Spain following the departure of the House of Savoy. The proclamation of the Republic, though considered illegal by some, was seen as the only solution.
C) The Proclamation of the Republic: Even if it was deemed illegal, after the departure of the House of Savoy, the Republic was proclaimed as the only solution to the existing problems. Estanislao Figueras became the first president. The Republic initially possessed little support, primarily from workers and peasants attracted by the possibility of abolishing consumption taxes and conscription, improving wages, and land redistribution. The bourgeoisie loathed it. Elections were held, and the Republicans won, leading to the creation of a new constitution. The new president, Pi i Margall, wanted a federalist constitution. The Republic did not last long due to strikes enforced by the International Workingmen’s Association (AIT) and cantonalist movements (independent small communities, such as Cartagena and Alicante). Margall resigned, and General Nicolás Salmerón, a military figure, was elected. He suppressed the cantons and later resigned. Emilio Castelar was then elected but was defeated, and General Manuel Pavía dissolved Parliament without resistance. The government was handed over to General Francisco Serrano, establishing a military regime. To prevent the Republic from becoming chronic, General Martínez Campos proclaimed Alfonso XII king, following the publication of the Sandhurst Manifesto, which outlined his vision for a new Catholic and conservative monarchy.
Primo de Rivera’s Dictatorship (1923-1930)
The situation began with the bitter years of a general crisis. Thousands of companies closed, Cánovas’s bipartisanship ended, and numerous strikes occurred. There was a boom in gangsterism, law enforcement leaks, and the impotence of social services before the influenza pandemic that began in 1918. Spain initiated an expansion in Morocco. The first incident occurred in the Barranco del Lobo, where reservists were mobilized. After General Silvestre’s reckless actions, the Rif region was occupied, leading to the Disaster of Annual. All these matters conditioned the environment for a coup d’état.
Miguel Primo de Rivera staged a coup d’état in Barcelona on September 13, 1923. The king handed over power to a government formed by Primo de Rivera. He created a military directory with eight generals, one for each military region, and the army occupied the entirety of Spanish politics. Alfonso XIII supported and became responsible for the dictatorship. Primo de Rivera admired Mussolini’s fascism and intended to deviate from the country’s constitution to restore order, ultimately aiming for a democratic regime. He wanted to eliminate the dictatorship through military despotism, but it became known as the “iron surgeon” due to widespread corruption. He aimed to regenerate Spanish politics.
Stages of the Dictatorship:
- The Military Directory: Primo de Rivera believed that the existing problems could be solved by ending the previous system. He created the National Militia, whose function was to preserve justice and peace. He also implemented harsh repression against nationalism.
- The Civil Directory: He wanted to revive the country economically by defeating *caciquismo* (local political bossism) and the oligarchy. He aimed to increase national income by investing in infrastructure and creating monopolies operated by the state. He managed to reduce illiteracy and improve the conditions of the working class.
- Decomposition Stage: Republican intellectuals, universities, students, and nationalists were pressed against the dictatorship. The labor movement and military discontent in the Peninsula were also significant factors.
- End of the Dictatorship: Primo de Rivera resigned in 1930 due to the lack of unconditional military support, economic factors, and the depreciation of his politics and ideology.