Spain’s Historical Timeline: Monarchy to Dictatorship
Constitutional Stages of Alfonso XIII’s Reign and Beyond
This document outlines the key periods in Spanish history, from the constitutional stages of Alfonso XIII’s reign to Franco’s dictatorship:
- Constitutional Period of Alfonso XIII’s Reign
- Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera
- Second Republic
- Civil War
- Dictatorship of General Franco
Key Concepts Defined
- Dictatorship: A form of government where power is concentrated in the hands of a single individual (the dictator), typically seizing power through a *de facto* government.
- Monarchy: A state where a person, generally through heredity, has the right to reign as head of state. Absolute monarchy can resemble a dictatorship, but a parliament may have symbolic power. If there is a separation of powers (legislative, executive, judicial), it is not a dictatorship.
- Republic: A state or country governed by representatives elected by the people. Citizens have the right to vote, granting the government legitimacy and sovereign power.
Essential Problems During This Era
- Religious Question: A trigger for crises during Alfonso XIII’s reign, stemming from the Church’s excessive influence on society and politics.
- Nationalism: Regions with languages other than Spanish felt the need for self-governing bodies to preserve their unique identities.
- Social Problem: Industrialization caused numerous problems, such as strenuous working hours and low wages.
- Moroccan Conflict: Initially seen as compensation for territorial losses in 1898, it became a significant drain on the country’s resources, both in terms of manpower and finances.
Who was Blasco Ibáñez?
Vicente Blasco Ibáñez was a writer and politician who controlled the Republican Party and gave it a very personal approach, to the point that *Blasquismo* became identified with Republicanism.
The Tragic Week of 1909
The Tragic Week refers to the workers’ revolt in Barcelona in July 1909. During this revolt, convents were burned, and attempts were made to prevent the embarkation of troops for the war in Morocco. The consequences included the fall of Antonio Maura’s government, which was replaced by the Liberal Party.
José Canalejas and the “Padlock Law”
José Canalejas, head of the Liberal Party, proposed the “Padlock Law” to reduce the Church’s excessive influence and limit the number of religious orders.
The Crisis of 1917
The crisis of 1917 was caused by three main problems:
- Military Problem: The endless war in Morocco, low salaries, and outdated promotion systems provoked military protests, leading to the government’s downfall.
- Political Problem: Political parties were deeply divided and tensions were high after the assassination of Canalejas.
- Social Problem: The Socialist Party called a general strike, which failed due to military intervention, fueled by fears of a revolution similar to Russia’s.
The Valencian Union Movement
The Valencian union movement was very active during the 20th century. Most unionists came from industrial centers and the countryside, belonging to the CNT (National Confederation of Labor) and the FRL (Regional Federation of the East), both of anarchist ideology. During the Second Republic, however, the socialist union UGT (General Workers’ Union) became the majority union.
Primo de Rivera’s Coup d’état
The coup d’état led to the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, a form of personal government that suspended the constitution and political parties, although it respected the monarchy. The dictatorship went through two phases:
- Military Directory: Government by military officials.
- Civil Directory: Government ministries formed by civilians.
Key actions of the dictatorship:
- Launched public works projects, including railways and roads.
- Created “Joint Committees,” composed of employers and workers, to prevent strikes.
- Ended the war in Morocco.