Spain’s Political and Social Crisis (1898-1931)
Spain’s Political and Social Crisis (1898-1931)
The Crisis of the Restoration (1898-1931)
Reformism and Dynastic Politics
In the spring of 1901, sixteen-year-old King Alfonso XIII ascended the throne. This coincided with a shift in leadership within the dynastic parties. The 1903 death of Conservative Party leader Antonio Maura solidified José Canalejas‘s position at the head of the Liberal Party.
Forces of Opposition
Republicanism and Lerrouxism
Republicanism, along with Catalan nationalism, formed the main parliamentary opposition in the early twentieth century. However, fragmentation weakened their electoral power. To consolidate, the Republican Union, led by Nicolás Salmerón, formed in 1903.
Carlism and Traditionalism
Following the death of Carlos VII in 1909, his son, Jaime de Borbón, became the new Carlist pretender. Post-World War I disputes led to divisions. In 1919, Juan Vázquez de Mella founded the Traditionalist Communion.
Workers’ Movements: Socialism and Anarchism
Socialists remained strong in Madrid and northern Spain, while anarchists dominated the Catalan working class and had significant presence in Aragon, Valencia, and Andalusia.
Anarcho-Syndicalism
Anarcho-syndicalists, prominent in the 1902 Barcelona general strike, focused on reducing working hours and increasing wages. In 1907, they created Solidaridad Obrera.
Catalan Nationalism and Republicanism (1901-1909)
The Consolidation of the Regionalist League
In 1901, the Catalan bourgeoisie founded the Lliga Regionalista (Regionalist League). Their program focused on achieving political and administrative autonomy and combating electoral fraud.
The Catalan Solidarity Coalition
Catalan Solidarity was a broad coalition of Catalan parties, including Republicans and Carlists, formed to oppose the Ley de Jurisdicciones (Law Courts Act).
The Impact of the Tragic Week in Barcelona
In 1909, social unrest, fueled by lingering resentment from the Cuban War, erupted in Catalonia, particularly in Barcelona.
The Commonwealth of Catalonia (1914-1925)
The Formation Process
In 1914, sustained pressure from Catalan political parties, especially those of the center-right, led to the creation of the Commonwealth of Catalonia—a union of the four Catalan provinces, with limited resources and power.
The Commonwealth’s Work
The Commonwealth focused on building infrastructure and public services to promote economic development and implementing a cultural and educational project.
The Crisis of 1917
The Impact of the Great War
Spain’s policy of isolation left it outside the pre-war alliance systems. This facilitated the declaration of neutrality by the conservative government of Eduardo Dato (1913).
The Decomposition of the System (1917-1923)
The Failure of Coalition Governments
The 1917 crisis ended the alternation between conservative and liberal governments. Coalition governments, including liberals, conservatives, and reformists, were formed. For the first time, the Regionalist League participated in a national government.
Social Unrest
Significant social unrest occurred in Barcelona between 1919 and 1923, fueled by post-war crisis. The Canadenques strike of February 1919 was a key event.
The Disaster of Annual
The defeat of Spanish troops under General Fernández Silvestre at Annual, Morocco, by Abd el-Krim’s forces resulted in over 12,000 casualties.
The Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera (1923-1930)
The Causes of the Coup
Miguel Primo de Rivera’s coup occurred within a broader Mediterranean context of dictatorships.
The Reorganization of the State
Primo de Rivera prioritized law and order, establishing a military directory to address the country’s problems.
Economic and Social Policy
Primo de Rivera aimed to improve the economy through state intervention and the creation of monopolies.