Spain’s Restoration Period: Politics and Society
The Restoration Period in Spain (1874-1931)
If these measures resulted in the expected outcome, resorting to “rigging” is, in other words, to vote on behalf of deceased neighbors. The change in power was predetermined by the tacit agreement between the political and social powers that possessed it; that is, by what is called “the oligarchy and *caciquismo*.”
The oligarchy was formed by political leaders of both parties, related to landowners and the wealthy bourgeoisie. At their service was the *cacique*, a person of great economic power in the area, and they used their political power to dominate the residents of their area of influence.
In 1885, upon the death of King Alfonso XII, thanks to the Pact of El Pardo between Cánovas and Sagasta, continuity was ensured through the regency of Maria Christina of Habsburg.
Although *caciquismo* occurred throughout Spain, it was most deeply rooted in Andalusia.
Domestic Policy Goals and Achievements
Social peace was the chief domestic policy goal of the Restoration. To achieve this, Cánovas sought to reach an agreement with the major powers of the nation: the army and the Church.
- The military and the throne were reunited after discrepancies during the *Sexenio Democrático* (1868-1874).
- The Church and State were reconciled with the re-establishment of the denominational nature of the latter.
The fundamental achievements of Cánovas’ system were the termination of the Third Carlist War and peace in Cuba, achieved in 1878 thanks to the Pact of Zanjón.
Key Political Issues of the Restoration
Among the substantive political issues raised by the Restoration system include:
- The survival of the Republican model of state as an alternative to the monarchy. However, the Republican Party was weakened by internal divisions and would only be strengthened in the first third of the 20th century.
- The development and maturation of the labor movement and the political parties and unions that supported it.
- Finally, the intensification of regionalist and nationalist currents.
Rise of Opposition and Nationalism
Since the Liberals came to power with Sagasta in 1881, the opposition parties gained some momentum. In 1887, the right of association and assembly was approved. Universal male suffrage was achieved in 1890.
Socialism gave birth to the UGT (General Union of Workers) in 1888. From then on, the impossibility of agreeing with the anarchists consumed when, in 1911, they founded the CNT (National Confederation of Labor).
Catalan Nationalism
It is also important to highlight the rise of nationalist sentiment across Europe in the second half of the 19th century, leading to Spanish nationalists, supported by businessmen (Güell), artists, and intellectuals (Gaudí), to formulate Catalan nationalism.
The *Renaixença* is configured as a movement that understood that culture, language, literature, history, traditional institutions, and customs were the best signs of Catalan identity.
This Catalan cultural movement was the antecedent of the first Catalan nationalist party, the *Lliga Regionalista*, which was formed on the basis of the Bases of Manresa (1892).
Basque Nationalism
In 1895, the Basque Nationalist Party was founded with an inclusive attitude, identified with the defense of Carlism and *fueros* (regional privileges).
Andalusian Nationalism
Andalusian nationalism has its roots in the Republican cantonal movement of 1873. For Blas Infante, recognized as the “father of the Andalusian homeland,” this date represented a milestone in the formation of awareness of the Andalusian tradition, along with the *juntista* movement and the political development of the region. In January 1918, the First Andalusian Congress was held in Ronda, adopting a flag and anthem as an expression of Andalusian regional identity.