Spanish Restoration & 1898 Crisis: 1875-1902
Oligarchy and Despotism: Politics in Spain, 1875-1902
The Restoration Period
This period is set in the epoch during which Maria Cristina was regent until Alfonso XIII, her son, could rule in 1902. The Restoration period saw a bipartisan government, with the Conservative Party under Cánovas and the Liberal Party under Sagasta taking turns in power.
Colonial Wars and the Crisis of 1898
Between 1875 and 1881, Cánovas pushed forward his project of military pacification in the northern peninsula with the Carlists and separatists in Cuba. Spain granted autonomy to Cuba, a general pardon, and a commitment to the abolition of slavery. However, the conflict persisted and resurfaced in 1895 with U.S. support. Cánovas limited individual rights, such as freedom of the press and expression. In 1881, the Liberal Party rose to power under Sagasta. His reformist projects promoted a policy of economic liberalization and outreach to workers. However, many reforms were halted when the Conservatives returned to power in 1884. The Basque Nationalist Party continued to gain significant Carlist support.
The Regency of Maria Cristina
In November 1885, Alfonso XII died, and his wife, Maria Cristina, assumed the regency for their son, Alfonso XIII. Cánovas and Sagasta confirmed their commitment to the Pact of El Pardo, which established the *turnismo* (alternation in power) political system of the Restoration. Between 1885 and 1890, the Liberals returned to government, bringing great stability to the country and giving a significant impetus to economic development. They expanded freedoms, such as the freedom of association, removed census suffrage, and created laws for economic growth and the expansion of railways.
The Crisis of the 1890s
During the 1890s, the monarchical parties faced a major socioeconomic and political crisis. Agriculture and livestock entered a crisis in the late 1880s, with declining production and prices. This situation provoked demonstrations and attacks.
The Colonial Problem and the Spanish-American War
The colonial problem intensified during the 1890s and provoked discontent towards the Restoration. U.S. economic interests had become entrenched in Cuba following the Peace of Zanjón. The pro-independence movement resurfaced in 1895, leading to armed conflict in the Philippines and Cuba. The Cánovas government attempted to appease this, and in 1897, Sagasta granted autonomy to Cuba. The U.S. entered the war, causing the destruction of the Spanish fleet in the Philippines and Cuba. The formal surrender was signed in the Treaty of Paris in 1898. Spain ceded Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam to the U.S. and recognized the independence of Cuba. A year later, Spain sold the Caroline Islands, the Mariana Islands, and Palau to Germany and the U.S., respectively.
The Regeneration Movement
The defeat in the Spanish-American War provoked a crisis of pessimism in Spain. This generated a reflection on the causes of the decay. The Regeneration movement and the Generation of ’98 were influenced by this crisis. The Generation of ’98 was critical of the Restoration system, proposing liberal reforms and aiming to eliminate *caciquismo* (bossism) and illiteracy. The leading figure was Joaquín Costa, whose writings had a great influence in the 20th century. He argued that the regime’s problems were oligarchy and *caciquismo*.
Conclusion
In 1875, Spain lived under the Restoration system, which came to its crisis in 1902 when Alfonso XIII came to the throne. Industrialization was weak, and the economy depended on the agricultural sector. More than half the population lived in very poor conditions and many had to emigrate. The delay was compounded by growing debt. During the First World War, Spain remained neutral, which helped create a favorable economic climate for large fortunes. However, the great profits were not used for public works or to make Spanish products competitive in terms of price on the international market. For the economy to improve, it was fundamental to modernize investments in the financing of companies. The state continued to accrue debt. Society remained divided into estates.