The Fall of the Spanish Monarchy (1902-1930)
Alfonso XIII ascends the throne.
The Reformist Dynastic Period (1907-1913)
The Turno System
Maura (conservative) and Canalejas (liberal), influenced by the Regenerationist movement, led reform attempts. Maura’s “long government” (1907-1909) aimed to create a strong state through a “revolution from above.” His reforms included electoral reform, social policies (National Institute for Rest and Sundays off), and greater executive independence from the Crown. He also sought to integrate Catalan regions. Canalejas (1910-1913) focused on political modernization, social reform, and limiting the Church’s power, leading to the Padlock Law. His social policies included replacing consumer tax with an urban income tax, military service reform, and improved working conditions. He also worked on the Law of Associations, which benefited Catalans.
The Opposition
The failure to capitalize on the 1898 crisis led to the renewal of opposition forces.
- Republicanism: Internal disagreements weakened the Republican Union (1903). Lerroux‘s Radical Party emerged with a demagogic, anti-clerical, and revolutionary approach, influencing Barcelona and Valencia’s blasquismo.
- Workers’ Party: The PSOE collaborated with other leftist forces. In 1909, an electoral alliance between Republicans and Socialists (excluding Lerrouxists) led to the election of their first deputy, Pablo Iglesias, in 1910.
Key Events
Colonial Policy and the Moroccan War: Spain’s entry into North Africa in 1906, the Algeciras Conference, and the Hispano-French Treaty of 1912 led to the establishment of a Franco-Spanish protectorate in Morocco. Driven by economic interests and the desire to restore the army’s prestige, Spain faced resistance from the Rif tribes, culminating in the defeat at the Battle of Annual (1909). The mobilization of reservists sparked protests.
The Tragic Week (Barcelona): Protests against the war and the Church’s social and cultural hegemony began in Barcelona’s port. A general strike escalated into clashes with law enforcement and attacks on religious establishments. The declaration of a state of war and subsequent repression led to arrests and executions, including that of Francisco Ferrer Guardia, accused of inspiring the events.
Political Consequences: The repression led to widespread protests. Maura’s support declined, and power shifted to the Liberals. In Catalonia, left-wing and Republican nationalism emerged, leading to the formation of the Nationalist Republican Federal Union (1910), the Republican-Socialist Party, and Melquiades’ Reform (1912). Lerrouxism fueled anarcho-syndicalism.
Labor and Social Conflict
Trade Union Expansion: The socialist UGT initiated labor unrest. A revolutionary general strike in 1911 aimed to address declining purchasing power, deteriorating working conditions, and demand an 8-hour workday.
Foundation of the CNT: In 1910, the anarchist CNT was founded, advocating for proletarian independence, worker unity, and the overthrow of capitalism. They employed strikes and boycotts, with key leaders like Salvador Seguí. The CNT was subsequently banned.
Social Legislation and Working Culture: Government regulations on working hours and conditions had limited impact due to poor enforcement. Labor organizations focused on worker education, establishing Ateneos Obreros. Anarchists founded the Modern School, and the PSOE established the New School.
The Dato Government (1914-1917), World War I, and the Crisis of 1917
Spain and World War I
Spain remained neutral, benefiting economically as a supplier of goods. However, increased profits did not translate into improved living standards. The Russian Revolution (1917) inspired labor organizations and heightened social conflict. The war’s end brought significant border changes in Europe, influencing Catalan and Basque nationalism.
The Crisis of 1917
Social tensions erupted into widespread anti-government protests involving various parties, the military, and labor organizations. However, the movement lacked a unified agenda.
- Military Crisis: Excessive officers, inflation, and discontent led to the formation of military Juntas demanding better pay and criticizing the government.
- Political Crisis: Dato suspended constitutional guarantees. The Catalan Parliamentary Assembly demanded an interim government and decentralization, but the initiative faltered.
- Social Crisis: Declining real wages led to strikes. The CNT and UGT issued a joint manifesto. A general strike was met with repression and martial law.
Consequences: Successive governments failed to achieve consensus. The National Government, including Maura and Catalan regionalists, was unable to implement reforms.
Decomposition of the Turno System (1918-1923)
Government and Opposition
Frequent government changes and reliance on emergency measures hindered reform. The army became the primary instrument of repression. Opposition parties lacked a cohesive program. The PSOE grew in strength, but the Russian Revolution led to the formation of the PCE.
Labor Unrest
Union membership, particularly in the CNT, increased. The “Bolshevik Triennium” in Andalusia (1918-1921) saw peasant revolts suppressed by the government. The Canadian Strike in Barcelona led to extreme radicalization.
Years of Pistoleros (1918-1923)
Radicalization and violence escalated. Employers hired gunmen to target union leaders and implemented lockouts. General Martínez Anido’s repressive policies in Barcelona further fueled the conflict. Dato’s assassination in 1921 highlighted the escalating violence.
The Moroccan Problem
Popular opposition to the colonial war and political mismanagement led to military failures. The Annual Disaster exposed the army’s disorganization. The Picasso dossier, investigating the disaster, was never presented to the courts. Primo de Rivera’s coup followed.
The Primo de Rivera Dictatorship (1923-1929)
Primo de Rivera’s coup in 1923 led to the suspension of the constitution and the establishment of a dictatorship. The dictatorship had two phases: the Military Directory (1923-1925) and the Civil Directory (1925-1930).
Causes of the Coup
The coup aimed to address the discredited constitutional regime and prevent democratization. Primo de Rivera promised to eliminate caciquismo and political banditry.
Reorganization of the State
The Military Directory suspended constitutional rule, dissolved legislative chambers, and militarized public order. The Unión Patriótica, a government party, was created. Collaboration with France led to the successful landing at Al Hoceima and the end of the Moroccan War. The Civil Directory attempted to institutionalize the regime through a National Consultative Assembly.
Economic and Social Policy
Goodinternational economic situation: promoting public works, approval of a Decree for the Protection of National Industry granting aid to companies incompetent c on the external market, granting of monopolies to large companies … This policy entails and caused the budget deficit borrowing.
We proceeded to the regulation of labor, creating the National Corporate O rganization that articulated industrial relations by creating joint committee s (equal number of employers that workers) whose mission was the regulation of wages and working conditions.
Opposition to Dictatorship
It was criticized by the parties of turn for excessive length and participated in military conspiracies as theSanjuana in 1926. The Republicans organized the Republican Alliance factions joined the movement. The confrontation of intellectuals played by such figures as Unamuno, very critical of the regime signed a manifesto against his policy. The opposition of academics provoked a student revolt.
Within the CNT had a confrontation between radicals and possibility. The first created the FAI (Iberian Anarchist Federation) idaria part of the popular uprising. The PSOE is in favor of the republic.
The Catalan issue became a dispute over the measures taken by Primo de Rivera and the liquidation of the partnership and the prohibition of Catalan Sardana and that made the scheme is seen as deeply anti-Catalanist Catalonia.
The fall of dictator
The initial consensus among different f monarchical and civil actions was crumbling, unable to find a solution to the regime toward a constitutional system. Alfonso XIII decided to withdraw the confidence of the dictator. General Berenguer responsible for replacement, but promised to return constitutional took place so slowly that the opposition expressed its discontent (soft dictatorship). The opposition is organized and Republicans, socialists and Catalan left signed the Pact of San Sebastian in 1930 to provide an alternative to the monarchy to be a provisional government for the future republic.
In February 1913, leading the last government of the monarchy by Aznar with a commitment to hold elections to the Constituent Cortes.