The Fall of the Spanish Monarchy and the Rise of the Second Republic
I. The Primo de Rivera Dictatorship
I.4 Scheme to the Institution
After three years in power, Primo de Rivera, unwilling to return to military life, considered a reorganization of the state and constitutional reform. He convened a National Consultative Assembly to discuss this reform, seeking legitimacy through a plebiscite, which included women’s participation for the first time.
In 1927, a single-chamber assembly with government-appointed delegates met. The dictator announced a new policy agenda and appointed a constitutional committee to prepare a draft constitution.
I.5 Crisis and End of the Dictatorship
I.5.1 Failure of the Institutional Process
The Consultative Assembly, composed of members directly or indirectly elected by the government, failed to integrate the regime’s opponents. Working within committees, they could only address government-raised issues with limited speaking time. The drafted constitution pleased neither Primo de Rivera nor King Alfonso XIII. The dictator desired a single chamber independent of executive power with corporate representation, alongside increased royal authority, which the King deemed too dangerous.
I.5.2 Political and Social Opposition
As the dictatorship prolonged, growing opposition emerged from both the old Restoration parties and progressive sectors:
- Old Guard Politicians: Believing the regime’s end was near, they openly opposed the dictatorship, fighting against despotism and oligarchy. Sánchez Guerra, a key figure, went into exile.
- Republicans: Despite the “Alianza Republicana” covenant (1926), they faced disunity. Azaña represented a more active and less tolerant form of republicanism.
- Intellectuals: Figures like Valle Inclán, Unamuno, Blasco Ibáñez, and later, Azorín and Ortega y Gasset, criticized the dictator. Tensions escalated with the dismissal of the University of Madrid’s board, magazine closures, and suppression of Catalan language.
- Students: Joining intellectual protests, they opposed the 1928 University Reform Law favoring religious education, leading to incidents, university closures, and decreased enrollment.
- The Army: Initial opposition stemmed from various reasons. From 1925-26, it coordinated with political opposition, resulting in an attempted uprising and arrests. Military reforms, including merit-based promotions, the creation of the Military Academy under General Franco, and officer reductions, fueled further discontent.
I.5.3 Resignation of Primo de Rivera
Amid opposition and criticism, a military conspiracy (Sánchez Guerra) in early 1929, though unsuccessful, exposed the regime’s fragility. Attempts to broaden representation in the Assembly failed. The 1929 economic crisis, the falling peseta, social unrest, and military conspiracies added to the pressure. After a lukewarm response from Captains General regarding their support, Primo de Rivera resigned on January 28, 1930, dying two months later in Paris.
II. The Fall of the Monarchy and the Rise of Republicanism
II.a The “Soft Dictatorship” of General Berenguer
Following Primo de Rivera’s resignation, restoring constitutional normalcy proved challenging. Alfonso XIII appointed General Dámaso Berenguer as Prime Minister, but Spain demanded political change. The monarchy’s collapse stemmed not only from the dictatorship but also from Berenguer’s transactional approach. His slow return to law (“soft dictatorship”), anachronistic policies, and reliance on outdated caciquismo alienated many, fueling anti-monarchist sentiment.
The republican idea gained support from the middle classes, leading to the 1930 Pact of San Sebastián. This pact united various republican factions and political forces outside the system, forming a Revolutionary Committee to achieve regime change.
Socialists planned a general strike in October, aiming to support military action. Intellectuals joined a “Service Group of the Republic” following a statement by José Ortega y Gasset. Anti-monarchist sentiment grew within the military, leading to unsuccessful uprisings, including the Jaca uprising and the Cuatro Vientos airfield takeover attempt by General Queipo de Llano, hampered by Socialist indecision.
These events led to the arrest of key figures like Niceto Alcalá Zamora, Largo Caballero, and Fernando de los Ríos. Berenguer’s attempt to call general elections in late 1930 failed when political parties demanded prior municipal elections to ensure fairness. He resigned.
II.b The Government of Admiral Aznar
In mid-February 1931, a new Council of Ministers, composed of prominent monarchists under the Count of Romanones, was formed. Municipal elections were announced for April 12, followed by general elections. The Republican-Socialist opposition agreed to participate, framing it as a plebiscite on the monarchy.
The anti-monarchist victory in major cities sealed the monarchy’s fate. Alfonso XIII’s support for Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship and the ineffective responses of Berenguer and Aznar proved costly.