The Rise of Nationalism and Political Reform in Early 20th Century Spain

Posted on Oct 20, 2024 in History

1. Political Reform and the First World War

1.3. The Liberal Regenerationism of José de Canalejas

Tragic Week: After King Alfonso XIII appointed Moret as prime minister, the Liberals replaced him with Canalejas in 1910. Canalejas’s reforms included:

  1. The Padlock Law: This aimed to separate church and state by prohibiting the establishment of new religious orders.
  2. Replacing the consumption tax with a progressive tax based on urban wealth. This faced opposition from the landed gentry, leading Canalejas to instruct the conservative Dato to form a government, marginalizing Maura.

1.4. Spain and the First World War

Since Canalejas’s death, dynastic reformism lost momentum. The absence of strong leaders caused fragmentation within the parties. The Conservative Party split into the Mauristas and the followers of Dato. The Liberal Party also fragmented into various factions.

a) Spanish Neutrality in the Great War

Spain remained neutral during World War I, but the population was divided into pro-Allied and pro-German factions. The Church, army commanders, and the Royal Palace favored the Central Powers (Germany and Austria). Republicans, workers, and trade unions supported the Allied powers (France and England) or advocated for neutrality.

b) A Favorable Economic Climate

Neutrality led to significant economic expansion as Spain became a supplier of industrial and agricultural products. Increased foreign demand caused price inflation, but this also worsened the standard of living, leading to strikes and social unrest. World War I exacerbated social inequalities and created a climate of tension.

c) The Impact of the Russian Revolutions

The war fueled discontent, which the Bolsheviks exploited to seize power in the October Revolution of 1917. Labor organizations worldwide saw Russia as an example, while the bourgeoisie feared the spread of revolution and demanded action against the labor movement.

2. The Birth of Nationalism

Nationalist movements emerged in Catalonia and the Basque Country, initially identifying as regionalist before adopting the term ‘nationalist’.

Origins

Cultural movements, particularly during the medieval period, played a role in the rise of nationalism. Examples include the Renaixença in Catalonia and the Rexurdimento in Galicia.

Two main trends emerged within these movements:

  • Regionalism: This aimed to create autonomous institutions, as seen in Galicia and Valencia.
  • Nationalism: This sought greater autonomy or independence and became more prominent over time.

2.1. Catalan Nationalism

Catalan regionalism and nationalism developed in several stages:

  • The Renaixença: This cultural movement focused on reviving the Catalan language and culture.
  • Almirall and the Catalan Center: Valentí Almirall founded the Catalan Center, advocating for political autonomy and challenging the centralized power of the Restoration.
  • Prat de la Riba and the Unió Catalanista: Enric Prat de la Riba founded the Unió Catalanista, a Catholic and conservative organization that drafted the Bases de Manresa, outlining a framework for Catalan autonomy.
  • The Regionalist League: Founded in 1901 by Francesc Cambó and Prat de la Riba, this conservative, Catholic, and bourgeois party aimed to achieve political autonomy for Catalonia and defend the economic interests of Catalan industrialists. The League broke the turn-taking system in 1907, winning 41 out of 44 parliamentary seats. It remained Catalonia’s dominant party until 1923, controlling local governments and establishing the Mancomunitat, a regional administrative body. Catalan nationalism gained support among the bourgeoisie and peasantry.

2.2. Basque Nationalism

Fuerismo, a movement advocating for the restoration of traditional Basque rights and privileges, was the precursor to Basque nationalism. Rapid industrialization and immigration further fueled the movement.

Sabino Arana Goiri founded the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) in 1895, aiming to raise national consciousness and achieve independence for Euskalerria (the Basque Country). The industrial bourgeoisie of Biscay provided the social base for Basque nationalism.

Arana, from a Carlist background, established the ideological foundations of Basque nationalism:

  • Independence for Euskadi: He advocated for an independent Basque state encompassing seven territories, including four in Spain (Biscay, Gipuzkoa, Álava, Navarre) and three in France (Labourd, Lower Navarre, and Soule).
  • Anti-Spanish sentiment:
  • Exaltation of Basque ethnicity: Arana emphasized racial purity, discouraging marriage between Basques and Maketos (non-Basque Spaniards).
  • Catholic fundamentalism: He believed Euskadi should be founded on the subordination of politics to religion and the rule of the Church. The PNV’s motto was “God and the Old Laws.”
  • Promotion of Basque language and culture:
  • Idealization of the Basque countryside: Arana contrasted rural Basque society with industrial society.
  • Rejection of Spanish Carlism:

2.3. Galician Nationalism or Regionalism

Galician society remained predominantly rural in the early 20th century. O Rexurdimento, a literary and cultural revival movement, emerged, focusing on the Galician language and culture.

In the 1890s, the first organizational attempts were made with the formation of Galleguista Leagues in Santiago de Compostela and A Coruña. However, internal divisions and a weak social base limited their impact.

From 1916 onwards, the Irmandades da Fala (Brotherhoods of the Language) became active, starting in A Coruña and inspired by the work of Antón Villar Ponte.

2.4. Other Nationalist Movements

Minority nationalist movements with limited influence emerged in Valencia (Valencian Regionalist League) and Andalusia (Andalusianist theory).