The Tragic Week: Revolution and Repression in Barcelona (1909)
The Tragic Week (1909) and the 1917 Crisis in Spain
3. The Rif War and its Aftermath
3.1 The Conflict in Colonial Morocco
The Algeciras Conference (1906) and the subsequent Franco-Spanish Treaty (1912) established a French protectorate in Morocco and a Spanish one in the Rif region (northern zone). Spain aimed to pacify and organize the Rif, seeking economic benefits, restoring the army’s prestige after the Cuban disaster, and regaining its colonial presence. However, the Spanish presence was met with continuous attacks by the Riffians, organized into kabyles. In 1909, Spanish troops suffered a major defeat at the Barranco del Lobo, with heavy casualties. The decision to increase troop numbers, primarily with reservists from Barcelona, sparked widespread protests.
3.2 The Tragic Week of Barcelona (1909)
The Tragic Week began on July 18, 1909, at the port of Barcelona during the embarkation of troops for Morocco. A strike committee, comprising republicans, socialists, and anarchists, called for a general strike on July 26. The strike escalated into a popular revolt, fueled by accumulated social tensions. Barricades were erected, confrontations with law enforcement ensued, and a strong anticlerical sentiment emerged, leading to the burning of religious centers. Authorities declared a state of war, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries. The lack of coordination and uncontrolled actions of certain groups exacerbated the violence, which lasted until August 2. The government’s subsequent repression was harsh, with military tribunals issuing death sentences, including that of Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, founder of the Modern School. The repression sparked widespread protests, with liberals and republicans demanding the government’s resignation. King Alfonso XIII dissolved Parliament and transferred power to the liberals.
3. The Impact of the Great War (1914-1918)
World War I erupted under the conservative government of Eduardo Dato, who declared Spanish neutrality. This neutrality presented economic opportunities, as Spain exported industrial and agricultural products to the warring nations at high prices. However, domestic prices soared due to increased exports, while wages stagnated, leading to social unrest and trade union protests, culminating in the 1917 general strike.
3.4 The Crisis of 1917
The year 1917 witnessed social and political conflicts across Europe, including the fall of Tsarism and the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia. In Spain, the Restoration system faced serious challenges, with military discontent and social unrest leading to widespread anti-government protests.
Military Protest
The Spanish army had an excessive number of officers relative to soldiers, and promotions were often based on merit rather than seniority. Inflation eroded the value of already low military wages. Discontent among officers led to the formation of the Juntas de Defensa, which demanded pay raises and merit-based promotions, opposing war as the sole criterion for advancement.
Political Crisis
The political situation was dire. Dato’s conservative government was replaced by a liberal one, which continued the old practices of political corruption. Dato returned to power, and in mid-June, an opposition delegation called for the reopening of the Cortes, which the government refused, increasing press censorship. The Regionalist League organized an assembly in Barcelona, demanding the convening of Parliament to reform the political system and decentralize the country. The government banned and then dissolved the assembly. The parliamentary motion failed, achieving no constitutional reform.
The Revolutionary General Strike
In 1917, the CNT and UGT trade unions issued a joint manifesto urging the government to control prices, threatening a general strike. Following a rail dispute in Valencia, the UGT, supported by the PSOE, called a general strike. The protest took on a political and revolutionary dimension, demanding an end to the monarchy, a provisional government, and a constituent assembly to establish a republic. The strike’s impact varied across the country, with major incidents in Madrid, Barcelona, Asturias, and the Basque Country. The government responded with repression, declaring martial law and deploying the army. The general strike ultimately failed, lacking broad support, but it further weakened the regime, pushing the Restoration system into its final crisis.