20th Century Spain: A Tumultuous Timeline

Posted on Oct 22, 2024 in History

Reign of Alfonso XIII (1902-1923)

Protectorate of Morocco: The Algeciras Conference (1905-1906)

Tragic Week: July-August 1909

Influence of World War I (1914-1918)

Annual Disaster (1920-1921)

Wild-Berenger

Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera (1923-1930)

Military Directory (1923-1925)

Civil Directory (1925-1930)

Dictablanda Berenger (1930)

The Second Republic (1931-1936)

Pact of San Sebastian: Summer 1930

Social Forces:

  • Historic Republicanism: A. Lerroux
  • New Republican Left: M. Azaña
  • Socialism: I. Prieto
  • Catalan Left: Formiguera
  • Galician Regionalism: Casares Quiroga
  • Moderate Republicanism: N. Alcalá Zamora

Garrison of Jaca (Galan and Garcia Hernandez / Uprising 1931)

April-June 1931 Elections

Socialist Republican Biennium (1931-1933):

  • 1932 – Catalan Statute
  • Azaña’s Law (Military Reform of 1931)
  • Sanjurjo’s Coup (1932)
  • Land Reform Law (1932): Casas Viejas Incident, Castilblanco, Arnedo

Conservative Biennium (1933-1936)

Popular Front (1936):

  • Casares Quiroga (President of the Government)
  • Mola, Saliquet, Varela, and Franco

Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)

Cabanalega and Csgato

1937 – Bilbao, Cantabria, Asturias Mines, Battle of the Ebro

1938 – Battle of Teruel, Battle of the Ebro

1939 – Catalonia, Guadalajara

Republican Side:

  • José Martínez Giral (IR)
  • Francisco Largo Caballero (PSOE – 1936)
  • Basque Statute (1936)
  • PCE, PSUC, Barcelona (1937)
  • Juan Negrín (PSOE – 1937)
  • Exile of Azaña (1939)

Francoist Side:

  • Sanjurjo (1936) and Mola (1937)
  • National Defense Board (1936)
  • Technical Board of the State
  • First Government Cabinet (1938)
  • FET y de las JONS

Francoist Spain (1939-1975)

FET y de las JONS National Movement (1937)

Institutions:

  • National Jurisdiction (1938)
  • Constitutive Law of the Courts (1942)
  • Fuero de los Españoles (1945)
  • National Referendum Law (1945)
  • Law of Succession in the Head of State (1946)

Repression: Law of Political Responsibilities (1939)

Foreign Policy:

  • Anti-Comintern Pact
  • International Isolation: UN, Marshall Plan, NATO
  • Opus Dei Ministers (1957)

Political Immobilization (1960s):

  • Press Law (1966)
  • Organic Law of the State (1966)

Final Moments:

  • FRAP and ETA (1975)
  • Hassan II – Green March
  • Western Sahara

The Right-Wing Stage: November 19, 1933 – December 29, 1935

Alcalá Zamora appointed Lerroux head of a government composed only of radicals but with the support of the monarchists and the CEDA. Soon began the liquidation of the work done in the previous biennium. Thus, land reform stalled, canceling the expropriation of land to the grandees of Spain, the decrees of settlements, wage laws (freedom of contract) and also proposed an amnesty to the rebels with Sanjurjo in 1932. The government also alienated the government of Catalonia for the problem “Rabassaires” and on the other Basque nationalism, hitherto very conservative, sided with the opposition left by the rejection of the Statute. Meanwhile unemployment has increased: 446,000 unemployed in 1932, 700,000 in 1934. The influence of the CEDA in the Lerroux radical government and “the fascistic character” of Gil Robles’ group led to the PSOE, under the inspiration of Largo Caballero, to raise through insurrection as the only answer to the advancement of the right. The situation exploded when Gil Robles won entry into the three-member government of the CEDA on October 4, 1934.

The October Revolution of 1934: Asturias and Catalonia

The arrival of members of the CEDA government was interpreted by the Left as an open road to fascism. Therefore, the reaction was immediate. The day after the formation of the new government, on the initiative of the UGT and without the participation of the CNT, there were general strikes in the large cities that failed for lack of coordination and forceful response by the government (declaration of “state of war”). Despite this, in Catalonia and Asturias, events reached particular importance.

In Catalonia, the PSOE, the UGT, the Unió de Rabassaires, and other labor organizations tried to make the strike general with the approval of the Generalitat. But without the support of the syndicalist masses, the possibilities of resistance were minimal. Lluis Companys, President of the Generalitat, among the alternative of working with the Conservative government of Madrid, chose to head the insurrection and proclaimed on October 6 l’Estat Català (Catalan State) within the Spanish Federal Republic. The general’s troops in 24 hours Batet controlled the situation: the whole government of the Generalitat and Azaña, who happened to be in Barcelona, were also arrested. Largo Caballero and other members of the Strike Committee were arrested in Madrid.

In Asturias, the labor movement lasted several days, creating a genuinely revolutionary situation. Anarchists, communists, and socialists, united in the Workers’ Alliance, occupied the mining area and seized weapons from the barracks, and explosives factories and mines. Eight thousand miners occupied Asturias and proclaimed the Socialist Revolution by establishing a strict military and economic organization through the workers’ councils. The movement was crushed, after stiff resistance, by the army on October 17.

Consequences:

  1. 1934 was a prelude to civil war: army brutality in Africa, Franco’s leadership, testing of workers’ revolution.
  2. 1,000 miners killed, some 2,000 wounded, and 300 dead soldiers or guards. Thousands of detainees.
  3. The influence of the CEDA government increased: Gil Robles Minister of War, Franco’s chief of staff, suspension of political autonomy of Catalonia, restitution of property confiscated from the Jesuits… rightward.
  4. Confrontation between radicals and cedistas on death sentences and the enforcement of sentences.

However, it was the corruption that marked Lerroux and his followers (black market) which broke the radical-CEDA alliance. Under these conditions, in December 1935 Alcalá Zamora decided to hold elections by February 1936.

Autarky

Stage of the Spanish economy in the early days of Franco who tried to overcome the limitations of the international market (affected by World War II) and the restrictions imposed on Franco’s political-diplomatic allies. It sought to achieve national self-sufficiency by marketing the country’s own production, replacing imports of foreign material. It originated, as well as corruption, an acute shortage and famine, and this policy should be abandoned in the early 1950s.

Decree of Unification

Decree issued by Franco in April 1937, at the beginning of the Civil War, in which he unified the various forces that formed the nationalist side integrated into an organization called Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las JONS, which was under his leadership. Also known by the name of the National Movement and at first had a clear totalitarian and fascist content.

Confiscation

Legal concept which means that a set of goods are no longer amortized and become free property (you can buy and sell) and private. The confiscation was one of the processes that formed part of the Liberal Agrarian Reform in the nineteenth century and allowed property, rural and urban, the Church and the municipalities were privatized through public auction.

Annual Disaster

Location North of Morocco which gives its name to a terrible defeat of the Spanish Army in the summer of 1921 when he tried to occupy the area granted to Spain as a protectorate. The Spanish lines collapsed and their positions were destroyed. As the command was unable to organize the withdrawal, several thousand soldiers were killed and others were taken prisoner.

Alhucemas Landing

The military occupation of Northern Morocco (Rif) that had been assigned to Spain was made with great difficulty by the resistance of the Rif Kabilas. In 1921 there was a major Spanish defeat (the Annual Disaster). Solving this problem was one of the commitments of Primo de Rivera. In 1925 he decided to organize a strong army that landed at Alhucemas Bay in the heart of the Rif territory. The operation was, from the military point of view, a success and managed to defeat the tribes, whose leader Abd-el-Krim fled and surrendered to the French.

Civil Directory

A decree of December 3, 1925, replaced the Military Directory with a civilian government. But the Council of Ministers was still vested with the ultimate powers, including legislative, because that rule provided that the royal decrees approved by the Council would have the force of law. Primo de Rivera assumed the post of President of the Council of Ministers and Ministers of the Crown as joined together with General Martínez Anido (who had become famous for his more than strong repressive activity of gangsterism in Barcelona), as Vice President and Minister of the Interior, other civilians generally characterized by their technical expertise: Conde de Guadalhorce (Development), José Calvo Sotelo (Finance), etc.

Military Directory

On September 15, 1923, three royal decrees were issued. The first declared the Congress of Deputies and the elective Senate dissolved. The second temporarily suspended certain constitutional guarantees, confirming the declaration of war. The third formed the structure of the new executive, created the Military Board, responsible for governing the country, chaired by Primo de Rivera (who also had only one rank of Minister), with powers to propose to the King, with force of law, how many decrees have agreed for the good of the nation. The Board was composed exclusively of military officers: the President and, as a vocal, a brigadier general or equivalent for each of the military regions and a Navy admiral.

FAI (Iberian Anarchist Federation)

Underground group founded in 1927 by leading anarchists (Durruti, Ascaso, García Oliver) defended the revolutionary direct action, the collectives and sought to rid the large anarcho-syndicalist CNT union of any communist influence or reformist. During the Second Republic the members of the FAI ended up controlling the CNT, the moderates away. Their constant confrontation with the Republic (insurrections and wildcat strikes) weakened the libertarian movement, helped to radicalize other labor organizations and damaging to the regime itself Republican.

Popular Front

Electoral alliance of Republicans and workers’ parties (socialists, communists and anarchists), with a view to the elections of February 1936, sought to prevent the spread of right-wing groups. The electoral program included as a fundamental point of amnesty and rehabilitation of the accused in the events of October 1934. This alliance was able to obtain a narrow victory in the elections and the president appointed Manuel Azaña prime minister.

Mutiny of Aranjuez

The deployment of the troops of the French emperor Napoleon in Spain led to a deep malaise in the country which increased the unpopularity of the favorite Manuel Godoy. On the night of March 17, 1808, a rioting crowd opposite the Royal Palace of Aranjuez requested the dismissal of the minister and the abdication of Charles IV. The Prince of Peace was imprisoned and the King gave the crown to his son Ferdinand VII. More than a spontaneous popular riot, it has been interpreted that those events were a real coup, following a palace conspiracy inspired by the crown prince.

Pact of San Sebastian

Primo de Rivera had faced during their period of government conspiracies and attempts to various violent, very different sign, which sought to overthrow of power. All ended in failure. In 1930, Primo and fallen, the serious crisis of the monarchy the Republicans began to organize access to power. On August 17, 1930 in San Sebastian was in a meeting of leaders of different groups antidinásticos, including Catalan nationalists also included in order to design the future Republican Spain (guarantee of religious freedom and political choice Constituent Cortes and autonomous regions). It was an unwritten agreement, which meant that each participant were to interpret their own way. Basque nationalists, very Catholic and therefore faced with the gathering, did not participate in the meeting.

Tragic Week

Events in Barcelona in July 1909. To mark the shipment of reserve soldiers bound for the war in Morocco, there was a popular riot that led to violent incidents. The masses stormed and burned convents and churches and committed all kinds of excesses. The Government declared a state of war and sent the army to quell the uprising. The military action to restore order caused several deaths. Then he tried and shot the anarchist Francisco Ferrer, accused of moral instigator of the events, which caused great scandal and the collapse determined Maura government.

Stabilization Plan

The Stabilization and Liberalization Plan of 1959 marked a major change in Spanish economic life during the Franco regime. On the one hand, it avoided the financial bankruptcy that was Spain and laid the groundwork for what would be the great economic growth in the 1960s (development). On the other, it stabilized public finances, reducing expenditure, established a more realistic value of the peseta, which facilitated exports and ended with the looming shortage affecting the balance of payments.

Development Plans

Fundamental instrument of economic policy of the Franco regime, which allowed an impressive increase in national wealth. The plans were an indicative plan for the private sector and binding planning for public investment. There were three development plans: the first, 1964-1967, the second 1968-1971 and the third 1972-1975. With the approach of developing several Spanish regions met an intense process of industrialization.

Black Market

Term coined during the Second Republic after the names of two German Jews, Strauss and Perlo were introduced in Spain a trick roulette. It reached its true meaning in the immediate postwar period to designate, in those 40 years where most people spent a lot of hunger, with fraudulent material necessities to raise its price. This black market allowed big business and many unscrupulous accumulate impressive wealth.

Primo de Rivera, Miguel (1870-1930)

Member of a prominent military family, was born in Jerez de la Frontera in 1870. He entered the Military Academy and participated in the wars in Morocco, Cuba and the Philippines. In 1919 promoted to lieutenant general and was named Captain General of Valencia, Madrid and then finally in Catalonia. Being in this location gave a coup that ended the parliamentary system. Supported by King Alfonso XIII, ruled with full power and paternalistic way for more than six years but failed in his attempt to perpetuate himself in office. He resigned in January 1930 and was exiled to Paris, where he died in March of that year. He inherited from his uncle, Fernando, also an outstanding military officer, the title of Marquis of Estella. Father of José Antonio Primo.

Alcalá Zamora Torres, Niceto (1877-1949)

Politician. Seconded from very young to the Liberal Party, he held various ministerial portfolios with the monarchy of Alfonso XIII. Disappointed by the king’s support to the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, it happened to Republicanism. Participated in the Pact of San Sebastian, chairing its revolutionary committee. In April 1931 he was president of the provisional government of the Second Republic. Practicing Catholic, resigned when the Constituent Parliament approved the articles on the new church-state relations. In December 1931 he was elected president of the republic, a post he held until April 1936, when he was ousted by leftist parties. At the beginning of the civil war went into exile and died in Argentina.

Azaña Díaz, Manuel (1880-1940)

Politician and writer. Of a wealthy family, studied law and was a senior official of the Ministry of Justice. Devoted to politics, he joined the Republicans during the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera in 1930 and participated in the Pact of San Sebastián. When the Second Republic was proclaimed in April 1931 appointed Minister of War in the Provisional Government. In late 1931 he was elected President of Government, a position he held until 1933 carried out a comprehensive reform policy without attracting the support of the workers earned him the hatred of the Right. After the elections of February 1936 again became Prime Minister, but in May this year, dismissed Alcalá Zamora, Azana was elected President of the Republic. At the end of the Civil War went into exile in France and resigned the office of President, dying shortly afterwards.

Campomanes

Pedro Rodríguez Campomanes, Conde de Campomanes. Economist and politician in the reign of Carlos III. In 1783, he was appointed chairman of the Council of Castile, and from that office carries out its Enlightenment ideals. Intervened before the expulsion of the Jesuits and the reforestation projects of the Sierra Morena. He defended the free power of State and the Church (gift) advocated an agrarian reform that reflected in his Memorials adjusted. Similarly, attempts to promote the industry and free trade against the guilds, industry promotion popular (1774). He also chaired the Economic Society of Friends of the Country of Madrid.

Cánovas Del Castillo, Antonio (1828-1897)

Politician, writer and historian. He studied law in Madrid, where he began his political career in O’Donnell’s Liberal Union, for whom wrote the Manifesto of Manzanares. In the last stage of the reign of Elizabeth II held various ministries. He did not participate in the Revolution of 1868 and for the organized Democratic party Sexenio alfonsino, who defended a return to the throne of the Bourbons in the person of the son of Isabel II. After the pronouncement of Martinez Campos at the end of 1874 became the most representative political in the last quarter of the nineteenth century in Spain. Conservative Party leader, was several times prime minister. Was assassinated by an anarchist at a spa where you will see.

Carrero Blanco, Luis (1903-1973)

Military and political. Became a naval officer in Franco’s closest aide for more than thirty years. After holding various positions of trust, was appointed minister in 1951 and did not leave the government, while continuing his military career, where he attained the rank of admiral. In 1973 Franco was appointed Prime Minister, but six months later was killed in an attack by the terrorist group ETA.

Espartero, Baldomero (1793-1879)

Spanish political and military. Progressive liberal ideas, fought against the absolutists in the First Carlist War. Skillfully fomented divisions and Carlist controls Rafael Maroto attracted to the peace talks that ended with the Convention of Vergara (July 31, 1839), which ended the war. This political success exalted him (being of humble origin won several titles of nobility: Príncipe de Vergara, Duque de la Victoria) and was named regent of the kingdom in the minority of Isabel II (1840-1843). Attacked by the moderates, went into exile in England. Prime Minister on several occasions (1837, 1840-1841, 1854-1856), became so popular that in 1869 he even offered the Crown of Spain.

Felipe V (1700-1746)

First king of the Bourbon dynasty in Spain. Designated heir to the Spanish throne by Charles II, who had no children. His appointment sparked the War of Spanish Succession (see Charles II). Government centralizes New Decrees Plant, which snatched a self Aragón removing privileges institutions (courts). Besides being an imitation of the French model, the king was of that country, punishing the kingdom of Aragon for not supporting the war. Philip V named as his successor his son, Luis-Luis I, (1724) who died a few months, therefore, had to re-take the crown. Family pacts signed with France and is succeeded by another son, Fernando VI.

Largo Caballero, Francisco (1869-1946)

Spanish politician. Very young he joined the UGT and the Spanish Socialist Workers Party. He held various positions and in 1918 was appointed general secretary of the socialist trade union confederation. Concerned about the defense of workers’ interests collaborated with the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera. In 1931, after the arrival of the Second Republic, was Minister of Labour conducted an intense policy of social reforms. In 1932 he was president of the PSOE and encouraged the radicalization of socialism. Civil War started in September 1936 he was appointed prime minister. Faced with the Communists, left office in May 1937. After the war he was exiled to France, but was taken prisoner during World War II and spent several years in German concentration camps.

Práxedes Mateo Sagasta (1825-1903)

Liberal politician, a civil engineer by profession. From a very young member of the Progressive Party, was Member of Parliament. Participated in the Revolutions of 1854 and 1868 and this year was Minister. Chair of Government several times during the years of Democratic Sexenio. He was, along Cánovas, the architect of the Bourbon Restoration. As the leader of the Liberal party took turns in the office of President of the Government until his death Cánovas.