Conservative Reformism Decline in Spain: 1902-1917
The Decline of Conservative Reformism (1902-1917)
Alfonso XIII’s Reign and the Regeneration Attempt
The majority of Alfonso XIII (1902) began with a major crisis caused by the disaster of 1898. This led the dynastic parties (Conservatives and Liberals) to initiate a reform program to regenerate Spanish political life.
The Conservative governments of Silvela-Polavieja and Antonio Maura attempted, until 1909, reforms such as those of the Treasury, local government, and the electoral law. This attempt to stabilize the political system without destroying electoral despotism and corruption failed.
The Rise of the Opposition
While the Turno parties were losing influence, the opposition strengthened:
- The Republicans increased their electoral influence with the creation of the Republican Union and the Radical Party.
- Catalan nationalist groups achieved a broad electoral victory in 1907, thanks to a coalition called Solidaritat Catalana.
- Socialism (PSOE) and its trade union (UGT) consolidated their presence in Madrid, the Basque Country, and Asturias. Pablo Iglesias became the first Socialist deputy in 1910.
- The anarchists continued their actions. While some defended radical terrorist activities, others founded the National Confederation of Labor (CNT) in 1910.
The Tragic Week (1909)
In 1909, there was a deterioration of political life due to the popular uprising in Barcelona, known as the Tragic Week. The spark that started the revolt was the opposition to the recruitment of soldiers for the war in Morocco.
The uprising was crushed by the army, and the punishment was disproportionate (including the execution of the teacher and freethinker Ferrer i Guàrdia). These events led to the rejection of public opinion and the resignation of Maura. The king then ordered the formation of a new government under the Liberals.
Liberal Reformism
From 1910, the Liberals began a period of reform. José Canalejas attempted to strengthen the civil power of the State against the influence of the Catholic Church (promoting public education and limiting religious associations). He also initiated a degree of decentralization of the state, which resulted in the Commonwealth of Catalonia (1914).
The assassination of Canalejas by anarchists in 1912 opened a period of instability that led the Conservatives back to power after 1913.
The Crisis of 1917
Given the growing social problems, Eduardo Dato’s Conservatives ruled in an authoritarian manner, often closing the courts and ruling by decree.
Unrest erupted in 1917 when the economic situation created in Spain by the First World War caused a huge protest movement.
- The political opposition (Parliamentary Assembly of Catalonia) demanded the resignation of the government and the convening of the Constituent Cortes.
- Military groups organized joint defenses and clashed with government policy.
- The CNT and UGT trade unions called a revolutionary general strike, with the aim of overthrowing the government.
This situation of generalized crisis reflected the deterioration of social and political life. Although the government managed to suppress the strikes and reach agreements with the military, the political situation evidenced a serious political crisis.