Early 20th Century Catalan Politics: From Commonwealth to Dictatorship
Early 20th Century Catalan Politics
The Rise of Republicanism
The Federal Republican Party (PRC), founded in 1917 and led by Francesc Layret, Marcel·lí Domingo, and Lluis Companys, emerged in Catalonia. Francesc Macià founded the Catalan State in 1922. These groups formed the basis of the Republican Left of Catalonia, founded in 1931. Rafael Campalans, Gabriel Alomar, Manuel Serra i Moret left the PSOE to found the Socialist Union of Catalonia in 1923. The early 20th-century Catalan political landscape also included the anti-Catalanist Radical Republican Party, created by Alejandro Lerroux in 1908.
The Commonwealth of Catalonia (1914-1925)
The Mancomunitat de Catalunya project, initiated by Enric Prat de la Riba, began in 1911, culminating in the establishment of the Commonwealth of Catalonia on April 6, 1914. Prat de la Riba served as its first president. The Commonwealth government consisted of eight counselors. However, the Commonwealth’s powers were limited, lacking any significant cession of services or resources from the state. It primarily focused on the joint management of existing provincial council powers. Despite limited finances, the Commonwealth, led by Prat de la Riba until 1917 and subsequently by Josep Puig i Cadafalch, achieved notable progress in education and culture. It established the School of Nursing Administration and the Escola de Treball, and undertook public works projects.
The Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera (1923-1930)
Miguel Primo de Rivera, then Captain General of Catalonia, launched a military coup in 1923, which, while facing some opposition, was welcomed by many, including King Alfonso XIII. The bourgeoisie, advocating for regeneracionismo since the late 19th century, saw Primo de Rivera as the “iron surgeon” Spain needed. The middle classes, fearing a communist revolution following the rise of fascism in Italy and dictatorships in Portugal and Greece, also supported the dictatorship. Even the Regionalist League and the UGT initially joined Primo de Rivera’s ranks. The dictatorship unfolded in two stages:
1. Military Directory (1923-1925)
This military government, led by Primo de Rivera, suspended the constitution, parliament, and all democratic institutions, foreshadowing the later Franco regime.
2. Civil Directory (1925-1930)
Primo de Rivera created the “Patriotic Union” party, absorbing the administration and aspiring politicians. He also established the National Consultative Assembly, a pseudo-parliament. The dictatorship focused on infrastructure projects, including road construction and railway modernization.