Miguel Primo de Rivera’s Regime in Spain: 1923-1930
On September 13, 1923, Captain General Miguel Primo de Rivera seized power in Spain through a coup d’état in Catalonia. This event was facilitated by the strong impact on public opinion of the Annual disaster and the subsequent investigation known as the Picasso dossier. Proclaimed in Barcelona, Primo de Rivera presented his regime as the best way to restore social, economic, and political stability to Spain. As shown in Document 2, he expressed positive intentions for the country’s renewal. King Alfonso XIII appointed him Head of Government.
The Military Directory (1923-1925)
The dictatorship’s first government was formed exclusively by military personnel, a move that Cánovas would never have allowed. Its main objectives were:
- To abolish the Constitution of 1876, ending the doctrine of constitutional monarchy.
- To end *caciquismo* (political bossism).
- To develop new provincial statutes through the Municipal Statute of 1924 and the Provincial Statute of 1925, spearheaded by Minister Calvo Sotelo. This increased democratization and administrative powers.
- To establish a civic organization called the Patriotic Union, with an unclear purpose. It became the only party of the new regime but lacked a specific political meaning.
- To restore public order and suppress labor organizations, consisting mainly of peasants under the leadership of the Civil Guard.
The Military Directory ended in 1925, with its ultimate success being the victory at the Battle of Alhucemas, which led to the conquest of the Rif and the defeat of Abd el-Krim.
The Civil Directory (1925-1930)
In December 1925, the Civil Directory was established, composed of civilian members linked to the Patriotic Union. As shown in Document 2, Primo de Rivera requested the King’s approval for this transition from military to civilian rule. The main objectives of this phase included:
- The establishment of a new corporate regime, influenced by Italian Fascism.
- The creation of joint committees to regulate relations between workers and employers, supported by both the UGT and Catholic trade unions.
- The implementation of employment and social legislation aimed at improving workers’ living conditions, including housing and family support (1928).
- The creation of a National Assembly (1927) to develop draft legislation for the government, which, in 1929, sought a unified and centralized organization. This was widely criticized by liberals.
Economic Measures
The economic measures of the Civil Directory were based on authoritarian capitalism, characterized by:
- Strong protectionism to hinder imports.
- Regulation of production.
- Internal market and price controls.
- Encouragement of domestic production.
- Formation of monopolies to ensure the provision of certain services.
- Targeted investment of state resources to carry out its economic policy.
Document 4 illustrates aspects of Primo de Rivera’s economic policies.
The Fall of the Dictatorship
The attempt to perpetuate the regime led to increased criticism from various sectors:
- The Republican Alliance was formed in 1926.
- In Galicia, the ORGA (Galician Republican Autonomous Organization) was established.
- Disaffected politicians demanded a return to the constitutional system and supported the military conspiracy known as the *Sanjuanada*.
- Students created the FUE (University Student Federation) to oppose government projects aimed at promoting private universities.
- Military officers demanded that promotions be based on merit rather than seniority.
Faced with these difficulties, on January 29, 1930, Primo de Rivera asked military leaders if they still supported him. Receiving negative responses, he resigned and went into exile in France. Document 3 shows how Calvo Sotelo defended the dictator’s economic policy, considering his departure a mistake. Document 4 highlights the economic growth during Primo de Rivera’s rule, which generally resulted in positive balances. Finally, Document 5 features the Republican Ángel Osorio, who acknowledged the positive economic trend under the dictatorship, suggesting that opposing it had been a mistake.
Aftermath
Following Primo de Rivera’s resignation, Alfonso XIII appointed Dámaso Berenguer to power, who aimed to reinstate the 1876 Constitution, as Cánovas had done. However, after the dynastic parties had fractured, various political groups, including Socialists, Conservatives, and Republicans, united in what became known as the Pact of San Sebastián.