Political Instability in Spain: Reign of Alfonso XIII (1902-1923)

Posted on Jan 31, 2025 in History

Political Problems in the Reign of Alfonso XIII (1902-1923)

In 1902, Alfonso XIII reached the age of majority, ending his regency. From 1907 onward, the crisis of the party system entered a critical phase. His reign was unstable, marked by several distinct stages:

First Stage (1902-1907): The Division of the Parties

After the assassination of Canovas del Castillo, a leadership struggle ensued.

  • a) Among conservatives, Antonio Maura emerged as the new leader of the Conservative Party.
  • b) Liberals opted for a rotation of leaders.

The turnismo (alternation of power) resumed: 1902-1905 saw several conservative governments, followed by liberal governments from 1905-1907. Notably, the Law of Jurisdictions placed offenses against the army, the flag, and the country under military jurisdiction.

Second Stage (1907-1912): The Maura and Canalejas Era

The goal was to modernize the party and the electoral system within the parliamentary framework.

The Long Government of Maura (1907-1909): This period witnessed the Tragic Week of Barcelona. Campaigns were initiated in Morocco (1909-1927). In 1909, Rif tribes attacked Spanish forces. Maura decreed the mobilization of reservists, leading to revolts throughout Barcelona. A general strike against the war was called on July 26, 1909. Riots broke out, and the strike committee was unable to stop the rebels. The government declared a state of war and sent reinforcements. The repression was harsh.

Consequences of the Tragic Week:

  1. It led to Maura’s downfall.
  2. It marked a period of peace for the parties, but the Conservative Party fragmented.

The Government of Canalejas (1909-1912): After Maura’s failure, Canalejas ruled for three years until his assassination. Measures of his government included:

  • The “Padlock Law” forbade the establishment of new religious orders.
  • Conscription was implemented, and redemption in cash was suppressed.

Canalejas died in 1912.

Third Stage (1913-1918): The Era of Ideals

After Canalejas’ death, the parties fragmented further:

  • The Liberal Party split into factions led by Manuel Garcia Prieto, Alba, and the Count of Romanones.
  • The Conservative Party remained divided into two groups:
    • Maurists, followers of Antonio Maura, who defended a more authoritarian stance than a reformist one.
    • Those who were more manageable politically.

The Crisis of 1917

Three main problems characterized this crisis:

  1. General Revolutionary Strike: Worker discontent grew, with renewed demands and calls for the establishment of a Republic.
  2. Creation of Military Juntas of Defense: Army discontent led officers to form military juntas, demanding salary increases and an end to promotions based on seniority. Senior military commanders did not join the movement.
  3. The Parliamentary Assembly: Catalan nationalist discontent led to the closure of parliament and press censorship. A parliamentary assembly was organized, demanding an end to the turnismo and electoral fraud.

Key Events: The 1917 General Revolutionary Strike, a collaboration between the UGT and CNT, ultimately failed at the national level. The strike lacked support from peasants and the bourgeoisie, and the strikers were defeated by the army in three days. Leaders like Julian Besteiro were imprisoned. The crisis severely weakened the Restoration regime.

The Final Decomposition of the Canovas System (1917-1923)

Causes:

  1. The Political Crisis: The 1917 crisis led to coalition governments with ministers from all parties. Despite electoral fraud, no party achieved a majority.
  2. Social Conflict and Pistolerismo: In Andalusia, numerous riots occurred during the “Bolshevik Triennium” (1918-1921), notably strikes in Cordoba. In Catalonia, strikes were directed against “La Canadiense.”
  3. The Problem of Morocco: In 1921, General Silvestre initiated a military campaign to extend Spanish control in Morocco, leading to the Rif War of Independence (1921-1926), directed by Abd-el-Krim. The press and anti-colonial circles blamed high-ranking officials. A committee was formed to investigate the war.
  4. The Road to the Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera: By 1922-23, the Restoration political system was on the verge of collapse. The idea of a dictatorship gained traction in the press, with Miguel Primo de Rivera as a key figure. The government took no action. In 1923, Primo de Rivera staged a coup, and King Alfonso XIII entrusted him with forming a new government. The Military Directory (1923-1925) was born. The Constitution of 1876 was suspended. The decomposition of the Canovas regime paved the way for the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera.