Primo de Rivera’s 1923 Manifesto: A Call to Action
**Primo de Rivera’s 1923 Manifesto: A Call to Action**
General Primo de Rivera commented: “Nature:** This paper is a fragment of the “Manifesto to the Country and the Army” of Miguel Primo de Rivera, who published the newspaper *The Times* on September 13, 1923, when the coup took place. Miguel Primo de Rivera is the author of this political document aimed at all the Spanish and especially the army.”
When he brought out the statement that would take him to power, Primo de Rivera was Captain General of Catalonia and had an intense military activity during the period of the Restoration. He had participated in the wars in Cuba, the Philippines, and Morocco. With this military coup, carried out without bloodshed and with almost no political opposition, he established a dictatorship that had the support of King Alfonso XIII, the bourgeoisie (especially in the beginning), the Catalan-seeking law and order to end gangsterism and terrorist attacks, the oligarchy, the Church, and surprisingly, a sector of the PSOE, the majority, led by Francisco Largo Caballero.
We can frame this letter at the beginning of his dictatorship that lasted from the year 1923 until January 1930, when he presented his resignation and was exiled to France.
This paper provides keys to examine the reasons for his coup and allows us to glimpse his political views. It is written in a bombastic and rhetorical tone, swelling with patriotism and the desire to “save Spain.”
**Key Ideas of the Manifesto**
Primo de Rivera begins his manifesto by justifying this military uprising since, in his view, the situation of the country required it. He is aware that his behavior is illegal, but notes that there was a public outcry that demanded an urgent solution to the serious problems, immorality, and misery that Spain suffered. In his view, all evil began in 1898, clearly alluding to the Disaster of ’98 which meant the loss of colonies: Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. Moreover, he considers that if he does not act, the situation will become even more dramatic, fearing a tragic ending. Perhaps a precursor to civil war?
He then launches a steely critique of rampant corruption, widespread, according to him, among the political class. He also launches his darts against *turnismo*, which as we know, was the existing system created by Cánovas during the Restoration. It consisted of the peaceful alternation between the two bourgeois parties, the conservative and liberal, and for that, its leaders, in collusion with the king, rigged the elections. Primo de Rivera, once in power, deleted *turnismo*.
Finally, he lists in detail all the problems in Spain, therefore clear, according to the author, the inept and corrupt Spanish politicians. He believes that the time has come to take power, implying that he is backed by the army and the Spanish people. He notes that “self-governance”, a clear reference to the army, “or civilian men” who share the same ideology. Among all the string of great evils that shake the country, he highlights: murder, robbery, embezzlement of public funds, the problem of Morocco, the “social indiscipline” and placing separatist nationalism and communism as two enemies to combat.
**Historical Context of Primo de Rivera’s Dictatorship**
Indeed, the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera came in order to solve all these problems. In fact, he appeared as the savior of the country and was called the “iron surgeon.” But he said he would only be in power for 90 days; they were eventually six years. This stage was characterized as an authoritarian political regime, with a government program of regenerationist, traditional, conservative, and Catholic cutting. It was furiously anti-communist and anti-separatist. He created a party to suit in 1924, the Patriotic Union, which he defined as “a political party but apolitical” and wanted to be the real backbone of his dictatorship. Paradoxically, he defined his system of government as a “democratic dictatorship.” This stage is divided into two periods: the first was called the Military Board, given the composition of his government (1923-1925) and the second, which initially coincided with the peak popularity of the dictator, “Alhucemas Landing (1925)” – runs from 1926 until his resignation, rather impeachment, in 1930.
**Key Features of the Dictatorship**
- Repression of labor movements (anarchism, communism)
- Nationalist press censorship
- Repeal of the 1876 Constitution
- Dissolution of the Parliament
- End of *turnismo*
In foreign policy, he focused on establishing relations with Portugal and Latin America. He wistfully admired the stage of the Spanish Empire, especially that of the 16th and 17th centuries. The economic level was the most hits he reported, coinciding with an international economic euphoria, called Belle Époque or the “Roaring 20s.” Primo de Rivera based his economic policy on extreme protectionism involving very high tariffs. He conducted an ambitious public works and water policy, while industrial expansion occurred and created large monopolistic companies (Telefónica, Campsa, Iberia, etc.). He also encouraged the creation of private enterprises. Rif African peacemaking, with French assistance, was also one of the most prominent and positive aspects of his dictatorship.
**The End of the Dictatorship**
Finally, the dictator was losing support (from the Catalan bourgeoisie, the PSOE…). At the same time, the economic situation began to deteriorate, which in this crucial sense, the negative impact of the crack in New York in 1929 and the high deficit of their protectionist policies. Sick and alone, he resigned, fled to France in January 1930, and died soon afterward. His successor, General Berenguer, could not or did not know how to steer Spain to a constitutional democracy. Berenguer, who was in power until February 1931, was replaced by Admiral Aznar, who called municipal elections on April 12, 1931, which were interpreted as a plebiscite between monarchy and republic. Finally, on April 14, the Second Spanish Republic was proclaimed, producing the exile of King Alfonso XIII, who would never return to Spain.
In conclusion, this manifesto, which is a historical source of the first order, shows the causes that led General Primo de Rivera to perform a coup and establish a dictatorship that lasted six years.