Primo de Rivera’s Dictatorship in Spain: 1923-1931
Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera: The Coup
Led by Primo de Rivera, the Captain General of Catalonia, an anti-government conspiracy was constituted. Two nuclei participated: the Africanist Generals and the second, directed by Primo de Rivera, determined to end social unrest. He explained his intentions in “Manifesto to the Country and the Army” with a regenerationist program that would urgently solve the problems, such as terrorism. Alfonso XIII triumphed without resistance, accepted the coup, and Primo de Rivera was named President and Minister of a Directory.
Military Directory: First Steps
Appointment of a temporary government made up exclusively of military consultants and a declaration of martial law (military authorities assumed power).
Political Measures
- Liquidation of the parliamentary system.
- Repression of conflict with the prohibition of strikes and radical unionism.
- Repression of Catalan nationalism (dissolution of the Commonwealth of Catalonia).
- Reform of the administration, pretending to end the connection with chieftaincy by appointing military personnel to the posts of provincial governors and mayors, and the approval of the status of municipal and provincial status.
Solution to the Moroccan Problem
After the successful landing of Alhucemas, Abd-el-Krim was defeated and the conflict was resolved. After definitively curbing social unrest and achieving success in Morocco, Primo de Rivera decided to stay in power.
Civil Directory (1925-1930)
Primo de Rivera incorporated civilians into his directory with the aim of establishing a regime inspired by dictators like Mussolini in Italy.
Political Actions: Attempts to Institutionalize a New System
- Foundation of a single party.
- Meeting of a consultative National Assembly proposing a draft of a new constitution of a corporate character.
Social Measures
To prevent social unrest.
Economic Development
It was characterized by state interventionism and economic nationalism to achieve the momentum of the domestic industry and the momentum of public works such as railways and roads. The result was increased production and employment.
The Crisis of the Dictatorship
The dictatorship began to lose support and the opposition became stronger due to:
- Army discontent due to changes in the promotion process.
- The dynastic parties.
- Republican and nationalist parties.
- Labor unions.
- Intellectuals and the student movement called for strikes and demonstrations.
End of the Dictatorship (1930-1931)
Resignation of Primo de Rivera
It happened due to the growing opposition and the first symptoms of the economic crisis of 1929.
The “Soft Dictatorship”
The king was responsible for forming a new government under General Berenguer, but the monarchy had been delegitimized by punishing the dictatorship, and most of the opposition rejected the proposal, demanding a change of regime. A revolutionary committee was established to overthrow the monarchy by a military uprising and a general strike. The Republicans rose in Jaca and Cuatro Vientos, but failed. Its leaders were executed and the revolutionary committee was imprisoned, causing social indignation and Berenguer’s resignation.
Downfall of the Monarchy
The new government of Admiral Aznar called for municipal elections in which the Republican candidates won in all the big cities.