Primo de Rivera’s Dictatorship: Military Rule & Civil Directory
Primo de Rivera’s Dictatorship: Coup and Military Directory
On September 13, 1923, Miguel Primo de Rivera published a manifesto in which he proposed the establishment of a military board to achieve the salvation of the country. Alfonso XIII found this a good start to solve the problems Spain was suffering and appointed him as Chairman of the Military Board of Ministers. This involved the removal of constitutional institutions and the suspension of political parties and trade unions.
The state of war was declared, so that the civilian political power gave way to military command. Finally, the Restoration regime was replaced by a dictatorship. Initially, the manifesto stated that this situation would be temporary, to end the country’s problems. Therefore, the coup was well received. It addressed several internal problems, resulting in a calmer social situation without terrorism. Caciquismo also disappeared.
This period also marked the end of the war in Morocco, as this issue was a priority for Primo de Rivera. He took personal responsibility for the conflict and tried to finish it, but was hampered by the limited capacity of the Spanish troops and the strength of Abd-el-Krim. The later landing in Alhucemas Bay in 1925 allowed the conquest of territory and the end of the war.
Civil Directory
The economy was helped by growing protectionism, a good international situation, and the support of the Patriotic Union and UGT. Primo founded this to institutionalize the dictatorship. Against this, the opposition was formed by anarchists, liberals, communists, nationalists, and some intellectuals. In 1925, Primo replaced the Military Directory with a civilian one, with men like Calvo Sotelo.
The purpose was to institutionalize and extend the dictatorship, taking steps in several areas:
- Policy: Establishing a National Consultative Assembly.
- Company: Created the Corporate Labour Organization and the joint committees.
- Economy: Development of a public works plan improved roads. Monopolies were created such as CAMPSA, Iberia, and Telefónica.
Problems and the Fall of the Dictatorship
The opposition to the dictatorship was growing. On the one hand, there was a liberal coup attempt. Secondly, there was the discontent of Artillery for promotion on merit. They founded groups like the Republican Alliance or Foundation Ibérica. Anarchist loans made orders outside the Spanish economic situation was unstable, and Calvo Sotelo resigned.
“Soft Dictatorship”
This period starts when Alfonso XIII appointed Dámaso Berenguer as president, with a mission to restore constitutional normality to the country. But economic and social problems increased. The monarchist parties such as Alcalá-Zamora and Maura y Gamazo, who favored the republic, signed the Pact of San Sebastian with the republican left and regionalists. The aim was to establish an Executive Committee chaired by Republican Alcalá Zamora.
The Jaca garrison revolted, anticipating the plans of the Committee, with those responsible shot and members of the Committee imprisoned. Berenguer announced the call for legislative elections. The parties declined to participate, and thus Berenguer resigned. Alfonso XIII formed a concentration government. Within hours, the Republic was established without much trouble, being accepted by the people and the king, who went into exile.