Primo de Rivera’s Manifesto: Analysis and Historical Context
Primo de Rivera Manifesto
Type: Primary historical source (provides direct contemporary information) / Circumstantial political text (manifesto) / National public.
Author: Primo de Rivera. The manifesto was published in a mass communication medium (ABC newspaper) to maximize disclosure to the Spanish people, creating a climate conducive to the coup, which began a day earlier, establishing a military dictatorship that lasted 7 years.
Historical Context: Criticism of the Restoration
The Restoration suffered a serious decline, particularly during 1917-1923, a period marked by political fragmentation and dynastic government instability. The text references “professional politicians,” referring to the Liberals (Prieto), who attempted to stop the coup on September 13, 1923, but were forced to resign. The war in Morocco was a significant factor. In 1921, the military disaster of Annual saw Spanish troops (Silvestre) severely defeated by Moroccan independence fighters (Abd el-Krim). This defeat further divided Spanish politicians and public opinion. Primo de Rivera states that his ideology does not recognize imperialism. However, the Picasso Report, created by a specific committee, was never released due to the coup. The report implicated the government, senior military officers, and the King himself, who allegedly encouraged Silvestre’s disastrous actions. King Alfonso XIII consented to the coup to save the monarchy from collapse, stemming from unrest like the Tragic Week in Barcelona (1909) and the General Strike of 1917.
The Dictatorship: Military and Civil Directory
The dictatorship was structured in two stages: the Military Directory (1923-1925), which aimed to politically organize the State around a national party, the Patriotic Union, reminiscent of the Italian National Fascist Party (PNF). This stage focused on Morocco and reducing social conflict due to the economic boom of the Roaring Twenties. The final crisis of the 1930s (triggered by the 1929 crash) led to the dictator’s fall after the Civil Directory (1925-1930), during which Primo de Rivera focused on educational policy, infrastructure (like Mussolini), and stimulated economic development.
Analysis of the Manifesto
Primo de Rivera expresses the need to end the existing political regime. The text is divided into five paragraphs:
- 1st Paragraph: The main idea is that the response to the situation is illegal (a last resort).
- 2nd Paragraph: The movement enabling this change is composed of “men,” emphasizing masculinity.
- 3rd Paragraph: He claims no justification is needed, as popular demand justifies the coup, listing economic, political, and social reasons.
- 4th and 5th Paragraphs: The response to these causes is the establishment of a military government (Military Directory), which will be “provisional.” He addresses the responsibilities for the Disaster of Annual, blaming politicians and justifying their “punishment.”
Implications of the Dictatorship
This dictatorship was not isolated, as the “era of dictatorship” developed in Europe between 1919-1939 (Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin). This regime was characterized by militarism, machismo, authoritarianism, and populism, but was more regeneracionista (iron surgeon) than fascist. Following the crisis and the end of the dictatorship, the “soft dictatorship” (Berenguer) was established.