Spain and Canary Islands: Politics and Economy
The Turn System in Spain
What was the turn system?
It was a system in which the two main political parties agreed to take turns in the government peacefully, without promoting political unrest.
Corruption in the Turn System
How was corruption referred to in this system? How was it done?
It was known as chieftaincy or rigging. Chieftaincy (caciquismo) involved influencing people to vote for a specific candidate. Rigging involved altering the outcome of the vote.
The Crisis of 1917
Political Causes
What political causes led to the crisis of 1917?
Following a long closure of the courts, members of parliament convened a meeting, intending to give it the powers of the courts.
Social Causes
What social causes led to the crisis of 1917?
The high demand for Spanish products led to large corporate earnings, but these did not translate into increased salaries for workers.
The Second Republic
Reforms of the First Biennium
What reforms were carried out during the first two years of the Republic?
Reforms were made in land ownership, the army, and religion. The government also drafted statutes of autonomy, which clashed with affected groups.
Consequences of Azaña’s Reforms
What were the consequences of Azaña’s reforms?
The reforms gave rise to opposition from affected groups.
The Popular Front Government
How did the Popular Front government come about? Who were its opponents, and what was the atmosphere in the streets?
Opposition re-emerged from the same sectors that had opposed the first Republican government, especially the army, landowners, radical right-wing groups, and the National Bloc. The atmosphere was tense.
The Spanish Civil War
Aftermath of the Deaths of Lieutenant Castillo and Calvo Sotelo
What happened after the deaths of Lieutenant Castillo and Calvo Sotelo?
It triggered a coup that had long been in preparation, masterminded by General Emilio Mola (referred to as “the Brain”).
The Battle of the North
What was the Battle of the North?
It was part of the Spanish Civil War. General Mola died in a plane crash during this campaign.
Teruel
What happened in Teruel?
Franco’s forces held their ground and advanced to the Mediterranean, isolating Catalonia.
Ebro
What happened in Ebro?
The rebels won and advanced towards Barcelona, eventually capturing Catalonia.
Demographic and Economic Losses of the Civil War
What demographic and economic losses resulted from the Civil War?
Millions of people died, crops were lost, and economic activity was paralyzed. There was a collapse in trade and significant debt due to armaments purchases.
Repression in the Republican Zone
What were the main characteristics of the repression in the Republican zone?
A lack of authority gave rise to vigilante groups and summary executions (paseos). Notable events include an assault on the Model Prison in Madrid and the execution of political prisoners in Paracuellos.
Repression in the Nationalist Zone
And in the Nationalist zone?
The goal was not just to defeat the enemy but to eliminate all opposition through harsh measures.
The Canary Islands Economy
Economic Characteristics and Exports
What economic characteristics stand out at this stage? What were the primary exported products?
Consolidation of the free port economic model allowed for the complete integration of the Canary Islands into the circuitry of the Western imperialist powers. Primary export products were tomatoes and bananas.
Consequences of the 1852 Decree
What was the result of the Canary Islands Decree of 1852? Who benefited and who did not?
It permitted the free entry of goods without tariffs, with only a small tax. This favored large landowners and export agriculture, but it hurt small farmers, who often had to sell their lands and emigrate to Puerto Rico and Cuba.
The Economic Depression of 1929 in the Canary Islands
How did the economic depression of 1929 affect the Canary Islands? Which side (Nationalists or Republicans) were they with? What were the consequences? Who opposed it?
Transit trade declined, impacting port activity and the emerging tourism sector. There was no industrial alternative, leading to negative developments in health and education. The Canary Islands were aligned with the Republican side.
The Working Class in the Second Republic in the Canary Islands
How did the working class fare during the Second Republic in the Canary Islands?
The working class became more assertive, with organized labor federations and a presence on almost all the islands.