Spain Under Alfonso XIII: From Restoration to Dictatorship

Posted on Feb 18, 2025 in History

Alfonso XIII’s Reign (1902-1931): Stages

1. Decomposition of the Restoration (1902-1923)

Background:

  • 1897: Death of Cánovas del Castillo.
  • 1898: Defeat against the US in the Spanish-American War.
  • 1899: Failure of the regenerationist government (due to broken electoral promises).
  • 1901: Rise of the Regionalist League (Catalan nationalism).

Attempts at Reform of the Restoration:

  • Two regenerationist governments.
  • 1906-1909: Government of Maura.
  • 1910-1912: Government of Canalejas.

Factors of the Crisis:

  • Crisis of the Dynastic Parties: Death of Cánovas and Sagasta, leading to internal struggles.
  • War of Morocco (1909-1926).
  • Rise of Catalan Nationalism.
  • Radicalization of workers and peasants (culminating in the Crisis of 1917).

2. Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera (September 1923 – January 1930)

3. Fall of the Monarchy (January 1930 – April 14, 1931)

Maura and Canalejas’ Regenerationism

Maura:

  • 1904: Antonio Maura became head of government and promoted a political slogan of “revolution from above,” advocating for reform of the political system by the government to prevent a popular uprising.
  • 1906-1909 (second administration): He enacted laws such as the Electoral Act and internal colonization measures.
  • 1909: The Tragic Week in Barcelona, and the subsequent repression, led to a protest campaign that brought down the Conservative government.

Canalejas:

  • 1910: Liberal Government. He deepened the separation of Church and State. He also initiated negotiations for a Law of Commonwealths, which proposed the union of provincial councils to manage some public services.
  • 1912: Assassination of Canalejas.

Republicanism, Socialism, and Anarchism

Republicanism was the main opposition force.

  • 1903: Formation of the Republican Union.

In Barcelona, republicanism was led by Lerroux and had significant influence among the working classes, achieving electoral successes in 1903 and 1905. Lerrouxism employed strong anticlerical and anti-Catalan rhetoric, presenting a supposedly populist and revolutionary discourse to attract popular support. Around 1910, after the Tragic Week, Lerroux, having lost popular support, moderated his speech and moved to Madrid.

Socialist Party (PSOE):

The PSOE advocated for taking advantage of opportunities within the parliamentary system.

  • 1910: Pablo Iglesias was elected to parliament.

The socialist union (UGT) experienced growth in membership. The UGT favored political action to achieve social and labor reforms and advocated for the participation of workers’ representatives in government organizations.

Labor Organizations:

  • 1907: Solidaridad Obrera (Workers’ Solidarity) – A federation of apolitical and reivindicative workers’ associations, conducive to revolutionary struggle.
  • 1910: Formation of the CNT (National Confederation of Labor). The CNT was born with the aim of providing stability and driving the anarchist union movement in Spain. The CNT was defined by:
    • Independence of the proletariat from the bourgeoisie and its institutions.
    • Apoliticism of the labor movement and electoral abstention.
    • Need for worker unity.
    • Goal of overthrowing capitalism.
  • 1918: Congress of Sants (Barcelona) – Creation of single industry unions.