Spain Under Primo de Rivera: A Historical Analysis
The Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera (1923-1930)
After a coup, Alfonso XIII commissioned Primo de Rivera to form a new government. Primo de Rivera dismantled the Cánovas system (dissolving the courts, annulling the 1876 Constitution, and outlawing political parties) and introduced a one-party authoritarian regime, the Patriotic Union, following the model of Italian fascism under Benito Mussolini. The social groups supporting the new regime were the bourgeoisie, landowners, industrialists, the Church, and the military. The dictatorship of Primo de Rivera is divided into two stages:
- Military Directory (1923–1925)
- Civil Directory (1925–1930)
Military Directory (1923-1925)
This government, formed exclusively by military personnel, was presented as transitional. During this period, Primo de Rivera achieved internal peace (by, among other things, prohibiting the right to strike) and ended the war in Morocco with the Alhucemas Landing, supported by France.
Civil Directory (1925-1930)
When everyone expected Primo de Rivera to end the dictatorship, the regime decided to continue, including some civilians like José Calvo Sotelo in his new government. During this last period, Primo de Rivera attempted to institutionalize the regime by creating the National Advisory Assembly, a sort of parliament made up almost exclusively of members of the Patriotic Union, elected by census suffrage, not by the constitution. Its aim to produce a new constitution was a major failure for Primo de Rivera.
The Primo de Rivera regime justified itself through its social and economic policies. In the social sphere, it adopted a two-sided strategy:
- On one hand, it outlawed the CNT trade union, persecuted anarchist and communist leaders, and prohibited the right to strike.
- On the other hand, it tried to win the support of the PSOE and UGT, which initially formed part of the Mixed Committees (a type of state-controlled union body composed of employers and workers, acting as an arbitrator in labor disputes).
Economic Policies
- Implemented a protectionist policy to boost domestic production.
- Promoted basic industries (metallurgy, steel, etc.) and created state monopolies (e.g., CAMPSA, RENFE).
- Carried out a major policy of public works (roads, railways, etc.).
- Addressed the water problem with the creation of hydrographic confederations and irrigation projects.
This economic policy was aided by a favorable international conjuncture during the “Roaring Twenties.” However, the enormous expenses incurred by these plans, coupled with extravagance in certain events (like the Universal Exposition of Barcelona and the Ibero-American Exposition of Seville), caused a significant increase in public debt. Nevertheless, the changing economic conjuncture, particularly the Wall Street Crash of 1929, brought down Primo de Rivera’s regime. The repatriation of foreign capital, business closures, and rising unemployment led to an increase in opposition to the regime. For example, the PSOE, which had until then supported Primo de Rivera’s government, now favored a republic. King Alfonso XIII, fearing that the discredit of Primo de Rivera’s government would extend to the monarchy, withdrew his support. Primo de Rivera, isolated and demoralized, resigned in January 1930 and was exiled to France.