Spain’s Crisis of 1917-1923: Collapse of Restoration
The Crisis of the Restoration (1917-1923)
During the last years of Alfonso XIII’s reign, the political and social foundations of the Restoration were weakening. The deterioration of the political system (discredited turn-taking parties and growing opposition) and social conflict (increased union activity) became increasingly evident.
The Crisis of 1917
In 1917, a crisis broke out—military, political, and social—that marked the beginning of the end for the Restoration. Its decomposition would ultimately lead to the military coup of Primo de Rivera in 1923. The antecedents of this crisis were the Disaster of 1898 and the Tragic Week of Barcelona, which took place in Barcelona and other Catalonian cities between July 26 and August 2, 1909.
On July 9, 1909, Spanish workers building a railway link between Melilla and the Beni-Buifur mines were attacked by local tribesmen. This incident was used by the Maura government to begin recruiting troops to secure control of the Moroccan protectorate. Orders for mobilization of reservists in Barcelona were issued, fixing a 24-hour strike for Monday, July 26, which degenerated into the Tragic Week.
Deteriorating political life and increased social conflict reached their height in the summer of 1917, unleashing a triple crisis:
- Military Crisis: Caused by discontent among middle and low-ranking officers due to low wages. The formation of *Juntas de Defensa* (Defense Committees) and the government’s response, the legislation of the *Juntas*, further fueled the crisis.
- Political Crisis: Caused by disaffection among opposition groups facing a clearly authoritarian government. Opposition groups, including left-wing parties and some liberals, convened an Assembly of Parliamentarians in Barcelona, demanding a reform agenda. The government responded by dissolving the assembly with the Civil Guard.
- Social Crisis: Spain declared itself neutral at the outbreak of World War I. Public opinion was divided between pro-Allies and pro-Germans.
Economic Impact of World War I
Economically, the impact of World War I on Spain was contradictory. There was enrichment for many agricultural producers and industrial entrepreneurs due to the growth of exports, but a worsening of living conditions for the working class. A situation of inflation and shortages arose, causing social conflict and strong unemployment. A Joint Action Committee was created between the UGT and the revolutionary CNT.
A general strike was called in August to demand political changes and worker mobilization. It spread across Madrid and mining and industrial areas but was harshly repressed by the army and the police. The final toll was 70 dead, 200 wounded, and 2,000 arrested. The underlying problems remained unsolved.
The Final Years of the Regime (1917-1923)
The last six years of the regime were marked by increasing political instability. Attempts at normalization with coalition governments and a return to *turnismo* (the system of alternating parties) failed. Military interference in politics became increasingly significant.
In the social and economic order, World War I provoked increased unemployment and lower wages. Labor struggles were channeled through the unions, and violence became radicalized. Examples include the *Trienio Bolchevique* (Bolshevik Triennium) and *gangsterismo* in Catalonia. *Gangsterismo* was a method used during the crisis of the Restoration, consisting of employers hiring thugs to target the most active trade unionists and workers. In turn, the workers responded with their own gunmen. This violence occurred mainly among the urban and industrial proletariat.
The Annual Disaster and the Coup
The failure of the policy of colonial occupation of Morocco created a climate of unease within Spanish public opinion, drawing strong criticisms against politicians, the king, and the military. The Battle of Annual in 1921 was a serious Spanish military defeat in the Rif War, led by Abd el-Krim near the Moroccan city of Annual on July 22, 1921. This led to a redefinition of Spain’s colonial policy.
The problems generated were the direct cause of the coup and the dictatorship of Miguel Primo de Rivera. The army was the instrument used by Alfonso XIII to try to restore public order. General Miguel Primo de Rivera staged a coup that ended the Restoration.