Spain’s History: Monarchy, Republic, and Civil War
Item 9: Spain in the First Half of the 20th Century
First Decades of Alfonso XIII’s Reign (Early 1900s)
Initially, a two-party system characterized by the alternation of power between liberals and conservatives. However, this system was marred by rigged elections.
Problems:
- Resurgence of nationalism
- Military sensitivity to criticism
- Moroccan War
- Development of the labor movement and leftist opposition
- Anarchist terrorism
A major crisis was the “Tragic Week” in July 1909, involving sending reservist troops, and the Annual Disaster, which killed more than 9,000 soldiers.
Primo de Rivera Dictatorship (1923-1930)
- Ended the Moroccan War.
- Implemented a corporate system inspired by Italy, particularly in Catalonia.
- Resolved social conflict through the restriction of political freedoms and the use of the army.
- 1929: International Exhibition in Barcelona and Ibero-American Exposition.
Economy
- Slightly modernized agriculture.
- Industrialization in Catalonia (textiles), the Basque Country (metal, steel), and Madrid (electrical, construction material).
- Improvement of several networks (rail).
- Development of banks (Bank Bilbao Vizcaya, Santander).
- State protectionism.
- Limited Spanish presence in international trade.
- Creation of companies like CAMPSA (petroleum) and Telefónica (telephone).
Society
- Rural laborers comprised over half the population, with large landowners at the top.
- Cities saw a thriving middle class of small business owners and officials.
- The number of industrial workers increased.
End of the Reign of Alfonso XIII
In 1930, Alfonso XIII attempted to restore the constitutional system, but a coalition of Republicans joined forces to overthrow the king (Pact of San Sebastian, 1930).
In the 1931 municipal elections, the Republican-Socialist coalition won, leading Alfonso XIII to flee the country. The Second Republic was proclaimed on April 14.
Second Republic (1931-1936)
Government Reform
The Provisional Government aimed to modernize Spain and establish democracy. A new constitution was promulgated in 1931, defining Spain as a “republic of workers of all kinds.” Key reforms included:
- Autonomy for Catalonia: Catalonia was granted its own institutions of government.
- Military Reform: Addressed the excessive number of officials, requiring an oath of allegiance to the Republic or retirement.
- Religious Reform: Dissolved the Society of Jesus, prohibited religious orders from teaching, and withdrew state economic contributions.
- Agrarian Reform: Aimed to address issues of minifundismo (small landholdings) in the north and large estates (latifundios) in the south, with landless laborers, low wages, and chieftaincy. Expropriation of large estates was initiated to distribute land among peasants.
- Educational Reform: Promoted secular education, established new schools and colleges, created teacher training centers, and supported rural cultural initiatives (educational missions).
Conservative Government (1933-1936)
The CEDA (Confederación Española de Derechas Autónomas), a right-wing party, won the elections and slowed down the reforms of the previous stage. There were uprisings in Asturias (crushed by Franco) and Catalonia (due to fears of losing autonomy).
Popular Front Government (1936)
Left-wing parties united and attempted to continue the previous reforms. This period was marked by increasing violence between the Falange (a fascist party) and the Communists.
The Civil War (1936-1939)
On July 17, 1936, a section of the army rebelled, supported by Carlist monarchists and Falangists. This led to the outbreak of the Civil War. Francisco Franco’s Nationalist forces received support from Italy and Germany, while the Republic was aided by the Soviet Union and the International Brigades. After three years of intense fighting, the Nationalists’ superior firepower led to their victory.
Franco claimed victory on April 1, 1939, establishing a dictatorial political system.