Spain’s Restoration and 20th Century: 1874-1936

Posted on Feb 12, 2025 in History

The Restoration (1874-1902)

The Restoration was a dual process:

  • Political: Cánovas del Castillo managed the abdication of Queen Isabella II in favor of her son, Alfonso XII.
  • Military: General Martínez Campos proclaimed the restoration of the monarchy.

Government

The government was based on two pillars:

  • The Constitution of 1876: It was flexible enough to allow either party to govern without changes. It declared a wealth of rights with the option to restrict them, depending on the ruling party. It established shared sovereignty between the King and the Courts and suffrage, to be determined by the party in power.
  • The Turnismo: A peaceful alternation of parties in power, achieved through electoral manipulation and pressure on local leaders.

Problems

  • Opposition parties outside of the Turnismo.
  • Loss of the last Spanish colonies.
  • Growing regionalism.

Decomposition

The system decomposed due to:

  • Crisis of 1917:
    • Military Crisis: The army claimed rising wages and promotion by seniority.
    • Social Crisis: Triggered by a general strike call.
    • Political Crisis: A Catalan parliamentary assembly called for a new constitution and the creation of a decentralized state with autonomy.
  • Worsening of Problems (1919-1923): This period led to the coup d’état of Primo de Rivera.

Primo de Rivera’s Dictatorship

It had two phases:

  • Military Directory: Suspended the constitution, dissolved courts, banned political parties, and defeated the Moroccan insurgency.
  • Civil Directory: Focused on agriculture and industry, and promoted the creation of roads and improvement of railways. The economic crisis led to the general’s resignation in 1930.

Provisional Government

The Constitution of 1931 was declared, establishing:

  • A wide declaration of rights.
  • Popular sovereignty.
  • Division of powers.
  • Universal suffrage.
  • Separation of church and state.
  • Regional autonomy guarantees.

After accepting the constitution, Niceto Alcalá Zamora was elected president of the Republic.

The Second Republic

Biennium Reform (1931-1933)

  • State Reform: Intended to break with centralism (Catalonia).
  • Social Reform: Aimed to improve working conditions for workers.
  • Land Reform: Sought to achieve a fair distribution of land.

Biennium Conservative (1933-1936)

After elections, the centrist Radical party governed. However, a revolution in October 1934 complicated the situation. In 1936, the Popular Front governed. Political violence manifested in attacks and clashes between Falangists, anarchists, and communists (the “Tragic Spring”). This environment led to the coup d’état.

Coup d’état (1936)

The military uprising began in Ceuta, Melilla, and Tetuán in 1936. The next day, it spread throughout Spain.

  • Within the country, the military had the support of: the upper bourgeoisie, landowners, monarchists, Catholics, and Carlists.
  • Outside of Spain, a non-intervention committee was formed, but Italy, Germany, the International Brigades, and the USSR provided support.

Consequences

  • 380,000 dead.
  • 350,000 exiles.
  • Imposition of authoritarianism.
  • Destruction of industrial fields.
  • Social success of conservative and church groups.

Economic Transformation

  • Agricultural activities continued to employ the majority of the population.
  • Tertiary activities included construction, new communication systems, banking, and finance.
  • Industry began mass production and diversified.