Spanish History: Regenerationism to Popular Front
Regenerationism was an intellectual movement in the nineteenth century that sought to objectively and scientifically analyze the causes of Spain’s national decline. It is distinct from the Generation of ’98, with whom it is often confused. While both movements expressed a pessimistic view of Spain, Regenerationists approached it with objective, documented, and scientific analysis, whereas the Generation of ’98’s perspective was more literary and subjective. Principal representatives included Joaquín Costa and Primo de Rivera.
Tragic Week in Barcelona occurred in Barcelona and other Catalan towns in 1909. Spain was experiencing a system of political rotation between the Conservative and Liberal parties, who gained government through controlled elections. This electoral system was known beforehand, predetermining the winning party.
Crisis of 1917: This set of events in the summer of 1917 presented three simultaneous challenges to the government and the Restoration system. These included a military movement (the Peninsular Juntas), a political movement (the Parliamentary Assembly of Catalan orientation in Barcelona), and a social movement (the revolutionary general strike).
Battle of Annual: A severe military defeat for the Spanish army occurred in 1921 near the Moroccan city of Annual, at the hands of Abd el-Krim. This event led to a redefinition of Spain’s colonial policy in the Rif. The political crisis resulting from this defeat was one of the most significant factors weakening the liberal monarchy of Alfonso XIII. The problems generated by Annual were a direct cause of the coup and the dictatorship of Miguel Primo de Rivera.
Miguel Primo de Rivera: Known as the “iron surgeon,” Primo de Rivera believed he could solve the nation’s problems. He served as captain-general of Catalonia and later became dictator of Spain. He marginalized the Constitution of 1876, which held the record for longevity among Spanish constitutions.
Directorates: These were governing bodies. One was a military directorate, and the other was a civilian board. They comprised individuals whom Primo de Rivera deemed necessary as advisors for his government.
Pact of San Sebastián: This meeting, promoted by Niceto Alcalá-Zamora and Miguel Maura (two right-wing politicians who were monarchists until shortly before), took place in the Basque city of San Sebastián in 1930. This agreement among the main Republican groups complicated the situation for the monarchists, as it represented a shift from scattered, uncoordinated actions to a coordinated effort with the ambitious aim of ending the monarchy.
Totalitarianism: This refers to ideologies, political movements, and regimes where freedom is completely restricted, and the state holds all power without divisions or limitations. This is a more intense, extensive, and evolved form of power compared to the theoretical absolute power of Old Regime monarchies. It differs from other autocratic regimes by being directed by a political party that claims to be, or in practice acts as, the sole party, fused with state institutions. Examples include the regimes of Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini (who was the first).
CEDA: The Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Rights was an alliance of right-wing Catholic political parties founded during the progressive biennium of 1933. Its principal founder was Ángel Herrera Oria, director of El Debate. Another founder and later leader of the Confederation was Gil-Robles. CEDA won the 1933 elections but did not govern because the President decided its leader was not a democratic person.
Popular Front: This was the name given to electoral coalitions formed between parties with sensitivities ranging from anti-fascist sectors of the middle class to popular leftist forces. They were formed in the early 1930s to prevent fascism from winning the 1936 election. Its principal components included liberal and centrist (radicals) parties, along with left-wing parties (socialists and communists).