The Rise of Nationalism and Political Reform in Early 20th Century Spain
1. Political Reform and the First World War
1.3. The Liberal Regenerationism of José de Canalejas
Tragic Week: After King Alfonso XIII appointed Moret as prime minister, the Liberals replaced him with Canalejas in 1910. Canalejas’s reforms included:
- The Padlock Law: This aimed to separate church and state by prohibiting the establishment of new religious orders.
- Replacing the consumption tax with a progressive tax based on urban wealth. This faced opposition from the landed gentry, leading Canalejas
Primo de Rivera’s Dictatorship in Spain (1923-1930)
Primo de Rivera’s Dictatorship (1923-1930)
Background
With Spain facing numerous problems, including the aftermath of the Rif War in Morocco and political instability, calls for change and regeneration arose. Joaquín Costa, a prominent intellectual, advocated for a “surgeon with an iron hand” to address political corruption. Primo de Rivera saw himself as that figure.
The Coup and the Military Directory (1923-1925)
In September 1923, Primo de Rivera launched a coup d’état, citing the need to end
Read MoreThe Spanish War of Independence and the Democratic Sexenio
1.3 The Spanish War of Independence (1808-1814)
The events of the crisis provoked by the Bourbon monarchy caused a popular rebellion. On May 2, 1808, the people of Madrid rose up against the French troops. Their example was followed in many other places. This caused a popular resistance movement. Boards were created to lead the resistance, coordinated by a Supreme Central Junta, while patriotic groups organized guerrillas to harass the French. The refusal of the cities to surrender to the French
Read MoreThe Second Spanish Republic: From Reform to Crisis
1 The Second Spanish Republic (1931-1936)
Causes, Interim Government, and the Constitution of 1931
The Second Republic marks a pivotal moment in modern Spanish history. Its ambitious reforms faced strong opposition from the oligarchy, fueling tensions that ultimately led to the Civil War. The global impact of the Great Depression (USA 1929) further complicated the Republic’s efforts to consolidate a free democracy. Leftist Popular Fronts emerged in response to these challenges.
Following the Republican
Read MoreThe Second Spanish Republic: From Reform to Civil War
Economic Depression and Social Unrest
The regime change coincided with the global economic depression following the crash of the New York Stock Exchange in 1929. Fortunately, Spain had less dependence on the international market than other countries. Emigration to America also stopped. However, internal problems arose, such as agricultural unemployment, unequal land distribution, low international competitiveness, and a trade balance deficit. The government chose a policy of reducing public expenditure.
Read MoreRestoration of the Monarchy in Spain (1875-1898)
The Restoration of the Monarchy (1875-1898)
The Political System of the Restoration
Conservative groups welcomed the restoration of the Bourbons, hoping it would end attempts at democratic and social revolution. Cánovas del Castillo aimed to create a new political model to overcome the problems of previous liberal regimes. His objectives were:
- Develop a constitution establishing a bipartisan political system.
- Bring peace to the country, ending the Cuban War.
The first step was convening elections for
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