The Regency of Maria Christina & The Rise of Regionalism and Nationalism in Spain
The Regency of Maria Christina of Austria and the Shift of Parties
The Opposition to the System, Regionalism, and Nationalism
Alfonso XII died in 1885, leaving his wife, Maria Christina of Austria, as Regent. To maintain stability during the regency, party leaders established an agreement known as El Pacto del Pardo. They agreed to alternate in government, respecting the legislation passed during each term.
The regency began with Sagasta (1885-1890), a period known as the Long Parliament. His agenda promoted openness, including academic freedom and freedom of expression, leading to a flourishing press. The restoration of freedom of association facilitated the expansion of the labor movement. The most significant reform was the 1896 electoral law, which established universal male suffrage, although electoral manipulation persisted.
Conservative (1890-1892) and Liberal (1892-1895) governments faced internal party conflicts over economic policies (liberalism vs. protectionism) and colonial policies (self-governing colonies).
Foreign Policy Issues:
- Clashes with tribes in Morocco led to campaigns by Martinez Campos in 1883.
- The Treaty of Paris (1900) consolidated the occupation of Equatorial Guinea (1884-1886) and the Sahara (1881).
- Conflict arose with Germany over the Caroline Islands and Palau, where Spain established a protectorate. Papal intervention confirmed Spanish sovereignty but granted Germany free trade and coal supply rights.
- The most significant conflict was the Cuban opposition.
Opposition to the System: The Labor Movement, Regionalism, and Nationalism
After the Carlist defeat in 1876, the extreme right entered political life. The republican movement declined due to Canovas’ repression and internal divisions. They lost support from organized labor and the peripheral nationalist movements gained traction.
The Labor Movement:
The labor movement was divided between socialists and anarchists. Following the dissolution of the International Workingmen’s Association (IWA), Marx advised the creation of national workers’ parties. The Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) was founded in 1879, led by Pablo Iglesias. Its program included political liberties, child labor restrictions, workplace committees, legal aid, and universal armament. Long-term goals were the seizure of power, abolition of private property, and a classless society. The party’s growth was slow due to its rigid discipline and participation in the bourgeois system.
In 1888, the General Union of Workers (UGT) was created. Anarchist organizations joined the Federation of Spanish Regional Workers (FETRA) in 1881. Differences arose between those advocating political action and those favoring violent action (propaganda by the deed). The 1890s saw increased violence, including the assassination of Canovas del Castillo in 1897. Special anti-anarchist bodies and laws were established, weakening FETRA.
Christian Socialism:
The Catholic Church adapted to the new social conditions. Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum supported workers’ rights, leading to the creation of Catholic unions. In Spain, Jesuit Antonio Vicent promoted a conciliatory approach.
The Rise of Nationalisms:
Nationalist movements emerged due to several factors:
- The weakness of the liberal political system, born from the Carlist War (1833-1840).
- A centralized state model that ignored regional realities.
- Limited resources for social modernization, particularly in communications, public works, and education.
- Cultural and linguistic movements gaining political momentum.
Catalonia:
The Renaixença cultural movement promoted Catalan identity. In the 1880s, Valenti Almirall advocated for regional autonomy. The Centre Català, founded in 1882, aimed to unite the bourgeoisie but failed. In 1887, the Lliga de Catalunya was founded. Prat de la Riba, president of the Centre Català, merged it with the Lliga to form the Unió Catalanista. The Bases de Manresa (1892) outlined the desired division of powers between the state and Catalonia.
Basque Country:
Canovas’ centralism clashed with Basque privileges, leading to two reactions:
- The industrial bourgeoisie aligned with the Spanish system.
- The rural population sought to restore traditional fueros (charters).
Sabino Arana promoted Basque nationalism based on race, language, and the fueros. He founded the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) in 1895, advocating for independence. The party expanded in 1898 to include the industrial bourgeoisie, who favored autonomy, creating internal tensions.
Galicia:
The Rexurdimento cultural movement promoted the Galician language and literature. Two ideological currents emerged:
- Alfredo Brañas’ traditional and rural approach.
- Manuel Murguía’s urban approach, critical of Galicia’s backwardness.
The Galician Regional League was created in 1890, but nationalism didn’t fully develop until the 20th century.