The Restoration (1874-1923)
The Bourbon Restoration
The restoration of the monarchy offered the crown to Alfonso XII, son of Isabel II. Canovas del Castillo initiated the peaceful restoration process, solidified by General Martínez Campos’s proclamation in Sagunto. Alfonso XII began his reign upon entering Madrid.
The Political System
Canovas aimed to establish a stable and authoritative system with the monarch as head of the army, empowered by the new constitution. Inspired by the British model, the system rested on the 1876 Constitution, a moderate document establishing joint sovereignty between the king and the Cortes, a Catholic state, and a bicameral parliament.
Two-Party System
Canovas promoted a two-party system: the Conservatives, led by himself, and the Liberals, led by Sagasta, intended to alternate in power.
System Corruption and Opposition
The seemingly peaceful alternation of power was manipulated through “caciquismo,” where the central government used influential figures to control votes, often resorting to rigging. Various forces opposed this system:
- Republicans, including Alejandro Lerroux’s Radical Republican Party.
- Nationalist parties, like the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), opposing centralism.
- The labor movement, with its anarchist and Marxist branches. Pablo Iglesias founded the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) and the General Union of Workers (UGT).
Regency of Maria Christina (1885-1902)
Upon Alfonso XII’s death, Maria Christina became regent until her son, the future Alfonso XIII, reached adulthood. Canovas and Sagasta agreed to support the regency and continue the two-party system.
Early Reign and Urban Growth
Rapid urban growth due to rural exodus led to a large urban proletariat demanding better working conditions, met with resistance from the government and upper classes, increasing social unrest. Rural poverty remained largely unaddressed.
Political Reforms
Conservative leader Antonio Maura and Liberal leader José Canalejas introduced timid reforms to maintain the system. The Tragic Week in Barcelona, a violent revolt sparked by military conscription, was brutally suppressed.
The Crisis of 1917
Spain’s neutrality in World War I didn’t prevent domestic crises:
- Military Crisis: The war exposed the Spanish army’s outdated equipment, leading to demands for reforms.
- Political Crisis: Dissatisfied military officials challenged the government, while Catalan deputies convened an assembly in Barcelona.
- Social Crisis: Increased demand for Spanish goods during the war boosted corporate profits but also led to labor unrest and a general strike, which was harshly repressed.
The War in Morocco
Seeking to compensate for past humiliations, Spain pursued colonial ambitions in Morocco, leading to frequent clashes with local tribes. The disastrous Annual campaign, where thousands of Spanish soldiers died, triggered a severe political crisis.