The Second Republic and Primo de Rivera’s Dictatorship in Spain

Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera

Political and Social Crisis

Spain faced a deep political and social crisis. The war with Morocco, labor movements, and new political trends destabilized Alfonso XII’s monarchy. The fragmented monarchical governments struggled to maintain control.

Primo de Rivera’s Coup

Miguel Primo de Rivera launched a coup, forcing the government to resign and establishing a dictatorship. He overrode the constitution, dissolved the courts, and formed a provisional military directory with a regeneracionista agenda. His initial focus was ending ideological and rural despotism, gaining support from many Spaniards.

First Stage

Primo de Rivera aimed to restore order within Spain and abroad. He suppressed terrorism and strikes, implemented a modest social policy, and addressed the conflict in Morocco.

Second Stage

Building on initial successes, Primo de Rivera formed a civilian directory, replacing military figures with civilians. This new phase focused on national development, progress, and patriotic unity, fostering a new generation of politicians aligned with the directory’s ideology.

Resolution of the Moroccan Conflict

Resolving the Moroccan conflict proved crucial for the regime’s stability. After unsuccessful negotiations, Spain allied with France, achieving a decisive victory against the Rif rebels and capturing their leader. This victory solidified the dictatorship.

Economic Policy

Primo de Rivera’s economic policies yielded positive results. State revenues increased without raising taxes, and public works projects flourished. Initiatives included creating reservoirs for irrigation and electricity, improving railways, and constructing public buildings. This policy benefited from the global economic boom, but it neglected wealth and land redistribution and tax reform, favoring the wealthy and banks. Despite a positive balance sheet, the peseta’s deficit triggered an economic crisis the government couldn’t overcome.

Social Policy

The dictatorship strengthened protective labor laws and formalized relations with unions through the corporatist Labour Code. This established arbitration bodies between employers and workers and represented collective interests.

Intellectual Opposition

Initially well-received, the dictatorship later faced opposition from intellectuals, the military, and financial circles. Primo de Rivera showed indifference to intellectual protests and street demonstrations. Declining popularity and political opposition eroded his support, leading to his resignation.

The Second Republic

Transitional Government

Following Primo de Rivera’s resignation, a transitional government faced severe economic challenges due to the 1929 global crisis and unresolved constitutional issues.

The Dawn of the Republic

The Second Republic was initially welcomed with enthusiasm, but the 1929 crisis, while not directly impacting Spain, created social tensions.

Provisional Government

The 1931 elections resulted in a Republican victory, proclaiming the Second Republic. King Alfonso XIII went into exile. The provisional government included Alcalá Zamora (Monarchist) as president, Miguel Maura (Interior), and Manuel Azaña (War). Elections resulted in a leftist landslide, and the primary task was drafting a new constitution.

Constitution of 1931

The 1931 constitution defined Spain as a “Workers’ Republic,” enshrining social rights and women’s suffrage.

Biennium Reform (1931-1933)

Alcalá Zamora became President of the Republic, and Azaña led the government, forming an alliance between Republicans and Socialists. Azaña reformed the army, reducing its political influence. The controversial separation of church and state was addressed with a Catalan autonomy statute. Social reforms improved workers’ living standards, but agrarian reform faced challenges. Opposition arose from both the extreme right and left, leading to uprisings. This period was marked by reformist efforts but suffered from attempting too much too quickly.

Second Biennium (1933-1936)

Azaña’s defeat in the 1933 elections brought CEDA (led by Gil Robles) and the Radicals (led by Lerroux) to prominence, but their collaboration was limited. The Radicals held power initially, followed by CEDA.

The October Revolution (1934)

Republicans protested CEDA’s rise to power with a strike. Serious events unfolded in Catalonia and Asturias. Catalonia’s president proclaimed a republic, which was quickly suppressed, resulting in many deaths. The Asturian revolt had a negative impact, destabilizing the government. Both the leftist revolt and the right’s refusal to adopt a centrist position contributed to the instability.

The Election of the Popular Front (1936)

The 1936 elections were the last chance for the Second Republic. The Popular Front, uniting leftist forces, aimed to return to the first biennium’s policies. The results were evenly split between the right and the Popular Front, foreshadowing the Spanish Civil War. The Popular Front faced serious challenges, including conspiracies from the extreme right and the government’s actions bordering on illegality. Public disorder and illegal land occupation further fueled unrest. The assassination of Calvo Sotelo triggered the Spanish Civil War.