The Transition to Democracy in Spain: From Dictatorship to Constitutional Monarchy
Vocabulary
National Sovereignty
Sovereignty is the exercise of authority that resides in a people and is exercised through its constitutional organs or representatives.
Parliamentary Monarchy
The king acts as the Head of State under the control of the legislative branch (Parliament) and the executive branch (government).
Separation of Powers
There are three branches of government:
Legislature:
Made up of Parliament, its function is to propose, develop, and adopt laws.Executive:
The government, its function is to direct the country, manage domestic and foreign policy, and raise taxes. It can prepare bills, but they must be approved by Parliament.Judiciary:
Made up of judges and courts, its principal function is to enforce the laws.
Constituent Cortes
Constituent Cortes are elected with the main goal of developing a new constitution. They may be dissolved after completing this task, followed by new elections, or they may continue as a regular parliament.
Autonomy
Regions of a country with expertise in different areas of government (health, education, etc.) are devolved from the central government.
Constitution
A set of principles that govern a state. No law can go against the constitution. A constitution provides guarantees for democracy because it prevents abuse of power by the government or other authorities, who must always respect the constitutional principles.
Questions 1, 2, and 3 (Page 14)
Why was the system in the 19th century and early 20th century not democratic? Explain the relationship with the kind of society and lack of political pluralism (bipartisanship).
The system was not democratic because an absolute monarchy was imposed, where the old ruling class (the clergy and the nobility, who were large landowners) had many privileges. Most of the rural population was poor and worked the land of the wealthy and powerful.
Why were leftist forces against the Moroccan War?
Leftist forces were against the Moroccan War because it primarily affected the working class, who were poorly equipped and suffered thousands of losses and deaths in ambushes. They organized strikes and demonstrations against the war and the recruitment of soldiers.
What three sectors of society were against the government of the monarchy in 1917?
The three sectors against the monarchy in 1917 were the army, leftist politicians, and workers. This discontent stemmed from rising commodity prices (due to exports to countries involved in World War I), dissatisfaction within the army over pay and promotion systems, and the lack of democracy.
Questions of the Civil War
What were the causes of the coup, and who led it?
The main causes of the coup were serious clashes between workers and far-right groups. The murder of Lieutenant Castillo of the Republican Guard by a monarchist faction, followed by the assassination of the monarchist leader Calvo Sotelo by the opposing faction, precipitated the coup against the Republic.
The main organizers of the coup were Francisco Franco, the military, and the landed gentry, who had been planning it for some time.
Into what two areas was Spain divided, and what resources did each side have?
Spain was divided into two areas:
- Republicans: Controlled the top industrial areas and large cities (east and south, including the Cantabrian cornice).
- Nationalists: Controlled the agricultural areas, which provided more food resources (northern plateau, Galicia, and island territories).
Why did Franco win the war?
Franco won the war because he received crucial aid from Hitler and Mussolini throughout the conflict, particularly in the form of air support.
Dictatorship of Miguel Primo de Rivera
General Miguel Primo de Rivera staged a coup and ended the parliamentary system (eliminating elections, parties, and parliament). During his government, he tried to solve the problems mentioned above by prohibiting strikes, demonstrations, political parties, and any regional manifestations. He ended the war in Morocco with the help of France and developed a social policy and public works program (workers’ houses, electrification of villages, schools, irrigation, etc.). He also established state monopolies such as tobacco, Campsa, and the telephone company. However, he failed to address the major ills of the country, especially the social inequalities, which left a minority of landowners in control of the land while many peasants remained landless.
Explain How the Dictatorship Transitioned to the Republic
Following the resignation of Primo de Rivera due to lack of support in 1930, a provisional government was formed. This government faced opposition from progressive forces who wanted to end the monarchical system. Municipal elections were called, and Republican candidates won. The king was forced to abdicate, leading to the proclamation of the Republic and calls for popular elections. A provisional Republican government was formed, and leftist parties called for elections to the Constituent Cortes, which they won. The new government drafted a constitution that established universal suffrage, including women’s suffrage, and separated church and state. It legalized divorce and civil marriage, forbade religious schools, and allowed for regional autonomies. However, great inequality persisted, with a landowning class supported by the army and the church on one side, and a majority of the population living in poverty, supported by anarchist unions, socialist, and leftist parties, on the other.
Agrarian Problem
Most of the Spanish population was still peasant and landless, while land remained in the hands of large landowners. The government passed an agrarian reform law to expropriate land from those who owned large amounts but did not cultivate it.
The Franco Dictatorship
Political Characteristics
The Franco dictatorship was characterized by the suppression of political parties and unions, the prohibition of assembly, demonstrations, and strikes, and the concentration of power in Franco himself. The army was responsible for public order, and censorship was widespread.
Economic and Political Evolution
During the early years of the Franco regime, Spain was internationally isolated due to its association with Nazism. This isolation, along with the ravages of the civil war, further impoverished the country and led to a policy of economic autarky (self-sufficiency) and rationing. In the 1960s, the system began to evolve, and economic development occurred due to the end of international isolation and aid from the United States. Emigration to Europe and the rural exodus to large cities helped to alleviate unemployment. Development plans were implemented to industrialize the country, and tourism began to develop. However, the rural exodus and emigration also led to the abandonment of many rural areas.
The Transition to Democracy
Franco died in 1975, leaving Juan Carlos de Borbón as his designated heir and Head of State. The incumbent president, Carlos Arias Navarro, failed to satisfy those advocating for change and the legalization of political parties, nor did he appease Franco’s supporters who wanted to maintain the existing political system. This political situation was further complicated by economic difficulties, including rising oil prices that led to inflation and unemployment. Many European immigrants returned to Spain due to the economic crisis. There was significant opposition from underground leftist intellectuals, students, and unions. Arias Navarro resigned, and King Juan Carlos appointed Adolfo Suárez as the new Prime Minister, recognizing his potential to lead Spain towards democracy.
Political Reform
Suárez, with the King’s support, implemented a political reform law. This law was approved by the Francoist Cortes and then by a referendum. It included the following provisions:
- Legalization of political parties and trade unions
- Universal suffrage as a reflection of popular sovereignty
- Elections to the Constituent Cortes
- Establishment of a democratic system
Progressive Government
:
coaliccion d epartidos Left Republicans and party games socialista.estos defended the interests of classes trabajadoras.elaboraron the constitution of 1931 established universal suffrage, vote by allowing secular femenino.era a constitution, legalizing divorce and civil marriage and forbade religious schools, also allowed the social autonomias.gran desisgualdad landowning class with a minority supported by the army and the church, and on the other hand the majority of the population was poor, was aided by the anarchist unions, socialist and leftist parties.
agrarian problem: most of the Spanish population is still peasant and landless to be in the hands of large landowners, they make an agrarian reform law to expropriate more land to those who have and do not cultivate.
ARTIFICE the period of transition:
the period of transition the architects were the king and Adolfo Suarez
suarez lleba explains how to make the transition and what it was: after contact with representatives of different parties and amnesty for political prisoners suarez reform law makes politics: it was upheld by the courts under Franco and then by referendum and involved the following: legalization of political parties and trade unions, universal suffrage, elections to constituent courts and democratic system.
“Which party won the elections to the constituent assembly? Were the first elections for a parliament (cuts constituents) the UCD won (match suarez)
What that work done?
Suarez made after the election pacts Inflazione overcome unemployment and produced by the oil crisis and formed a commission to draft a constitution.