SPAIN: FROM REGIN OF ALFOSNO XIII TO THE

SECOND REPUBLIC
1. THE REGIN OF ALFONSO XIII (1902-1931)
- POLITICAL SITUATION OF THE REGIN:
The 1876 constitution remained in force based on a two-party system and peaceful
alternation in power (conservatives and liberals), to use the cacique system to rig the
electoral process.
*Fueron reemplazados Cánovas=Maura (conservadores) y Sagasta=Canalejas
(liberales)
They tried to carry out reforms but failed to consolidate their power against the
cacique control.
The opposition grew around parties of different persuasions:
• New Republican Parties, such as Republican Union (1903)
• Worker parties, like PSOE (1879) and PCE (1921)
• Regional Nationalist parties, BNP (1895) and regional league of Catalonia (1901)

In addition, trade union opposition grew, with the creation of the UTG (linked to the
PSOE) IN 1888 and the increase of its presence in Madrid, Basque Country, Asturias
and Andalusia. In 1910, the CNT was founded, an anarchist union that defended
direct action and strikes.

The main problems of the reign were:

• Social: conflicts between landowners and peasants, as well as between

entrepreneurs and workers
• Nationalist: especially in Catalonia and the Basque Country
• Military: Military defeats in the Moroccan War

1.2 THE MOROCCAN WAR

Spain increased its presence in Morocco at the beginning of 20th century, especially after losing
it colonies in America and Asia in 1898. This zone has its benefits: mines, potential market for
Spanish agricultural products and opportunities to develop infrastructure such a railway.

France also had interests in this region, and together with the United Kingdom (control of
Gibraltar) and Germany, they competed for control of the territory. This conflict of interest
was resolved at the Conference of Algeciras (1906). Were the France’s protectorate was
established in the southern Morocco and Spain’s protectorate in the north, and Germany’s
recovery of the money lent to the Sultan of Morocco.
1.3 THE START OF THE WAR AND THE 1909 CRISIS
Spain started to exploit the iron mines in Morocco. This peaceful penetration failed, in 1909,
when several Bereber or Kabyle tribes attacked the workers building the railway.

This provoked disaster of Barranco del Lobo, where Spain suffered heavy losses and reservist
had to be mobilized to send reinforcements. The mobilisation was contested by numerous
protests, in especially, in Barcelona where a general strike was organized (barricades and
confrontations with the army), known as the Tragic Week.

Between 1909 and 1914, Spain tried to maintain its presence in Morocco avoiding new
conflicts that could trigger more social protests.

1.4 FIRST WORLD WAR, 1917 CRISIS AND THE MOROCCAN WAR

During the First World War (1914-1918), Spain remained neutral but suffered economic and
social effects. Export increased due to the lack of competition, rising prices without salary
increases, leading to the protests.

The 1917 crisis emerged from social and military discontent. The Government suspended the
Cortes to avoid opposition regarding Morocco. In July, the army protested for better working
conditions, and in Catalonia, parliamentarians demand autonomy and a democratic
constitution. In August, general strike was called, which was repressed by the army. Although
it failed, it demonstrated the Union's capacity for mobilisation.

After the war, France resumed its operations in Morocco (1919), and Spain divide its zone into
two: Ceuta (led by General Berenguer) and Melilla (led by General Fernandez Silvestre). In
1921, Abd el-Krim united trips and launched an attack in Annual, causing a disaster to Spain.

1.5 FIRST WORLD WAR, 1917 CRISIS AND THE MOROCCAN WAR
In 1923, General Miguel Primo de Rivera led a coup d’etat with the support of the king, due to
political instability, rising nationalism, army discontent, increased strikes, and the influence of
Italian fascism. The Constitution of 1876 was suspended, a state of war was declared, and the
cortes were dissolved.

• Military Directory (1923-1925): Governed only by the military, aimed to end the
cacique system and invested in local infrastructures. There was strong
repression against workers and nationalists. In Morocco, Spain and France
defeat Abd el-Krim after the landings in Alhucemas.
• Civil Directory (1925-1930): After military success, Primo de Rivera tried to stay
in power with a civilian government during an economic boom. Investments
increased, but the 1929 Wall Street Crash weakened the regime, He resigned in
1930
 • Dictablanda (1930-1931): General Berenguer tried to restore the 1876
constitutions but failed. Admiral Aznar replaced him, leading to municipal
elections that ended the dictatorship and declared the Second Republic
2. THE SECOND REPUBLIC
The municipal elections of April 12, 1931, gave victory to the Republicans in many cities. This
caused the flight of King Alfonso XIII and the proclamation of the Second Republic on April 14,
1931. That generated great hope to modernize and democratize El País, however. The context
was not favourable for several reasons:

• Economic crisis, Consequence of the crisis of 1929.

• Rise of Totalitarianism (fascist and communist)
• Lack of unanimous support, as many (Catholics, Monarchists and landowners'
farmers) were wary of the new regime.
• Inherited problems, poor distribution of agricultural land, nationalism in
Catalonia and the Basque Country, religious, military and cultural tensions.

2.1 PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT AND CONSTITUENT COURT

Between April and June, a provisional government led by Nieto Alcalá Zamora was formed. In
June 1931, elections were held for the Constituent Cortes, which were won by a socialist
republican coalition. The Cortes drafted the Constitution of 1931 with these key points:

• Spain became a Democratic Republic.

• Universal suffrage was recognized, including women for the first time.
• A broad declaration of rights such as civil marriage, divorce and equality of
children born in or out of wedlock was proclaimed
• Separation between Church and State, the State became secular, and the Church
ceased to receive subsidies.
2.2 RERFORMIST TWO-YEAR PERIOD (1931-1933)
After the Constitution of 1931, the socialist republican government led by Manuel Azaña
promoted important reforms:

• Labour: 8-hour working day and the right to strike.

• Educational: more schools, less illiteracy and the end of religious education.
• Military: reduction of the Army and promotions based on merit, retirement was
offered to opposing soldiers.
• Agrarian: attempt to distribute badly exploited land to peasants.
• Regional: Statute of Autonomy for Catalonia and processing of the Basque
Country.
• Religious: closure of religious schools and solution of the Jesuits.
 These reforms generated a lot of opposition: Parties such as the CEDA or the
Falange were born. The slowness of the agrarian reform and the repression
provoked discontent. Azaña resigned and elections in 1933, which the right wing
won
2.3 THE RADICAL-CEDA TWO-YEAR PERIOD

After the right wing won in 1933, the Radical Party supported by CEDA, governed with a
“rectification” policy that consisted of:

• Agrarian reform was halted

• Educational reform was stopped, and religious schools were reopened
• The Catalan Statute was stopped.
• Labour legislation was limited

In October 1934, when he appointed ministers of the CEDA, the left saw it as a step towards
fascism. A general strike was called that in Asturias became a revolution. The government
harshly repressed them with the Army and the Legion under Franco's command:

- More than 1300 dead, 30000 arrested and suspension of the Catalan Statute.

The government became even more radicalized, and the left joined the Popular Front to ask
for amnesty and recover reforms due to corruption and internal tensions. The government
fell and elections were organised in 1936.

2.4 THE POPULAR FRONT STAGE (1936-1939)

The united left won the 1936 elections. Azaña became head of government and later
President.
The government:
• Granted amnesty to the Asturias rebels (1934)
• Restored Catalonia’s Statue and resumed those Galicia and Basque Country
• Returned land to expelled farmers
• Relocated generals suspected of planning a coup (Mola, Goded, Franco)

Problems:

• Land occupations and public disorder

• Only Republicans were in the government
• PSOE allied with the PCE, and the part of the left supported a revolution
• CEDA lost support to the Falange, which was banned and its leader (José Antonio
Primo de Rivera) imprisoned.

The right conspired with the military. Mola, in Pamplona, led the plan.
The murder of Lieutenant Castillo (12 July) and then of José Calvo Sotelo (a right-wing leader)
sped up the uprising.

On July 17, the rebellion began in Morocco. On July 18, it spread across Spain without full
success: the Civil war began.