Alfonso XIII's Reign: Crisis and Restoration in Spain

Alfonso XIII's Reign and the Crisis of Restoration in Spain

This period can be placed within the reign of Alfonso XIII and the crisis of the Restoration, a consequence of the regency of Maria Christina of Austria and the Disaster of 1898.

At the end of the 19th century, the regime established by Cánovas, the liberal-conservative party, was shaken by a severe crisis, since it lost the last Spanish colonies: the Philippines, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. The Restoration was fully in line with European colonial imperialism. Booming finance capitalism drove the great powers to form colonial empires around the world, mimicking Great Britain.

In parallel, Spain became involved in an internal crisis, the Disaster. The loss of the colonial empire was considered a military and diplomatic disaster. One of the first consequences was the formation of a current of opinion in favor of regeneration in Spain. A new period of crisis opened again during the Restoration in 1922-23.

Alfonso XIII's Reign Begins

In May 1902, Alfonso XIII, upon reaching the age of majority, was proclaimed king. This king was to be constitutional. In his reign, two stages can be differentiated: a constructive stage, within the Restoration system, and an attempt to return to the constitutional monarchy, which ended with the exile of the king and the proclamation of the Second Republic.

Disintegration of the Restoration System

Between 1902 and 1923, a progressive disintegration of the Restoration system created by Cánovas occurred. Attempts to save the system failed due to the opposition of the traditional oligarchy. In short, the reign of Alfonso XIII was a progressive path toward the disintegration of the regime of the Restoration, with serious crises and frustrated reforms that gave rise to two outcomes: disentailment or dictatorship.

Military and Political Tensions

After 1898, criticisms of the army generalized, causing strong discomfort between the military and politicians. In 1905 - Document 1 - some officers of the Barcelona garrison assaulted and destroyed the staff of a magazine, contributing to the climate of tension.

Whether military or civilian, it was necessary to achieve the consent of the king for the approval of the new Law of Jurisdiction in 1906, which subjected the military to a judgment of conscience for actions against the country and the army. The incidents in Barcelona weakened the actions of politicians toward the military.

Attempts at Reform

Changes were thus made to one of the bases of the Restoration: the eminence of civil power over the military. After this, reforms were attempted without changing the foundations for better functioning. Between 1907 and 1909, a conservative, Maura, and later, between 1910 and 1912, a Liberal Party headed by Canalejas introduced a series of reforms.

The Crisis of 1917

After this, a crisis loomed in 1917. Spain focused on the Great War, involving industrial development and production in the Spanish economy, but also an increase in the prices of essential products. This was the deepest crisis of the Restoration system, where three conflicts occurred: military, political, and social - Document 2. The social crisis in Spain was a serious supply problem that affected the working classes. The price increase produced social unrest, giving rise to protests and demonstrations. In 1916, the major trade unions, UGT and CNT, had called a general strike of 24 hours to support the working classes. The unachieved improvements led to the strike being extended on March 17 indefinitely, with the discontent of the military, bourgeoisie, and proletariat. The UGT and the PSOE now called a general strike throughout Spain on August 18 with revolutionary goals.

The strike had the cooperation of the Republicans, the CNT, and the proletariat. The government reacted with strong repression, and the strike failed, causing many victims due to the persecution of the strikers.

The Moroccan Question and the Annual Disaster

After that, there was a breach of the constitutional monarchy. The Moroccan question and the Annual Disaster occurred - Document 3.

Trailing overseas colonies, Spain focused its policy on Morocco.