Alfonso XIII of Spain: Reign, Challenges, and Legacy

Alfonso XIII's Reign in Spain

A Time of Uncertainty and Change

After the death of Alfonso XII, his wife, María Cristina of Hapsburg, assumed the regency. The king's death created uncertainty about the future of the Restoration system. Cánovas del Castillo and Sagasta reached an agreement (the Pact of El Pardo) to support the regency and ensure a smooth transition of power between ruling parties.

In 1902, Alfonso XIII ascended to the throne. His reign continued the Restoration's political system (the 1876 Constitution and the turno), but with two key changes: the king's active involvement in politics and the decline of the politicians who had established the regime.

Challenges During Alfonso XIII's Reign

Major Issues and Conflicts

• The Regenerationist Movement: A critical current advocating for reform.
• Catalan Regionalism: Fueled by the Regionalist League (Prat de la Riba) and Catalan Solidarity (Cambo).
• The Labor Movement: Divided between moderate (PSOE, UGT) and radical (CNT, FAI) factions.
• Military Concerns: Accountability for the disastrous 1898 Spanish-American War and the ongoing Moroccan conflict.
• Social Change: Driven by economic growth and population increase.

Political Instability and Reform Attempts

Early in his reign, the turno continued, but ministerial instability highlighted a crisis of leadership within both parties. Antonio Maura (1907-1909), a conservative, attempted a “revolution from above” to curb regional associations, but his project failed. Other measures included immigration policies, strike regulations, and the creation of a National Insurance Institute.

In 1910, José Canalejas came to power. He attempted to address growing anticlericalism with his Padlock Law and also promoted an Associations Act. However, he was assassinated by an anarchist.

The World War I era saw Spain remain neutral, benefiting economically from increased exports. However, this economic growth wasn't used to develop Spanish industry, and the resulting disparity between rising prices and stagnant wages caused widespread unrest among the middle and working classes, culminating in the 1917 crisis.

The 1917 Crisis

• Military Crisis: Internal problems within the army, including promotions and pay, led to the formation of juntas (military unions).
• Parliamentary Assembly in Barcelona: Due to the king's actions, the assembly met in Barcelona at Cambo's request, advocating for political reform, an end to the turno, constitutional reform, and regional autonomy.
• Revolutionary General Strike: The end of World War I ended Spain's economic boom, leading to a crisis that worsened in 1920.

The Rif War

The ongoing Moroccan War presented significant challenges. The difficult terrain and resistance from the Rif tribes, particularly under Abd el-Krim, proved problematic. A major defeat at Barranco del Lobo in 1909 led to popular revolt. Further defeats at Monte Arruit and Annual in 1921 (resulting in 13,000 Spanish casualties) caused the Expediente Picasso investigation. A major offensive in 1925, with French assistance, led to the pacification of the region by 1927.