Authoritarian Spain: The Primo de Rivera Years (1923-1930)

Primo de Rivera's Dictatorship in Spain (1923-1930)

The dictatorship of Miguel Primo de Rivera was the authoritarian political regime established in Spain between September 13, 1923, and January 28, 1930. It operated under the leadership of General Miguel Primo de Rivera y Orbaneja with the acceptance of King Alfonso XIII.

Factors Leading to the Dictatorship

The coup d'état by Primo de Rivera, then Captain General of Catalonia, occurred amidst a complex national situation, leading to the resignation of the Government of García Prieto. Key contributing factors included:

• Revolutionary Climate and Social Tensions: A growing industrial proletariat, increased urban concentration, the creation of the Communist Party of Spain in 1921, and numerous clashes between employers and workers.
• Economic Crisis: An economic downturn beginning in 1919, stemming from the contraction of European markets after the First World War.
• Colonial Policy Failures: Societal upheaval caused by setbacks in Spanish colonial policy in Morocco, notably the Annual Disaster in 1921.

This authoritarian solution to the state's problems garnered support from King Alfonso XIII, the Army, the bourgeoisie, landowners, the Church, and supportive media outlets. The regime aimed to become a stable system of government with its own constitutional foundations, influenced by Italian fascism, though not identical to it.

Government Actions and Policies

The regime's governance evolved through distinct phases and key initiatives.

Initial Phase: The Military Directory (1923-1925)

Initially, a Military Directory (composed of eight generals and one rear admiral) was established, governing from September 1923 to December 1925. Its primary actions included:

• Social Order and Repression: Restoring public order through strong repression of the labor movement and prohibiting public rights, political parties, and trade unions.
• Political Restructuring: Creation of the Patriotic Union (Unión Patriótica), a type of one-party regime intended as a political base.
• Corporate State Influence: Introduction of Corporations, strictly defined labor organizations, designed to replace political parties, mirroring aspects of Italian fascism.
• Administrative Reforms: Implementation of a flexible system for central, provincial, and municipal administration.

Colonial Success: The Moroccan War

In the colonial sphere, a significant turning point occurred with the 1925 landing at Alhucemas Bay in the Rif region of Morocco. This military operation led to the defeat of rebel leader Abd el-Krim in 1926, effectively ending the Moroccan War.

Later Phase: Civil Directory & Decline (1925-1930)

The Military Directory was replaced by a Civil Directory in December 1925, which governed until January 1930. During this period, a National Consultative Assembly (Asamblea Nacional Consultiva) was established. In 1929, this assembly prepared a Preliminary Draft of a Constitution for the Spanish Monarchy. However, this constitutional project proved futile and failed due to the dictatorship's fall in January 1930.

Legacy and Context of the Regime

Following the model of a "new dictator," Primo de Rivera's regime dismantled the parliamentary political framework of the Restoration period. Despite its authoritarian nature, the regime was, to some extent, tolerated by certain leftist forces and moderate trade unionism.