Crises and Transformations in Early 20th Century Spain

Crises and Political Instability in Early 20th Century Spain

Civilismo Crisis

Assault on Cu-Cut! (1905), Law Courts (1906) and Catalan Solidarity (many seats in Congress). Election: 21/04/1907

Pardo Crisis

Local Administration Act, Tragic Week (26-31/07/1909): reservists, Strike / Francisco Ferrer Guardia, Consequences, Canalejas "Work."

Multiple Crisis of 1917

Defense Boards / War merits, Rise in Locks Courts, the Parliamentary Assembly, August 1917 general strike.

Decomposition of the System

Fragmentation of dynastic parties / government instability, social unrest (Soviet Revolution in 1917), Disaster of Annual 1921, 10 governments (1918-23), Pronunciamiento of Primo de Rivera (12-13/09/1923).

Catalan Identity and Political Movements

Catalan Clarity

The Catalan nationality (1906) - Enric Prat de Riba.

Catalanists:

Conservatives:

Regionalist League (Prat Riba) divided into the Republican National Center (1906), Action Catalan (1922); Regionalist Union (the Catalans are manufacturers).

Left:

Catalan Republican Party (1917; Companys, Franscesc Layret), Catalan State (1922; Franscesc Macia): ERC form. Socialist Union of Catalonia (1923; Moret)

Anti-Catalan:

Radical Republican Party (1908; Alejandro Lerroux).

Combined Catalonia

Draft joint Canalejas Prat Riba law, not political power (all distinguished parliamentarians), Work (Libraries, schools, social initiative)

The Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera

Differences

Difference between Primo de Rivera (military regenerationist) and Mussolini, Salazar (civilian fascists). Conspiracy of Prats de Mollo (1925; Catalan state, Macia)

Support:

PSOE and UGT, Rural Spain, financial and industrial bourgeoisie.

Opposition:

Class 1 / 2 of the cities, nationalism, the CNT and the FAI.

Military Directory (1923-25):

The state was trying to organize on the basis of 2 parties: the Patriotic Union (standing, first) and PSOE (not accepted)

Morocco Problem Resolution:

In 1925 there is agreement with France and Victory in the Bay of Alhucemas. Social conflict declines.

Civil Directory (1925-30):

Creation of the National Consultative Assembly; Construction of roads, railways, modern home water policy. Public works: reducing unemployment, increasing debt.

Fall:

The opposition is growing. Fights with the military: 23/06/1926 Sanjuanada: conspiracy against the dictatorship for political and general reasons.

Peseta devaluation with economic crisis in 1929, the resignation and exile in Paris 28/01/1930. The king appoints Damaso Berenguer.

Demographics

19th Century

Spain:

The population growth has declined because of the birth rate and mortality. There is famine, epidemics, war, and migration. There are also improvements in health, industrial, and agricultural sectors.

Catalonia:

Low birth rates and population growth due to positive immigration.

20th Century

Spain:

The population grows by 30%. Birth rate rises and mortality lowers. The last outbreak in 1918 occurs with the flu. Rural exodus continues but the country retains the highest economic activity. Large cities begin to form and secondary cities are growing.

Catalonia:

Catalan growth is different from the rest of Spain. The birth rate is low and mortality as well. Populations grow.

19th Century Economy: Rural Economy

Spain:

Agriculture is rainfed. Increase in exports of citrus, almonds. Introduced ambivalent cultivars.

Catalonia:

Economic Growth. Between 1876 and 1886 is when the gold rush from 1876 to 1882 saw an era of expansion and 1882 to 1886 saw a time of crisis.

From Dictatorship to Republic

Return to the previous regime dictatorship is impossible; reasons:

1. Dynastic parties discredited and disorganized.
2. The king was unpopular.
3. Anti-dynastic forces united and took an initiative which culminated in the Pact of San Sebastian (17/08/1930)