Political Instability and the Fall of the Spanish Monarchy

Internal Problems: Opposition to Turnismo

Political parties did not accept the electoral system established by the Constitution of 1876. Socialism spread following the creation of the General Union of Workers (UGT). Meanwhile, anarchists established the FTRE, which was especially popular among Catalonian industrial workers and Andalusian agricultural workers.

The Reign of Alfonso XIII

Alfonso XIII acceded to the throne in 1902. Historians typically divide his reign into two stages:

The Continued Practice of Party Rotation (1902–1917)

Until 1917, the two-party rotational system was maintained between the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party. The main problem of this period was the war against Morocco:

• The treaty signed at the Algeciras Conference divided Morocco into two protectorates.
• Spanish occupation led to a war with the inhabitants of the Rif, requiring the mobilization of reservists.
• This triggered violent protests in Barcelona, known as the Tragic Week.

The Crisis of the Cánovas System (1917–1923)

Spain suffered a crisis that deeply affected several areas:

• Society: Left-wing political parties and trade unions carried out a general strike to protest rising prices and to attempt to overthrow the government.
• Domestic: The economic crisis following World War I led to violent clashes between workers and bosses, resulting in numerous strikes.
• Abroad: Spain suffered a brutal defeat in the Rif War, known as the Disaster at Annual. This was followed by a coup d'état by Primo de Rivera, who imposed a dictatorship supported by the King.

Dictatorship and the End of the Monarchy

The dictatorship consisted of two different governments:

• Military Directory (1923–1925): Primo de Rivera suspended the Constitution, dissolved the Cortes, prohibited political parties, and defeated the Moroccans.
• Civil Directory (1925–1930): The military victory in Morocco helped Primo de Rivera maintain power.

In January 1930, due to the economic crisis, Primo de Rivera was forced to resign. Alfonso XIII attempted to return to the parliamentary system, first with General Dámaso Berenguer and later with Aznar. However, citizens' disapproval of the King's support for the dictatorship led to significant Republican victories in the 1931 municipal elections in several major cities. The King went into exile on 14 April 1931, and the Second Republic was declared.