Primo de Rivera Dictatorship (1923-1930) in Spain: Rise, Fall, and Impact

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Primo de Rivera Dictatorship (1923-1930)
The main causes were: widespread social tensions, the instability of successive governments, fear of regionalism (especially Catalan political movements), the disastrous Rif War, and military ambitions. It had the support of the oligarchy, middle classes, and some sectors of republicanism. The dictatorship's ideology was based on nationalism, emphasis on the public sphere, the influence of fascism (particularly Mussolini's Italy), and a program of national regeneration (homeland, religion, and monarchy). It can be divided into two stages:

  • Military Directory (1923-1925):

    A government formed by nine generals, dissolving the courts, banning political parties and unions, and dissolving the Catalan Commonwealth.
  • Civil Government (1925-1930):

    A mixed government with a majority of civilians (Patriotic Union), institutionalizing the dictatorship through a National Consultative Assembly and civilian technocrats. During the dictatorship, political and social action was suppressed, individual and collective liberties were curtailed, and strict media censorship was imposed. Power was concentrated in the hands of provincial governors.

In 1927, the Rif War concluded. In Catalonia, the Commonwealth was abolished (1925), and all Catalan symbols were prohibited. Economically, the dictatorship was characterized by interventionism and protectionism. There was significant expansion of road and rail networks, and electrification. Monopolies were created (CAMPSA, Tabacalera), but improvements in agriculture were lacking.

Fall of the Dictatorship

Despite initial support, the dictatorship faced opposition from intellectuals, the Republican party, anarchists (CNT), and the failure of the Prats de Molló incident (1926). Factors contributing to its downfall included the 1929 Wall Street Crash (causing peseta devaluation), the failure of the political model, loss of support within the army, and King Alfonso XIII's fear of revolution. The dictatorship, and ultimately the monarchy, fell on January 28, 1930.

Francesc Macià proclaimed a Catalan state within an Iberian federation on April 14, 1931. He attempted negotiations with the Madrid government to restore the Generalitat of Catalonia and create an autonomous statute (Estatut de Núria, 1931). This gained widespread popular support (referendum of August 2, 1931). The June 1931 elections resulted in constituent courts, with a clear victory for the Republican Left in Catalonia. The Estatut de Núria presented to the Madrid congress caused controversy and debate. Three main positions emerged: Catalan nationalist parties supporting the statute; the Republican government seeking to amend it; and opposition parties rejecting it and advocating for a united Spain. On September 9, 1932, the statute was approved with the support of President Manuel Azaña's government (52 articles in 18 chapters).

In 1932, Catalan parliamentary elections were held to form the Catalan autonomous government to implement the approved statute. The Republican Left triumphed, followed by the Lliga Catalana as the second most voted party. The ERC handled Catalan autonomous institutions, with Francesc Macià as President of the Government and Lluís Companys as President of Parliament.

However, the October Revolution led to the arrest and suspension of the autonomous government. The Popular Front won the 1936 elections, allowing amnesty for Companys and his government. March 1, 1936: the Generalitat de Catalunya was reinstated.

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