The Primo de Rivera Dictatorship and the Second Republic

The Primo de Rivera Dictatorship

The Primo de Rivera coup d'état was driven by political instability, governmental crisis, nationalism, social unrest, and severe government repression. The 1921 Annual disaster in the War of Morocco further fueled criticism from the opposition regarding the regeneration of the political system.

Objectives and Support

Objectives: To restore order in Spain and promote national regeneration.

Support: The King, the Army, landowners, the Church, Republicans, and the PSOE/UGT.

Opposition: Middle classes, students, intellectuals, Republicans, peripheral nationalists, the CNT, PSOE, and UGT.

Actions and Policies

The military government suspended the constitution, promulgated municipal statutes, and attempted tax reforms to end the conflict in Morocco and social unrest. A National Constituent Assembly was created with an advisory role.

• Educational Policy: Increased school construction and higher salaries for teachers.
• Economic Policy: Infrastructure construction and reforms to reduce unemployment.

The Fall of the Dictatorship

The regime collapsed due to harassment from the left, growing opposition from intellectuals, students, the military, and Republicans. Additional factors included anti-Catalan policies, the 1929 economic crisis, and a lack of support from the Church.

The Second Republic

Following the Primo de Rivera dictatorship, Alfonso XIII appointed General Berenguer to head the government and prepare for elections to restore constitutional legality.

The Proclamation of the Republic

When municipal elections were announced, the opposition to the monarchy formed a coalition known as the Pact of San Sebastián (1930). The coalition's success in the elections led to a dramatic change; Alfonso XIII suspended his royal powers and went into exile. The Republic was proclaimed in 1931.

The Interim Government and the 1931 Constitution

A provisional government, formed by representatives of the Pact of San Sebastián, called for elections to the Constituent Cortes. The Republican-Socialist coalition won the majority, leading to the approval of the 1931 Constitution.

Key Features of the 1931 Constitution:

• Defined Spain as a democratic country of workers of all classes.
• Guaranteed freedom of worship and religion.
• Established universal suffrage for men and women.
• Protected individual freedoms.
• Legislative power resided in Parliament; executive power in the Cabinet and the President of the Republic.
• Allowed for the construction of autonomous governments.

Niceto Alcalá Zamora was elected President of the Republic, and Manuel Azaña presided over a government of socialists, nationalists, and republicans.