Primo de Rivera's Manifesto: Origins and Impact of the Dictatorship

Primo de Rivera's Manifesto: A Historical Analysis

The Primo Manifesto is a historical-political text drafted by General Miguel Primo de Rivera, published in the newspaper ABC. This monarchist text emerged in the early twentieth century, amidst strong political commotion caused by the Disaster of '98, which forced the dynastic parties to launch a reformist agenda.

Context and Background

While the political system was being reformed, Spanish society entered a progressive stage of economic development and social modernization. The impact of the First World War, especially its economic growth, along with dynastic divisions between the courts and governments, the exacerbation of social tensions, and the difficulties of warfare in Morocco, served as the excuse for the military coup in September 1923.

The Coup d'État

In September 1923, Primo de Rivera performed a coup d'état. After a few hours of hesitation from King Alfonso XIII, the monarch joined his destiny to the dictator, supporting the coup. The causes of this action are covered in the military manifesto.

Reasons for the Military Intervention

The military felt compelled to save the country from the chaos and misery it was suffering. They decided that the best course of action was to remove the political power, which they believed had failed to maintain the country at a level of welfare following the Crisis of '98. The Tragic Week, the triple crisis, and the Annual disaster, in which Cuba was lost in a very humiliating failure, were all blamed on the practitioners of politics, who remained very concerned by this accusation. The accusation is because the system endured a long period in power.

Primo's Justification

Primo stated that he would operate by taking power, and that this was not an act of rebellion but a necessary action. He reminded Spain of the horror of gangsterism that originated in order to counteract the strength gained by the organized working class. Anarchist groups were injurious to the authorities, employers, and law enforcement.

Social Unrest

In turn, employers and employer federations created patterns and hired guns for hire to destabilize the unions. Critical instability and misery among the peasantry had given way to Trento balchevique. The military was in total dissatisfaction with the attempts of Basque Country and Catalonia to achieve autonomy.

The Dictatorship

Thus, a dictatorship was formed, lasting seven years and having two stages designated by Primo de Rivera: the military Directorio and the civil Directorio. Despite the dictatorship, not all problems were solved; they were merely postponed.

Key Issues:

• Political Instability
• Social Tensions
• Economic Crisis
• Military Intervention
• Regional Autonomy Movements