Spain 1909-1917: Tragic Week, Rif War & Crisis

The Tragic Week and the Rif War (1909)

In 1909, Spain's involvement in North Africa, following the Conference of Algeciras, led to the establishment of a protectorate in Morocco. Franco was tasked with organizing the Rif region. Spain's objectives were threefold: to secure economic benefits, restore the prestige of the army, and solidify Spain's position as a colonial power. However, Rif attacks on Spanish troops resulted in a significant defeat at the Barranco del Lobo. The Spanish government responded by increasing the number of soldiers, many of whom were conscripted and ordered to depart from Barcelona. This sparked widespread public outrage.

The mobilization at the port of Barcelona led to the formation of a strike committee and the call for a general strike. This quickly escalated into a popular revolt, known as the *Tragic Week*. Barricades were erected, and more than 80 convents were burned. The government declared a state of war and sent reinforcements to quell the uprising. The subsequent repression was extremely harsh. The Maura government faced intense criticism and eventually yielded power to the Liberals. Later, under Eduardo Dato's leadership, the First World War broke out. Dato declared Spain neutral, which initially boosted the national economy due to increased demand for domestic production. However, this also led to rising domestic prices and growing social conflict.

The Crisis of 1917

The year 1917 saw the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia. In Spain, this coincided with growing military discontent and social unrest, triggering a public outcry against the government. The Spanish army was perceived as having too many officers. This, coupled with low wages, fueled strong discontent, leading to the formation of *Juntas de Defensa* (Defense Committees). These committees demanded wage increases and opposed promotions based solely on merit in the war.

The events of June 1917 highlighted the government's blame on the army for the country's problems. This fueled hopes that the army might support a renewal of national politics. The Dato government was replaced by a Liberal cabinet chaired by the Count of Romanones, but corruption continued. Dato returned to power and refused to reopen the courts. In response, a Parliamentary Assembly was established in Barcelona, calling for a ban on the current government and the formation of a provisional one. The government responded by dissolving the assembly with the Guardia Civil.

A general strike broke out, demanding the end of the monarchy. The government's reaction was, again, very repressive. Martial law was declared, and the army was sent to suppress the strike. Although the strike failed, it marked a turning point, signaling the final crisis of the Restoration period.