Spain 1917-1931: Instability, Dictatorship, and Transition

Spanish Political Instability (1917-1923)

Between 1917 and 1923, Spain saw 13 different governments formed, highlighting the lack of parliamentary support for the ruling parties.

Social Conflict and Labor Unrest

This political instability was accompanied by the strong growth of trade unions. The CNT (Confederación Nacional del Trabajo) reached 700,000 affiliates, promoting mobilization in defense of better wages and working conditions. Key leaders included Salvador Seguí, Ángel Pestaña, and Joan Peiró. The workers' struggle had the most significant impact in Barcelona and its industrial area. The most important conflict was the strike at the Canadian company, which paralyzed industry and services for over 40 days.

The Annual Disaster (1921)

In 1921, the Spanish army suffered a resounding defeat at Annual in the Moroccan Rif. Faced with this disaster, the opposition demanded an investigation into the responsibilities for the loss (known as the Picasso File).

The Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera (1923-1930)

Rise to Power and Justification

In 1923, the Captain General of Catalonia, Miguel Primo de Rivera, staged a coup d'état with the consent of King Alfonso XIII. The coup was justified on the grounds that the Spanish constitutional and parliamentary system was discredited, unable to guarantee order, and incapable of stopping social revolution.

Actions and Repression

The new regime instituted a military dictatorship. It suspended the constitution, dissolved parliament, and banned political parties. It also abolished the Commonwealth of Catalonia and suppressed all public expressions of Catalan identity.

End of the Dictatorship

The military dictatorship managed to maintain power partly thanks to a favorable economic situation. However, lacking sufficient support, the dictator resigned in January 1930.

The Interim Government (1930-1931)

Following Primo de Rivera's resignation, a provisional government was formed, composed of Socialists, left-wing Republicans, and Catalan nationalists. This government initiated the first reforms:

• Amnesty: Granted for political prisoners and allowed freedom for political parties.
• Social Laws: Implemented to improve the situation of laborers, including:
  • An eight-hour workday.
  • The law of mixed juries.
• Catalan Autonomy: Establishment of a Provisional Government of Catalonia (Generalitat), in anticipation of autonomy status.

In its first months, the new government had to face new conflicts, notably the burning of convents (partly in response to perceived support for the monarchy by the ecclesiastical hierarchy) and widespread worker strikes. In June 1931, elections were called for the Constituent Cortes, paving the way for the Second Spanish Republic.