Spain's 1917 Crisis & 1931 Constitution Reforms

Causes of the Crisis of 1917

As Spain benefited from exporting to other countries while workers continued to receive the same wages, a crisis formed that affected several areas:

• Social Crisis: The socialist unions (UGT) and anarchist unions (CNT) called a general strike with the aim of overthrowing the political system of the Restoration.
• Military Crisis: Soldiers joined organizations called Juntas de Defensa Militar and demanded higher salaries. They also called for political changes and the continuation of the war in Morocco.
• Political Crisis: Catalans, Republicans, and Socialists met in an Assembly of Parliamentarians and tried to impose political reform. However, the assembly was dissolved by the government.

Consequences of the Crisis of 1917

The army exercised control over civil society, and national unity governments were weak and short-lived. Class conflict became widespread because each class sought its own solutions without taking into account the needs of others. The working class, influenced by the Bolshevik revolution in Russia, intensified its struggle. Social unrest increased. In Barcelona, General Martínez repressed the unions and promoted gunmen and the law of escapes, resulting in many deaths. Catalan and Basque nationalists demanded autonomy and political reforms, and the Spanish parliament demanded that the government accept responsibility for the disaster.

Reforms of the Constitution of December 1931

• Popular Sovereignty: The new Spanish state was a "Democratic Republic."
• Universal Male and Female Suffrage from the age of 23.
• Extensive Rights and Freedoms: Several civil rights were recognized, including divorce, civil marriage, equal rights for legitimate and illegitimate children, and the right to free, secular public education.
• Separation of Powers: Legislative power resided in the Cortes. Executive power was shared by the head of state (President of the Republic) and a head of government.
• Right of the Regions to write statutes of autonomy.
• Separation of Church and State: Freedom of thought and religion.