Spain's 1917 Crisis: Causes, Impact, and the Fall of the Canovista System

The Crisis of 1917 in Spain: A Turning Point

In 1917, a serious crisis emerged in Spain, exposing the inherent weaknesses of the Canovista system. This period was marked by significant internal and external pressures.

Causes of the Crisis

• Internal Division and Policy Vacuum: The dynastic parties suffered from deep internal divisions and a notable lack of relevant policies to address the nation's growing challenges.
• Economic Impact of World War I: Although Spain was neutral, the First World War provoked a sharp global price rise for essential products. This led to a significant decrease in the purchasing power of the working class, fueling widespread discontent.
• Influence of the Russian Revolution: The success of the Russian Revolution in 1917 awakened hopes in the Spanish working class for a similar revolutionary change in their own country, inspiring calls for radical reform.

Manifestations of the Crisis

This multifaceted crisis manifested in three primary ways:

1. The Military Crisis

The military high command resisted excessive modernization of the army. Promotions based on merit, particularly those favoring Africanist militants (veterans of colonial wars), caused resentment among other officers. Furthermore, rising prices severely reduced the real wages of military personnel. This discontent led to the formation of 'Juntas de Defensa' (Defense Boards) in Catalonia, which quickly spread throughout Spain. The Juntas de Defensa demanded:

• A salary increase.
• Opposition to merit-based promotions, especially those related to war service.
• They considered the government responsible for all the country's ills.

2. The Political Crisis

The government of Eduardo Dato (Conservative), facing the country's serious situation, dissolved the Cortes (parliament) and suspended constitutional liberties. This authoritarian move led to a Parliamentary Assembly meeting in Barcelona in July 1917. Attended by senators and deputies from the Regionalist League (led by Cambó), Socialists, and Republicans, the assembly demanded a fundamental change in government and called for a Constituent Cortes to draft a new constitution that would adapt to Spain's changing social and economic realities. However, popular support for the assembly was scarce, and it ultimately failed and was dissolved.

3. The Social Crisis: The General Strike

Falling wages, coupled with strong benefits for employers, culminated in the first general strike in Spain in 1917. Organized jointly by the UGT (Unión General de Trabajadores) and the CNT (Confederación Nacional del Trabajo), the strike extended throughout Spain but gained particular force in Catalonia, Vizcaya, and Asturias. The government responded harshly, sending the army against demonstrators and causing a large number of deaths.

Consequences of the Crisis

Between 1917 and 1923, Spain saw a rapid succession of unstable coalition governments. The most notable was chaired by Antonio Maura in 1918, integrating representatives from the most relevant political parties: dynastic parties (Dato - Conservative, Romanones - Liberal) and the Regionalist League (Cambó). However, persistent disagreements between these politicians led to the swift failure of Maura's government.

Two key events in 1921 further facilitated the decomposition of the Canovista system:

1. On March 8, 1921, Eduardo Dato, a prominent conservative leader, was assassinated by an anarchist group.
2. In July 1921, Spanish troops suffered a decisive defeat in the Rif War in Morocco, an event known as the Disaster of Annual.

These cumulative events ultimately led to the coup d'état carried out by Miguel Primo de Rivera in September 1923, which effectively ended the Canovista system and ushered in a new era of authoritarian rule in Spain.