Spain's Political Crisis and Regeneration under Alfonso XIII (1902-1931)

The Reign of Alfonso XIII (1902-1931)

The reign of Alfonso XIII is divided into several periods: the crisis of the Restoration system, which led to the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera in 1923, and the subsequent failure of the monarchy in 1931. This reign coincided with an arms race that impacted the economy and politics, particularly in relation to the Spanish-American War.

The **Disaster of '98** (the loss of the last colonies) led to *Regenerationism*, a movement promoted by intellectuals who denounced Spain's state of prostration and demanded reform. However, these efforts failed due to disputes among political parties.

The period 1902–1923 is characterized by profound political crisis. The new king took an active role in political changes and surrounded himself with military sectors. The Conservative and Liberal parties entered crisis due to the disappearance of historical leaders and the emergence of new political forces, making the maintenance of electoral distortion (*caciquismo*) difficult.

Key problems that increased social tension included:

• Social struggles, heightened by increased awareness and capacity for mobilizing the working class.
• The religious question, as progressive critics sharpened their attacks on Church power.
• The military problem (stemming from the Crisis of '98), leading to the growth of anti-militarism.
• The problem in Morocco, driven by the hope of creating a colonial empire.
• The rising force of nationalism.

Regenerationism and Reform Attempts

Reformist attempts, characterized by Regenerationist ideals, were undertaken by political forces. Spain had lost its last colonies, resulting in widespread poverty and backwardness compared to other European nations. However, renovation plans failed to challenge the power structure or the oligarchy of the two-party system (*el turno*).

Francisco Silvela faced a significant problem in Catalonia. The triumph of the *Lliga Regionalista* (led by Prat de la Riba and Cambó) in 1905 alarmed the military. Newspapers were assaulted and closed. Constitutional guarantees were suspended, and the **Law of Jurisdictions** was adopted. This law identified crimes against the army as crimes against the homeland and placed them under military jurisdiction.

Nationalist parties, Republicans, and labor organizations demanded its repeal. In response, Catalan political forces formed *Solidaritat Catalana*, which won the 1907 elections, effectively displacing the Liberal and Conservative parties in Catalonia.

Antonio Maura's Government (1907-1909)

Antonio Maura became Head of Government in 1907. His reforms included large public investments, such as support for industry, naval reconstruction, and improvements in agriculture. He also established Sunday rest, regulated the working hours of women and children, and created the National Insurance Institute (the foundation of Social Security).

Maura sought to end *caciquismo* and encourage political participation among the population by amending the election law to establish compulsory voting.

The Tragic Week of 1909

The crisis culminated in the Tragic Week of 1909. The conflict was related to the ongoing war in Morocco: the Rif War caused a military defeat at the Barranco del Lobo. Maura ordered the call-up of reservists.

Labor organizations called for a general strike in Barcelona against the troop embarkation, which quickly escalated into an insurrection.