Spain: From Primo de Rivera to the Franco Dictatorship

From Primo de Rivera to Franco

Between 1923 and 1930, Spain was under a dictatorship, followed by a republic. In 1936, a civil war erupted, leading to the long-standing dictatorship of Francisco Franco.

The Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera

• In 1902, Alfonso XIII ascended to the throne.
• The loss of Cuba and the Philippines in 1898, combined with military defeats in Morocco, led to significant social unrest.
• In 1923, General Primo de Rivera led a military coup, seized control of all government branches, abolished the constitution, and banned political parties.
• The dictatorship ended in 1930 when General Primo de Rivera resigned.

The Second Republic

• In 1931, municipal elections were held, leading to the establishment of a republic.
• King Alfonso XIII left Spain, and the Second Republic was proclaimed.
• The Republican government undertook major reforms:
  • Drafted a constitution granting women the right to vote.
  • Redistributed land among peasants.
  • Built schools and increased worker wages.
  • Reformed the army and granted the first Statute of Autonomy.
• These reforms triggered serious confrontations, resulting in the assassination of several politicians.

The Spanish Civil War

• On July 18, 1936, General Francisco Franco led a military coup, initiating the Civil War.
• The Spanish population was divided into two camps: the Republican side, which supported the government, and the rebellious side, which supported Franco.
• After more than two years of conflict, the army occupied much of the Spanish territory.
• In 1939, Franco's troops occupied Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Cartagena, and Alicante, marking the end of the war.

The Franco Dictatorship

• In 1939, Francisco Franco established his dictatorship, becoming the head of government, state, and the army.
• He abolished the constitution and enacted laws that severely limited civil rights.
• Political parties and trade unions were replaced by a single party and a single union controlled by the government.
• The early years of the dictatorship were marked by extreme hardship and harsh repression.
• Spain faced international isolation as most countries severed diplomatic relations.
• From 1950, the economy improved and foreign relations were normalized, though democracy remained absent.
• The dictatorship finally ended in 1975 following the death of General Franco.

Following the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, the Second Republic was established. In 1936, the Civil War broke out, eventually leading to the Franco dictatorship.