Spain's Tumultuous Decade: Political and Social Upheaval (1914-1923)
The Bankruptcy of the Spanish Political System (1914-1923)
Spain and World War I: Consequences
- Increased demand for Spanish goods led to a positive trade balance.
- Increased production resulted in higher corporate profits.
- A huge gap emerged between prices (inflation) and wages (which stagnated or rose at a slower rate).
- Increased social conflict, influenced by the context of the Russian Revolution.
- Rise of Basque and Catalan nationalism.
The Crisis of 1917
Military Crisis
Issues included an excessive ratio of officers to soldiers. Promotions based on war merit favored 'Africanists' (officers serving in Morocco). Inflation further reduced the real value of already low military salaries.
Boards of Defense and Their Claims
Military associations, known as Boards of Defense, swept through most peninsular garrisons. They demanded wage increases and opposed war merit promotions, claiming seniority as the sole criterion.
The 1917 Manifesto
This manifesto blamed the government for the ills of the army and the country, appealing to regenerationist political renewal using strong language. However, the military did not join other protest groups; they primarily sought to protect their own interests, rather than advocating for broader independent protests.
Political Crisis
The Regionalist League convened an Assembly of Catalan Parliamentarians on July 5th. They sought to establish constituent courts with two objectives:
- To end the corrupt political system of the Restoration Monarchy.
- To achieve autonomy for Catalonia.
Social Crisis
The CNT and UGT trade unions agreed to sign a manifesto urging the government to control prices under the threat of a general strike. The strike had a very uneven effect, with incidents in Madrid, Barcelona, and other areas. The government's reaction was repressive: they declared Martial Law.
The Decomposition of the Political System
Political Instability (1918-1923)
- Frequent changes of government (10 cabinets between 1918 and 1923).
- Governments of concentration (coalition governments).
- Fragmented Parliament, impeding effective governance.
- Frequent suspension of constitutional guarantees.
Social Agitation
Social unrest was influenced by:
- Poor working conditions and living standards for workers.
- The effects of the Russian Revolution.
- Significant growth of labor organizations.
The 'Bolshevik Triennium' in Andalusia
The misery of the peasantry, exacerbated by rising prices, fueled peasant revolts motivated by 'land hunger,' deteriorating wages, and poor living conditions. Crops were burned, and lands were occupied.
The 'Gunmen' (Pistolerismo) in Catalonia
This period saw intense violence:
- Worker Violence: Strikes, sabotage, and 'red terror'.
- Employer Violence: Lock-outs and 'white terror'.
- State Violence: The application of the Ley de Fugas ('Law of Escapes').
The Annual Disaster
In Eastern Morocco, local tribes harassed the Spanish army. General Silvestre was appointed to lead the army. The Spanish army was decisively defeated at Annual, resulting in the loss of territory and approximately 13,000 casualties, including General Silvestre himself. This disaster further destabilized the political landscape.