Spanish Dynastic Politics and Opposition Movements

Dynastic Parties and Political Opposition

Reformism within Dynastic Politics

The governments led by Antonio Maura (Conservative) and José Canalejas (Liberal) marked a generation of politicians influenced by regeneralismo, who spearheaded major reform projects from within the existing system.

Maura's Government: Revolution from Above

The government headed by Maura designed the so-called "revolution from above," aiming to regenerate the system by forming a new political class supported by the "neutral mass." Key actions included:

• An electoral reform that, while failing to eliminate corruption, made electoral fraud more difficult.
• A boost to social policy with the creation of the National Insurance Institute.

Canalejas's Liberal Reforms

Integrated into this project was the Local Administration Act of 1910, enacted under the subsequent Liberal government led by José Canalejas. His plan sought to modernize political life by attracting popular sectors through reforms and limiting the power of the Church. He promoted the separation of church and state, leading to conflicts with the Vatican, especially after the enactment of the "Padlock Law," which restricted the establishment of new religious orders in Spain.

Social policy focused on replacing the consumption tax with a progressive tax on urban incomes. Legislation was also passed regarding military recruitment. Canalejas continued the policy developed by the Associations Act, which accepted the possibility of trade union organization and was approved in 1914 under the Conservative government of Dato.

Strengthening of the Opposition

Opposition forces felt they had not capitalized on the crisis of '98 to dismantle the dynastic party system.

Republicanism and Socialism

Republicanism was the main political opposition force. With the goal of uniting various groups around the veteran Republican Salmerón, the Republican Union was founded in 1903 but soon declined.

Within republicanism, a new group, the Radical Party, emerged in 1908, led by Alejandro Lerroux, which gained influence among the popular classes in Barcelona.

In the following years, the PSOE collaborated with other left-wing forces without abandoning its revolutionary principles. Thus, in coalition with the Republicans, the Socialists achieved their first representative in Congress in 1910 (Pablo Iglesias).