Spanish History: From the 1898 Disaster to the Republic

The Spanish-American War and the 1898 Crisis

Before 1898, Cuba demanded autonomy from the central government. Although there were insurrections, General Valeriano Weyler crushed the rebellion with cruelty. The United States began to support the Cuban rebels. The American battleship, USS Maine, exploded mysteriously in Havana harbor; Americans blamed the Spanish for the explosion and declared war on Spain.

The Treaty of Paris and the Colonial Loss

The Spanish-American War took place in both the Pacific and Atlantic. Spain was forced to surrender due to the superiority of the American army. Under the Treaty of Paris (1898), Spain ceded its possessions of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. Consequently, Spain lost its overseas possessions and suffered a severe moral and ideological crisis.

The Regeneracionismo appeared as an intellectual movement that sought an end to political corruption in Spain.

The Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera (1923-1930)

On 13 December 1923, General Primo de Rivera organized a coup d’état and imposed a dictatorship with the support of King Alfonso XIII (1902-1931). His regime took the following actions:

• Suspended the constitution
• Dissolved the parliament
• Banned political parties
• Repressed the working-class movement
• Defeated the Moroccans in the Alhucemas Landing (1925)

In 1925, a new government with civilian politicians was formed. However, by 1930, Primo de Rivera had to resign due to the 1929 economic crisis, rising unemployment, and the reorganization of the working-class movement.

The Proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic

In the municipal elections of 1931, the Republican Party triumphed in the most important cities. Alfonso XIII had to abandon the country, and the Second Republic was proclaimed on 14 April 1931.

The Constitution of 1931

The Constitution of 1931 established several fundamental rights and structures:

• Freedom of expression and association
• Popular sovereignty and universal suffrage (including women)
• Recognition of divorce
• Separation between Church and State
• Regional autonomy

The Reforms of the Azaña Government

The government of Manuel Azaña (composed of republicans and socialists) implemented several important reforms:

• The number of army officers was reduced.
• An autonomy law for Catalonia was passed, while projects for Galicia and the Basque Country were initiated.
• Agrarian reforms were implemented, which consisted of giving uncultivated lands to peasants.
• A 40-hour working week was established.
• The influence of the Church was restricted (divorce and civil marriage), and religious orders were banned from education.
• Public education was promoted through the creation of public schools and new teaching jobs.

The conflicting requirements of the right and left-wing parties caused Azaña to resign in 1933, leading to new elections in November.

The Political System of the Restoration

During this era, there was a pacific alternation of power between the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party.