Spanish Political Crisis: Conservative and Liberal Reforms (1898-1917)

Fall of Turnismo and Conservative Reformism

Conservative Reformism began with a major crisis caused by the Disaster of '98, which led the dynastic parties to initiate a reform program to rebuild the political life of Spain. Silvela and Antonio Maura's conservative governments attempted several reforms until 1909, focusing on finance, local administration, or electoral law.

However, this attempt to stabilize the political system—without destroying electoral despotism and corruption—was a failure. While the Turno parties lost influence, opposition strengthened:

• Catalan Nationalist Groups achieved a significant electoral victory in 1907.
• Socialism (PSOE) and its trade union (UGT) consolidated their presence in Madrid, the Basque Country, and Asturias.
• Anarchists remained fragmented. While some defended radical terrorist activities, others founded the CNT in 1910.

The Tragic Week (1909)

In 1909, political life deteriorated with a popular uprising in Barcelona, known as the Tragic Week. The spark that started the revolt was the opposition to the recruitment of soldiers for the War in Morocco. The uprising was crushed by the army, and the resulting repression was disproportionate. These events led to public rejection and the resignation of Maura. Faced with this situation, the King commissioned the Liberals to form a new government.

Liberal Reformism (1910-1912)

Since 1910, the Liberals launched a reformist attempt under José Canalejas. This period saw a strengthening of the civil power of the state against the influence of the Catholic Church. It also initiated a certain decentralization of the state, resulting in the Commonwealth of Catalonia (1914).

Canalejas's assassination by anarchists in 1912 opened a period of instability that returned conservatives to power after 1913.

The Crisis of 1917

Given the growing social problems, Conservative leader Dato ruled in an authoritarian manner, often closing the courts and ruling by decree-law.

Unrest erupted in 1917 when the economic situation created in Spain by the First World War generated a broad protest movement. The elements of political opposition demanded the government's resignation and called for Constituent Courts. Simultaneously, military groups organized defense juntas and engaged in politics against the last government. Consequently, the CNT and UGT trade unions called for a revolutionary general strike aimed at overthrowing the government.