Spanish Political Leaders and the Bourbon Restoration Era (1875–1930)

Key Figures of the Spanish Restoration and Early 20th Century

Antonio Cánovas del Castillo: Architect of the Restoration

Antonio Cánovas del Castillo, a prominent historian and member of the Liberal Union, served as a Minister under Isabel II. Since 1873, he was the chief proponent of the Alfonsine cause. He became Head of Government after the Bourbon Restoration in 1875 and was the primary inspiration for the 1876 Constitution.

Cánovas ruled without interruption between 1875 and 1881, establishing the system of *turnismo* (the duty of parties to alternate power). He led the Conservative Liberal Party (often referred to simply as the Conservative Party) until his assassination in 1897. Cánovas is considered the key figure of the Bourbon Restoration.

Práxedes Mateo Sagasta: Liberal Leader

Práxedes Mateo Sagasta (referenced in Text 3) was one of the leaders of the revolutionary movement that successfully overthrew Queen Isabel II. He led the Liberal Fusionist Party, which encompassed moderate Republicans and Democrats.

Sagasta served as Head of Government on multiple occasions, alternating power (*turnismo*) with Cánovas del Castillo.

Key Military Figures of the Transition

• General Arsenio Martínez Campos: Led the *pronunciamiento* (military uprising) in Sagunto, proclaiming Alfonso XII as King of Spain, thereby initiating the Restoration.
• General Manuel Pavía: Executed the coup that ended the First Spanish Republic in January 1874.
• General Francisco Serrano: Initially working with Pavía, Serrano managed to impose a military regime that ensured order and helped end the Third Carlist War. He transformed his role from Head of Government of a republic into a personal dictatorship before the Restoration was fully established.

The Rise of Regional Nationalisms

Enric Prat de la Riba (Catalonia)

Prat de la Riba favored a concept of Spain as a "multicountry" nation. In 1891, he helped merge various currents within the *Unió Catalanista*. This group celebrated the Assembly of Manresa in 1892, endorsing the Bases of Manresa (Text 10), a foundational document of modern Catalan nationalism.

Blas Infante (Andalusia)

Blas Infante initiated the formation of Andalusian consciousness, viewing the region as part of a Federal Republic. Although the Federalist Constitution of Andalusia was proclaimed in Antequera in 1883, Infante later championed the cause, advocating for a sovereign and autonomous Andalusia.

Sabino Arana (Basque Country)

Sabino Arana, drawing from traditional *fuerista* (charter) principles, preached that the Basque people—being "different" in race and language—must regain their ancient privileges to achieve full sovereignty, which he defined as independence (Texts 12, 13, and 14). His goal was to return to the essence of the Basque people: the *fueros* (old laws).

Miguel Primo de Rivera: The Dictatorship

Miguel Primo de Rivera, serving as Captain General of Catalonia, staged a *pronunciamiento* in Barcelona in September 1923. He declared a state of war and immediately suspended the 1876 Constitution.

King Alfonso XIII sanctioned the coup and appointed Primo de Rivera as President of a Military Directory, which was later replaced by a Civil Directory. Primo de Rivera subsequently ruled Spain for seven years (1923–1930).