Spanish Regenerationism: Political Reform and Modernization

Social Mobility and Democratization

Alongside this economic progress, there was greater social mobility and further democratization of politics, thanks to two factors:

• New constituencies: Created in large cities outside the domain of the political chiefs.
• Public administration: Consolidated by independent officers who entered office based on their own merits.

Types of Regenerationism

When discussing regenerationism, two distinct types can be identified:

1. First Regeneration

This movement of the middle classes was more homogeneous than the second, though less widespread and more elitist. It aimed to replace the politics of the Restoration—which favored oligarchies—with a policy that would bring about:

• The distribution of land.
• The construction of large hydraulic works.
• The establishment of an educational program coupled with the construction of schools to lift the masses out of ignorance.

2. Second Regeneration

Starting after 1898, this movement focused on the reign of Alfonso XIII. It shared the initial idea of regenerating Spain but went further and became more widely recognized. It spanned all ideologies and included prominent figures in politics and culture, such as:

• Political figures: The King, Francisco Silvela, Segismundo Moret, Antonio Maura, Eduardo Dato, and Miguel Primo de Rivera.
• Literary figures: Unamuno, Ortega y Gasset, and Valle-Inclán.

Regenerationist Trends

All regenerationist currents can be grouped into two trends:

• Top-down: Arising within the regime itself, represented by figures like Silvela, Canalejas, and Maura.
• Bottom-up: Starred by proletarian, nationalist, and republican movements.

Attempts to Regenerate the System

By the last decade of the 19th century, the Restoration system showed signs of weakening, compounded by the crisis of 1898. The loss of the colonies highlighted the urgent need to reform or rebuild the system to ensure its survival. However, the system remained governed by the Constitution of 1876 and the political chiefs, which continued to exclude most of society from political life.

The early years of the 20th century in Spain held a significance that went beyond the crisis of 1898. From this moment, the myth of the liberal revolution was replaced by the call for national regeneration.

Despite facing multiple problems, this period also began the process of modernizing Spain. The Restoration had provided a long period of stability and peace, alongside significant economic growth that extended into the reign of Alfonso XIII; between 1890 and 1914, rail traffic multiplied significantly.