The Spanish Restoration Era: Politics and Society

The Spanish Restoration Period (1874-1923)

The Restoration (1874-1923) is a historical period spanning from the pronunciamiento of General Martínez Campos in 1874 until the Second Republic was proclaimed on April 14, 1931. In December 1874, Prince Alfonso signed the Sandhurst Manifesto, which guaranteed a future monarchy under a dialoguing political system.

The Cánovas System and the Constitution of 1876

The system was configured by Cánovas del Castillo as a liberal parliamentary model. The Constitution of 1876 intended to be a synthesis of the 1845 and 1869 constitutions; it was conservative yet flexible. It established doctrinaire sovereignty shared between the King and the Cortes. The Cortes were bicameral, consisting of the Congress of Deputies and the Senate.

The basic pillars of the Cánovas system were:

• The Crown
• The Army
• The Dynastic Parties

Power was shared between the Liberal and Conservative parties to prevent military pronunciamientos. The army was encouraged to step away from politics to focus on the end of the Carlist War and the conflict in Cuba. Cánovas sought peace, eventually signing the Peace of Zanjón in 1878 to bring order to the Cuban independence movement.

The Turno Pacífico and Political Consolidation

The political system relied on the existence of the Liberal and Conservative parties, both defending the monarchy, the liberal state, and a unitary, centralist constitution. Sagasta led the Liberal Party, while Cánovas led the Liberal-Conservative Party. The Liberals were more progressive and reformist (secular), while the Conservatives were moderate and pro-Church.

The peaceful alternation of power, known as the Turno Pacífico, was made possible by a corrupt and manipulative electoral system called Caciquismo. Control was exercised through the Interior Minister and local bosses (Caciques). This system functioned from 1898 until 1923.

Political Stability and the Pact of El Pardo

The Conservatives governed from 1875, followed by Sagasta in 1881. A long, stable government lasted between 1885 and 1890. Due to fears of destabilization, the Pact of El Pardo was signed, allowing the Liberal government to implement a series of reforms. However, the Restoration system marginalized many sectors of society.

Opposition and the Rise of Regionalism

Republicanism faced heavy repression. Castelar directed a small part of the Partido Posibilista, while federal republicans followed Pi i Margall. During the Restoration, regionalist and nationalist movements also emerged:

• Catalonia: In 1901, the Lliga Regionalista (Regionalist League) was created, led by Prat de la Riba and Cambó, maintaining a conservative political stance.
• Basque Country: Sabino Arana founded the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) in 1894.
• Galicia: Regionalism was late and weak due to a rural society and a lack of a strong bourgeoisie.
• Andalusia and Valencia: Regionalism was even weaker, though Blas Infante gained momentum in Andalusia by 1910.