SPAIN

FROM THE DISASTER OF '98 TO THE CIVIL WAR

 Content
01 THE DISASTER OF '98

02 THE CRISIS OF THE RESTORATION

03 THE SECOND REPUBLIC

04 THE CIVIL WAR

the disaster of '98
 Spanish
Empire

PUERTO RICO
CUBA

19th century

PHILIPPINES

Out of the great Spanish colonial empire, by the second

half of the 19th century Spain retained only a few small
islands in the Pacific Ocean, including Cuba, the
Philippines and Puerto Rico.
 FIRST REVOLUTIONS

until

CUBA LOYAL TO THE

MONARCHY

In the Spanish-American emancipation of the early 19th

century, Cuba had remained loyal to the Spanish crown,
but with the overthrow of Queen Isabella II, a group of
Cuban independence fighters seized the opportunity to
start a revolution under the slogan "Viva Cuba libre"
 CUBAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE

In the 1890s, there were independence movements in both Cuba

and the Philippines. There were uprisings in 1879, 1883 and 1885.
José Martí led the final Cuban War of Independence (1895-98).
Military forces were sent from Spain. to repress it, but they suffered
losses from both rebel attacks and epidemics.
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR

On 1st May 1898, the American fleet defeated the Spanish fleet in the
Philippines. On 3rd July 1898, the American fleet also destroyed the Spanish
Caribbean fleet in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba.

Following the Treaty of Paris, Cuba became independent, although under

American control. The Philippines and Puerto Rico became American
colonies. This marked the end of the Spanish Empire in America and Asia.
 CONSEQUENCES OF THE '98 DISASTER
This defeat and loss of territory, known as the Disaster of 98', caused a major crisis of confidence within Spain. It helped
to create an intellectual climate of pessimism.

The Conservative and Liberal Parties alternated in goverment in order to

guarantee stability in Spain. Until the late 19th century, the conservative
Antonio Cánovas del Castillo and the liberal Práxedes Mateo Sagasta took
turns to head the goverment. This system is called Canovist

When Cánovas died, Francisco Silvela succeded him as leader of the

Conservative Party.

CRISIS OF
THE CANOVIST SYSTEM
 CONSEQUENCES OF THE '98 DISASTER

REGENERATIONISM Spanish Regenerationism refers to a political and cultural movement that

emerged in Spain during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It aimed to
modernize and revitalize the country by promoting economic, social, and political
reforms.

Regenerationism was a response to Spain's decline as a major world power, which

was evident in the loss of its colonies and the deteriorating economy. The
movement called for a national revival through the adoption of liberal and
progressive reforms that would promote industrialization, education, and social
welfare.

One of the most prominent figures of the Regenerationist movement was Joaquín Costa, who is considered the father of
Spanish Regenerationism. Costa argued that Spain's backwardness was due to its outdated political and economic
institutions, and he called for a radical overhaul of the country's social and political structures.
CONSEQUENCES OF THE '98 DISASTER

RISE OF VASC AND CATALAN

NATIONALISM

The loss of the colonies and the defeat in the war prompted Spain to
reevaluate its national identity. It sparked debates and discussions about
Spain's role in the world, its historical legacy, and its place among other
European nations.
 CONSEQUENCES OF THE '98 DISASTER

Some of the most prominent writers

associated with the Generation of '98 include:
Miguel de Unamuno, Pío Baroja, Azorín y
Ramon María del Valle-Inclán.

GENERATION OF '98

The 98th generation, also known as the Generation of '98 (Generación del 98 in Spanish), refers to a group of Spanish
writers and intellectuals who were active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This literary movement emerged in
response to the Spanish-American War of 1898 and the subsequent loss of Spain's last colonies.

The Generation of '98 was characterized by a deep sense of disillusionment and a critical examination of Spain's identity,
history, and cultural values. They questioned the decline of Spain as a global power and explored themes such as national
identity, existential crisis, moral decay, and the search for Spain's authentic roots.
 CURIOSITIES OF HISTORY

The name "Cubalibre" carries historical significance

because it symbolizes the desire for Cuba to be free
from Spanish colonial rule. It became a celebratory
drink associated with Cuba's independence and its
people's aspirations for freedom.

Over time, the Cubalibre cocktail has spread beyond

Cuba and become popular internationally as a classic
rum-based mixed drink.
the crisis of the
restoration
 THE REIGN OF ALFONSO XIII (1902-1923)

Alfonso XIII was the King of Spain from 1886 until 1931. His mother, Queen Maria
Christina, served as regent until he came of age in 1902. His reign is often referred to
as the "constitutional reign" because during this period, Spain had a constitutional
monarchy. Here are some key points about Alfonso XIII's constitutional reign:

During his reign, Alfonso XIII faced numerous challenges and political instability in
Spain. He witnessed the Spanish-American War in 1898, the loss of the Spanish
colonies of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. He also experienced the Rif
War in Morocco, which put a strain on the Spanish economy and military.

The monarchy faced growing criticism, and republican and socialist movements gained traction.
In 1923, General Miguel Primo de Rivera seized power in a military coup, establishing a military dictatorship known as the Primo de
Rivera dictatorship. Alfonso XIII initially supported the dictatorship as an attempt to restore stability, but it eventually proved to be
unpopular and failed to address the country's underlying problems. In 1931, following a municipal election in which Republicans
and Socialists won a majority of the vote, Alfonso XIII was forced to abdicate and leave Spain. This marked the end of the
constitutional monarchy and the beginning of the Second Spanish Republic.
 THE CRISIS OF THE MONARCHY

The Constitution of 1876 was still in force. The Conservative Party under Antonio Maura, and the Liberal
Party under Jose Canalejas, maintained the traditional system of alternation (turnismo):

Maura reformed electoral law and local government in an unsuccessful effort to end caciquismo.
Canalejas introduced social reforms, but met opposition with the ley del candado, which restricted
the foundation of new religious orders.

However, alternation did not take into account the emergence of new political forces:
The Catalan and Basque bourgeoisie supported nationalist parties, like the Regionalist League in Cataluna and the Basque Nationalist Party.
The middle and working classes supported republican parties and PSOE (Partido Socialista)
Trade unions, notably the socialist UGT and the anarchist CNT, acquired many new members.

The emergence of new social forces led to several periods of tension from 1909 onwards:
The Tragic Week in Barcelona in 1909.
The protests of 1917. Three different crises coincided that year and caused great instability:
Military personnel claimed that promotions were discriminatory.
An assembly in Barcelona demanded autonomy for Cataluña.
The trade unions called a general strike.
Workers' movements. Influenced by the Russian Revolution, working-class protests intensified between 1919 and 1923. The police brutally repressed
the protesters.
 THE DICTATORSHIP OF
PRIMO DE RIVERA (1923-1930)

Primo de Rivera came to power through a military coup in September 1923, which was supported by King Alfonso XIII. He dissolved the
parliament, suspended the constitution, and established a military dictatorship. During his rule, he implemented a series of reforms aimed at
modernizing and stabilizing the country, including public works projects, labor and social reforms, and infrastructure development.

However, Primo de Rivera's regime was also characterized by repression and censorship. Political opponents were suppressed, trade unions were
banned, and civil liberties were restricted. The regime relied heavily on the military and had a conservative and corporatist ideology.

Despite some initial popularity, the regime faced increasing opposition over time. Economic difficulties persisted, and political repression
intensified. By the late 1920s, the regime had become unpopular among intellectuals, students, workers and nationalist groups. Alfonso XIII
withdrew his support of the dictatorship in 1929, and Primo de Rivera resigned in 1930 and the monarchy was restored.
The Constitution of 1876 was also restored, and elections were planned for April 1931. However, opposition to the monarchy had grown because
the king was considered an accomplice to the dictatorship.
ACTIVITIES
the second
republic
PROCLAMATION OF THE 2ND REPUBLIC

Context: The end of the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera and the discontent with the
Monarchy institution.
In 1930, republican socialist and Catalan nationalist politicians signed the Pact of San
Sebastian with the aim to overthrowing the monarchy.

The pact of San Sebastian

PROCLAMATION OF THE 2ND REPUBLIC

In the municipal elections of 12th April 1931, republican candidates won in nearly all the
provincial capitals. The elections were seen as a victory for the republicans. Alfonso XIII
went into exile and a provisional government proclaimed the Second Spanish Republic on
14th April 1931.

Municipal elections April 12th of 1931

PROCLAMATION OF THE 2ND REPUBLIC

Alfonso XIII went into exile

 THE PROVISIONAL GOVERMENT AND CONSTITUTION OF 1931

The new government was formed by the parties who had signed the Pact of San Sebastian, and was headed by Niceto Alcalá
Zamora. He called elections for a constituent parliament, which republican parties won.

The parliament approved the Constitution of 1931, which established a fully democratic
regime:

RIGHTS: Many individual freedoms were established, like freedom of

NICETO ALCALÁ ZAMORA
(President = Jefe de Estado)
expression, assembly and association; the right to divorce; and universal male
and female suffrage.
RELIGION: Spain became a non-confessional state with no official religion.
The right to a secular education was also recognised.
DECENTRALIZATION: It allowed for the possibility of creating autonomous
regions.
SOCIAL WELFARE: Assets that were of public use could be expropriated, and
public education was promoted.
Proclamation speech of Alcala Zamora
 (1) PHASES: THE BIENIO REFORMISTA (1931-1933)

In December 1931, Niceto Alcalá Zamora became president of the Republic, and Manuel Azana was named prime minister.
Azana's government carried out a series of reforms the period 1931-1933, which became known as the Bienio Reformista.

The main reforms were:

Autonomy of Cataluña. The Catalan Statute was passed in 1932, and the
Generalitat de Cataluña was created.
Military reform. The length of military service was reduced. Army officers had
to swear lovalty to the Republic; those who did not were transferred to the
reserves.
Agrarian reform. A law was passed expropriating large estates and
uncultivated land.
Labour reforms. These regulated contracts between employers and workers,
and established minimum wages and accident insurance for workers.
Education. This was made a priority as it was seen as the key to social
progress.
MANUEL AZAÑA Civil marriage and divorce were legalised.

(Prime Minister = Jefe de Gobierno)

Education in the republic
(2)PHASES: THE BIENIO CONSERVADOR (1933-1935)

Azaña's government faced opposition from both the right and the left. Large landowners
and high-ranking members of the Church and army considered that the reforms were
too radical. On the other hand, anarchists and union activists believed that they did not
go far enough.

Manuel Azaña resigned in September 1933, and new elections were held. The electoral
system favoured unified political forces, and several right-wing groups joined together
to form a large party. This was the Confederación Española de Derechas Autónomas
(CEDA), which was led by José María Gil Robles. The centre and right-wing parties
won the elections, and the Radical Party, led by Alejandro Lerroux, formed a new
government with support from CEDA.

Republican changes, such as the agrarian reform, were halted or reversed during a
two-year period known as the Bienio Conservador (1933-1935).

Tensions grew between the left and the right when Lerroux named three ministers from
the CEDA, which left-wing parties considered anti-democratic. In October 1934, left-
wing parties called for a revolutionary strike. Several tensions exploded. The
government survived, but a year later it was brought down by ideological divisions ant a
corruption scandal in the Radical Party. New elections were called for February 1936. ALEJANDRO LERROUX
(Prime Minister = Jefe de Gobierno)
 (3) PHASES: THE POPULAR FRONT (1936)

Just as the right-wing groups had benefitted from unity in 1933, left-wing political groups worked together for
the new elections of 1936. They formed the Popular Front, which consisted of socialists, communists, left-
wing republicans and some nationalists.

On the right, the CEDA was still the main party, but it was joined by extremist leaders, like the fascist-style
Falange Española, which was led by José Antonio Primo de Rivera, the son of the former dictator.
The Popular Front narrowly won the elections of February 1936. They formed a government, which
prepared a new wave of reforms.

Soon after the elections, a group of right-wing army officers led by General Emilio Mola began to plan a
military coup d'état against the Republic.
In May 1936, Manuel Azaña replaced Alcalá Zamora as president of the Republic at a time of rising tension.
There were strikes, church burnings, and violent confrontations between Falangists and the members of
worker's groups.
 (4) THE END OF THE REPUBLIC

On 12th July 1936, right-wing gunmen killed Lieutenant Castillo, a left-wing army officer.
In revenge, a right-wing politician, José Calvo Sotelo, was killed the following day.

By July 1936, the military conspirators had completed their preparations. On 17th July they initiated a
military rebellion in Spanish Morocco, and on 18th July they extended it to peninsular Spain.

Assassination of Calvo Sotelo

POLITICAL PARTIES
 POLITICAL PARTIES
LA FALANGE

Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera

 WOMEN IN THE REPUBLIC
Spanish women in the 1930s
In 1931, the educational level of Spanish women was low. However,
institutions such as the Residencia de Señoritas in Madrid, which
was run by Maria de Maeztu, aimed to help women get places at
university.
Many women worked in the fields or in factories, but earned lower
wages than men. Women also had to add time for housework and
childcare to their days. However, some women did excel in art,
philosophy and literature. This was the case of the group known as
'Las Sinsombrero'. Among them were Rosa Chacel, María Teresa
León, Maruja Mallo and María Zambrano.
The right to vote
Women could not vote when the Second Republic was proclaimed,
but women over 23 years of age could be elected to certain public
offices. Thus, there were three female members of parliament in
the constituent parliament of 1931: Clara Campoamor, Victoria
Kent and Margarita Nelken.
Female suffrage was an important issue wher the Constitution of
1931 was being debated. In the end, female suffrage passed
Other achievements of the republican period
Several measures were taken during the Second Republic to
improve the situation of women:
Obligatory maternity leave came into force. Women could
now have paid leave after having a baby.
Women were allowed to hold certain administrative
positions that had previously only been held by men, such as
notary, lawyer and property registrar.
Equal pay among men and women was officially established,
although in practice it was never achieved.
WOMEN IN THE REPUBLIC
Women vote for the first time
Discussing women's suffrage
the civil war
THE COUP D'ÉTAT AND DIVISION OF SPAIN
The rebellion of the army in Africa on 17th July 1936 moved to the Peninsula on 18th July. The
coup was led by Generals Sanjurjo, Franco and Mola. It was supported by part of the army, and
by Carlists, monarchists, conservatives, Falangists and most of the Church.

Spain became divided into two zones:

• The area dominated by the rebels covered northern Castilla, Galicia, northwest Extremadura,
some cities in western Andalucía, Navarra, Baleares (except Menorca) and Canarias. The rebels
were called 'Nationalists'.

• The republicans controlled most of Aragón, the north of Spain (except Navarra), Cataluña, the
Levante region, Madrid and nearly all of Andalucia.
THE SIDE ON THE RIGHT
WERE CALLED
NATIONALISTS AND THE
SIDE ON THE LEFT WERE
CALLED REPUBLICANS
 WHO WERE THE REPUBLICANS?

Urban workers, most landless

peasants, much of the
educated middle class, all the
left-wing political groups and
socialist and anarchist trade
unions.
They were particularly strong
in industrial regions such as
Asturias and Cataluña.
 WHO WERE THE NATIONALISTS?

The majority of Catholic

clergy and `racticing
catholics, most of the large
landowners, many
businessmen, monarchists
and fascists.
Many members of the army
were on the side of the
nationalists.
 DEVELOPMENT OF THE WAR
On 19th July, 1936, General Francisco Franco assumed command of the nationalist
forces.
In 1936, October, Franco was named Generalísimo de los ejércitos and head of the
state of the National area.
 DEVELOPMENT OF THE WAR

The main aim of the rebels was to

occupy Madrid. But the defense of
the city was fierce.
Having failed to take the capital,
Franco bombarded it from the air.
 INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT

Germany and Italy

helped the nationalists.
The democatric
countries decided not to
get invlolved (non
intervention)
The soviet Union
supported the left.
 INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT
The British and French governments were anxious to avoid the war spreading to other
countries. They promoted a non-intervention agreement, which in theory prevented any
other country from sending war supplies or soldiers to Spain.

In practice, Hitler and Mussolini ignored the agreement and backed Franco, while the
British and French democracies failed to provide assistance to the Spanish Republic.

Military support for the Republic. At first, Stalin was reluctant to become involved in the
war, but he risked losing international prestige if Hitler and Mussolini were successful. He
therefore provided weapons, military experts and supplies to the Republic, which were
paid for with gold reserves from the Bank of Spain.
 CONSEQUENCES
THE ECONOMY

Many industries survived the war relatively intact In

contrast, there was great damage to transport
infrastructures, like railways and bridges. Large extensions
of farmland were lost, and agricultural production declined.
The loss of both skilled and unskilled workers greatly
affected economic activity.
 CONSEQUENCES
HUMAN LOSS

Atrocities were commited on both sides during the war.

It is not known exactly how many people died in the war, but the human
losses were very high.
Recent studies estimate that around 145,000 people died at the front. In
addition to the fighters who died, 130,000 people were victims of the
repression on both sides during the war. Furthermore, between 35,000 and
50,000 people were executed by the Franco regime in the immediate post-
war period.
 CONSEQUENCES
DISPLACEMENT AND EXILE

As the rebel forces advanced, many people in republican territory left their
homes.
The poet Federico García Lorca was killed in Granada in August 1936. The
philosopher Miguel de Unamuno was an early supporter of the rebellion, but he
died in December 1936, disillusioned by the violent extremism that he saw
around him.
Many leading intellectuals, like Antonio Machado, Pau Casals and Juan Ramón
Jiménez, supported the Republic and were forced into exile.
CONSEQUENCES

The city of Guernica was

bombed and
slaughtered the
inhabitants, women and
children were killed
END OF THE WAR

At the end of
March, 1939, the
Nationalists
entered Madrid.
The war was
finished.