Spanish History: Interwar Period to Civil War

Flashcards of key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture notes.

Turnismo

A political period in Spain from 1879 to 1923, characterized by a constant repeated change between the conservatives and the liberals as the governing party.

El desastre de Annual

A disastrous defeat near Annual in July 1921 where Spain suffered a huge loss with up to 13000 casualties including the general of the army to a 3000 army of badly equipped Berber rebels.

Military Directory (1923-1925)

The first stage of Primo de Rivera's dictatorship in Spain, which began after his coup d'état on September 13-15, 1923, during the reign of King Alfonso XIII.

The Military Directory

An institution made up only of military personnel (eight generals and one rear admiral) who, under the leadership of General Miguel Primo de Rivera, were tasked with advising him on government matters and issuing decrees that had the force of law—this was after the elected Cortes (parliament) of April 1923 was dissolved.

Civil Directory(1925-1930)

Replaced the Military Directory in 1925, marking the second stage of his dictatorship. The government focused on improving local administration and launching major public works projects.

Unión Patriótica

A political party created by Primo de Rivera that was entirely government-backed and had the sole purpose of supporting the dictatorship.

Peseta

The Spanish currency which declined in value despite government efforts by 1929.

Dámaso Berenguer and Admiral Juan Bautista Aznar-Cabañas

Ruled by decree after Primo de Rivera resigned, further eroding political stability.

San Sebastián Pact

Alliance of republicans, former liberal monarchists, and Catalan politicians united to overthrow the monarchy on August 17, 1930.

Niceto Alcalá-Zamora

Head of state of the provisional government, replaced by Manuel Azaña in June 1931.

Manuel Azaña

Acting as President until his resignation in 1933, as the left won the majority in the elections

Bienio Social- Azañista

The period while Azaña was president, marked as the social-azañist 2-year period (bienio social-azañista) or reformist 2-year period (bienio reformista)

Francesc Macià

Proclaimed Catalan Republic to be independent from the rest of Spain in Barcelona, yet after negotiations agreed to be under the authority of Madrid, while remaining some autonomy 14th April 1931.

Agrarian Reform

Southern Spain experienced huge unemployment rates in winter of 1930-1931. Several decrees were issued in order to alleviate the burden on low-income families

Three main reasons social peace did not come about

1) Economical recession, following the Great Depression. 2) The anarchist CNT (Confederación Nacional del Trabajo, esp. “National Labor Confederation”) opposed the reform. 3) The employers opposed, not being willing to accept the decisions of Mixed Juries when such decisions benefited the workers.

Largo Caballero's social reform

Strengthening unions, especially UGT and giving them more power in negotiations of labor contracts and supervision of the work environment.

Biennio Radical-Cedista (1933-1935)

The conservative biennium,biennium of the right wing or black biennium (name given by the left) was the second biennium of the Spanish republic. The Biennium Radical-Cedista took place between 1933 and 1935 and was a period of the Spanish Second Republic marked by a political shift to the right.

October Revolution of 1934

Workers' uprising and strike occurred in response to the entry of CEDA ministers into the government (ultra right-wing), which was interpreted by left-wing sectors as a fascist threat.

Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Right-wing Groups (CEDA)

Headed by José María Gil-Robles and consisted of various catholic and right-wing political parties

October Revolution of 1934

A workers' uprising and strike occurred in response to the entry of CEDA ministers into the government (ultra right-wing), which was interpreted by left- wing sectors as a fascist threat.

Straperlo affair

A major political scandal involving the introduction of an illegal gambling roulette in Spanish casinos

Popular Front

A party mainly founded to have a counter movement to fascism which was gaining popularity in the country.

Manuel Azaña

The elected President after the Popular Front's victory

Spanish Civil War Coup d’État 1936

The uprising was successful in the rural areas, however, urban and industrialized areas faced strong opposition, especially in Madrid and Barcelona.

Condor Legion

German fleet built for bombing which conducted the air attack on Guernica.

Guernica

A painting drawn by Pablo Picasso to demonstrate the horrors of war and exhibited in Paris.

The Battle of Ebro, July 1938

The longest and bloodiest battle of The Spanish Civil War. It is estimated that 100’000 solider lost their lives during this fight.