Spain (1918-1939): political, social and economic conditions in Spain; the Primo de Rivera regime; polarization and political parties under the Second

1. Political Instability Weak monarchy under King Alfonso XIII→Spain remained a constitutional monarchy but struggled with parliamentary instability.

Political fragmentation- Multiple factions:

● Conservatives (monarchists, military, Church).

● Liberals (Republicans, socialists, anarchists, communists).

Rising regionalism- Catalonia & Basque Country demanded autonomy.

Impact: Spain was deeply divided, setting the stage for future conflict.

Historian's View:

● Paul Preston→"Spain's lack of political cohesion made civil war almost inevitable."

2. Social Unrest

Large wealth gap- Latifundia systemkept land in the hands of a few elites, while peasants lived in poverty.

Urban workers radicalized→Growth of anarchism (CNT-FAI) and socialism (UGT).

Church vs. Secularism→The Catholic Church had major influence, but leftist groups wanted secular reforms.

Impact: Spain was polarized between conservatives & leftists, increasing tensions.

Historian's View:

● Raymond Carr→"Spain was trapped between an outdated feudal system and the forces of modernization."

3. Economic Conditions Spanish economy weakened by WWI→Though neutral, Spain's economy was unprepared for post-war instability. 1929 Great Depression worsened economic struggles→Led to high unemployment & strikes. Impact:Economic hardship radicalized both workers (toward socialism/anarchism) and elites (toward fascism/authoritarianism). Historian's View: ● Stanley Payne→"Economic instability made compromise impossible, pushing Spain toward violent solutions." Primo De Rivera Regime (1923-1930): Miguel Primo de Riveratook power in a military coup (1923) and ruled as a dictator with King Alfonso XIII's approval. 1. Policies & Reforms Infrastructure improvements(roads, railways, public works). Temporary economic boomdue to government spending. Suppressed left-wing opposition. 2. Downfall & Resignation (1930) Failed to resolve Spain's deep divisions. Economic decline after the 1929 Great Depression. Lost support from the army & king→Forced to resign in January 1930. Impact: Ended the monarchy's credibility, leading to the establishment of the Second Republic (1931). Left political divisions unresolved, deepening polarization. Historian's View: ● Gabriel Jackson→"Primo de Rivera's dictatorship was a temporary pause in Spain's crisis, not a solution."

The Second Republic (1931-1936) Political polarization: After Primo de Rivera resigned, elections in April 1931led to the establishment of the Second Republic, with King Alfonso XIII going into exile. 1. Left-Wing Reforms (1931-1933, Manuel Azaña's Government) New liberal Constitution (1931)→Secular state, land reform, workers' rights. Church power reduced→Removed from education, land confiscations. Army reforms→Weakened military influence in politics. Impact: Conservatives (monarchists, Church, military) saw reforms as an attack. Right-wing opposition grew, leading to conservative victories in 1933 elections. Historian's View: ● Helen Graham→"The Republic's reforms alienated the right while failing to satisfy the left." 2. Right-Wing Reaction (1933-1936, Gil-Robles & CEDA) CEDA (Confederación Española de Derechas Autónomas), led by José María Gil-Robles, reversed leftist reforms. Church regained some influence. Workers' movements crushed→Asturian Miners' Revolt (1934) brutally suppressed. Impact: Left-wing radicalization- Socialists, communists, and anarchists began arming themselves. Extreme polarization→Led to violence & assassinations. Historian's View: ● Antony Beevor→"The Republic was doomed because neither the left nor right accepted democracy."

Causes of Spanish Civil War (1936-1939): 1. Short-Term Causes ● February 1936:Leftist coalition Popular Frontwon elections. ● July 1936:Military coup led by Francisco Franco→Civil War began. 2. Long-Term Causes Deep social & economic divisions. Political polarization between left & right. Weakness of democratic institutions. Historian's View: ● Raymond Carr→"The Civil War was inevitable due to Spain's inability to reach political compromise." Foreign Involvement: CountrySupport forKey Contributions Germany (Hitler)Nationalists (Franco)Luftwaffe (Condor Legion), weapons, economic aid Italy (Mussolini)Nationalists75,000 troops, air & naval support USSR (Stalin)RepublicansTanks, aircraft, military advisors International BrigadesRepublicans35,000 foreign volunteers (USA, Britain, France) Impact: Nationalists had superior military support from Germany & Italy. Republicans suffered from internal divisions & inconsistent Soviet aid. Historian's View: ● Hugh Thomas→"Foreign intervention turned Spain into a battlefield for European ideologies."

Reasons for Nationalist Victory: Superior military leadership- Franco unified Nationalist forces. Better foreign support- Germany & Italy provided modern weapons & troops. Republican disunity- Internal conflicts between communists, anarchists, and socialistsweakened the war effort. Effective use of terror- Nationalists executed leftists & suppressed opposition. Final Outcome: ● March 28, 1939→Franco's forces entered Madrid. ● April 1, 1939→The war officially ended. ● Franco established a dictatorship that lasted until his death (1975). Historian's View: ● Stanley Payne→"Franco's victory was due to a combination of Nationalist unity and Republican fragmentation." ●