Timeline-20th Century in Spain

20th Century in Spain

1902-1923

+info

ALFONSO XIII He starts his reign in 1902. Liberals and conservationists alternate in government. Political situation is not very stable.

Primo de Rivera (and Berenguer and Aznar) dictatorship

1923-1931

+info

PRIMO DE RIVERA In 1923, Miguel Primo de Rivera gave a coup and declares Spain a militar state. Alfonso XIII gives him the powers to govern the country. There is a big opposition from: republicans, communism, anarchist, nationalist... In 1930 he resigns. General Berenguer and Admiral Aznar organize local elections and the left parties win. The elections are on April 12th, 1931 and the republic is declared on April 14th. Alfonso XIII exiles himself.

Second republic

1931-1936

+info

SECOND REPUBLIC The new government began major reforms: -Social and economic property of land changed from large owners to peasants, working conditions improve, children had the right to aa primary education. -Political: offices not loyal to the republic had to leave the army, Catholic church lost influence; Catalonia, Galicia and Basque Country had their own statues. These reforms caused political tension and there were strikes, discontent in the army accusation of corruption , assassinations of some leaders...In 1934 there was an important revolution starting in Asturias mines

Civil War

1936-1939

+info

Civil War On July 18, 1936, Franco led a coup against the government of the republic. A Civil War started with two bands: -Nationalist, supported by the right-wings political parties, the church, Hitler and Mussolini. -Republicans, supported by the left-wing political parties and International Brigades, and Rusia. The USA and the rest of Europe didn't intervene. Nationalist won the war (Ebro battle, 1838 was decisive). In 1939 Francisco Franco imposed a militar dictatorship. "España: Una, grande y libre".

Franco dictatorship

1939-1975

+info

FRANCO DICTATORSHIP Franco imposed a military dictatorship. He had all three powers. The post-war years were very difficult: lots of republicans, communists, left-wing militants were arrested, imprisoned and killed; others exiled, specially into America. It was a time of famine and political repression. In the 50s, lots of people migrated to other European countries, searching for better jobs. People moved from villages to cities too. Censorship had to approve films, books, etc., for morality. (“España es la reserva moral y espiritual de Europa”) In the 60s, the economy improved. Tourists started to come and brought their customs. Spanish people wanted freedom. In the 70s, the regime hardened and repression came back. In 1975, Franco died. He had named Prince Juan Carlos as future chief of state.

The path to democracy

Alfonso XIII

20th Century in Spain

Transition(to democracy)

1975-1978

Transition After Franco’s death, monarchy was restored and Juan Carlos was crowned under the name of Juan Carlos I. He kept Carlos Arias Navarro (ministro de la gobernación with Franco) in charge of the government. Arias Navarro (continuist) counted with Manuel Fraga Iribarne and José María de Areilza (both of them reformists). Society was divided into two groups: franquistas and democrats. Strikes, demonstrations, repression made these very difficult years, with terrible events (Vitoria 1976, Montejurra 1976). The king convinced Arias Navarro to resign and the reformists managed to have a young politician, Adolfo Suárez, to be named after Arias Navarro. Suárez and his collaborators made the “Ley de Reforma” which was approved by a national referendum in 1976. In the following years, communist parties were legalised again, and in 1977 there were general elections. UCD won (Suárez’ party) followed by PSOE, led by Felipe González. Other important parties were PCE (Partido Comunista Español) led by Santiago Carrillo, and AP (Alianza Popular), led by Fraga Iribarne. AP would change into PP.

+info

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit.

1978 Constitution

+info

1978 constitution First task of the courts elected in 1977 was to make a democratic constitution. This constitution was published on November 6, 1978 and one month after that, approved by referendum (December 6, 1978), by a large majority. The constitution:

• Spain is a parliamentary monarchy
• The State is non-confessional
• Death penalty is abolished
• Fundamental rights and civil and political freedom (right to go on strike, to syndicate…) are recognised.
• Right to autonomy of the regions: title VIII of the constitution allows the creation of a state of Autonomies.
• Spanish and languages of Autonomous Communities are official languages.

the path to democracy