THE CIVIL WAR (1936–1939)
THE REIGN OF ALFONSO XIII AND
THE SECOND REPUBLIC
FRANCO’S DICTATORSHIP
SPAIN IN THE 20TH AND 21ST CENTURIES
DEMOCRACY AND CONSTITUTIONAL SPAIN
ART AND CULTURE IN THE 20TH AND 21ST CENTURIES
THE CONSTITUTION OF 1978
THE REIGN OF ALFONSO XIII AND THE SECOND REPUBLIC
Alfonso XIII’s reign and Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship
Second Republic (1931–1939)
A new Constitution was approved in 1931 and the Republican government was formed. The president of the Republic was Niceto Alcalá Zamora. The president of the government was Manuel Azaña. The Constitution established more civil rights than any previous constitution. It was socially and politically advanced. Some examples are:
Alfonso XIII’s reign (1902–1931) started as a constitutional monarchy following the system of political alternation. For many citizens, particularly Republicans and workers, this was a fraud. The economic situation of Spain was not good either and there was very little industrial development.
Spanish Constitution
In 1920, ...
Alfonso XIII with Primo de Rivera
THE CIVIL WAR (1936–1939)
From the Civil War to the dictatorship
A group of army generals, led by general Francisco Franco, started a rebellion against the Republic in 1936. The military coup (coup d’état) was supported by the people who disagreed with the Republic. Its success marked the start of the Spanish Civil War. Spanish citizens were divided into the rebels, called the Nationalists, and the Republicans.
The Nationalists were supported by ...
During the War, ....
After the War ....
FRANCO’S DICTATORSHIP
The dictatorship (1939–1975)
After winning the war, Franco started a dictatorship and named himself ‘Generalísimo’. There were political and social changes. The Constitution of 1931 was abolished, so freedom of speech and the right to vote disappeared. There were no political parties or elections. Franco held all the power.
Franco’s dictatorship can be divided in two stages:
Self-government phase (until the 1950s)
Development phase (1960s and 1970s)
DEMOCRACY AND CONSTITUTIONAL SPAIN
The dictatorship (1939–1975)
After Franco died in 1975, the transition to democracy began. The new system of government was a constitutional monarchy. The Bourbon dynasty was reinstalled on the throne and Juan Carlos I became King. He named Adolfo Suárez president. Suárez started a complicated period of political negotiations and agreements. Some of the important reforms he made were:
The first elections after the dictatorship took place in 1977. Men and women over 18 were allowed to vote for their representatives. The UCD, Adolfo Suarez’s party, won the elections and he became the first democratic president of the government.
The elections of 1977
Adolfo Suárez and Juan Carlos I
THE CONSTITUTION OF 1978
A new constitution
One year after the elections, the new government and the representatives of the citizens wrote a new constitution. To make the process totally democratic, they had a referendum and asked people if they agreed with the new constitution. It was accepted and the Constitution of 1978 has been our constitution ever since.
In 1981, ...
The Constitution defines Spain as a democratic state and its laws guarantee freedom, justice and equality for all its citizens. Amongst other things, it establishes:
The Constitutional Court
ART AND CULTURE IN THE 20TH AND 21ST CENTURIES
Cinema
Art and architecture
Modern art is abstract because of the development of photography and cinema, which represent reality more accurately. Artists express themselves through innovation and use new materials like cement or plastic. In architecture, buildings were useful and functional.
The beginning of the film industry in Spain was influenced by Surrealism. The work of Luis Buñuel, a 20th century film director, is the best example. One of his most famous works is Un perro andaluz, from 1929.
Painting
Pedro Almodóvar at work
Music
Spanish music has changed greatly during the 20th and 21st centuries. Great composers like Isaac Albéniz, Manel de Falla and Enrique Granados wrote classical masterpieces. Flamenco was very popular, with artists like Camarón de la Isla.
Sculpture
Architecture
Camarón de la Isla and Tomatito, two great flamenco artists