The Restoration: 1875-1923

During Alfonso XII’s reign, there was less violence than in previous
years.1875–1885: King Alfonso XII
Alfonso XII ruled as a constitutional monarch (not an absolute one)
under the Constitution of 1876. Although he was a young and
inexperienced king, he was very popular.
Under his reign, there was a new political system: the turno pacífico.
• Only two political parties were permitted:
1. the Liberals
2. the Conservatives.
These parties took turns in holding power.
In this new system of alternating power, there were two key political
figures:
• Antonio Cánovas del Castillo, who was Prime Minister six times and
leader of the Conservatives.
• Práxedes Mateo Sagasta, who was Prime Minister eight times and
leader of the Liberals.
Pros

• After a century of instability, Spain was stable again.

• It was a period of economic prosperity and modernisation.
• There was peace and prosperity in Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Cons

• Electoral fraud: the King chose the government and the result of
the election was decided in advance.
• Basque and Catalan nationalism grew in protest against the unfair system.
 From Alfonso XIII to the Second Republic

Alfonso XII’s early death left his son, Alfonso, as heir to the throne. His
mother, María Cristina, ruled as regent until the young Alfonso turned
sixteen in 1902.

During the regency period, Spain lost its remaining colonies, Cuba,
Puerto Rico and the Philippines, and suffered heavy defeats in
Morocco and violent rioting in Barcelona.

General Primo de Rivera organised a coup d`etat.

Alfonso XIII supported him and Rivera suspended the Constitution and
became a dictator from 1923-1930.
However, he was not a good leader and Spain went bankrupt under his
rule. Eventually, even the army stopped supporting him and Alfonso
XIII forced him to resign.
In April 1931, the Republicans won the elections, the monarchy was
abolished and the Second Republic was declared. It lasted until the
end of the Civil War in 1939.
CONSTITUCION OF 1931
• Established freedom of speech
• gave the vote to women
• made divorce legal
• took away the special legal status enjoyed by Spanish nobility
• limited the powers of the Church. Separated powers:church/state
• Autonomy status: Euskadi and Cataluña
 OPPOSITION TO THE REPUBLIC
• The church: Its powers had been limited by the new constitution.
• The military and the Nationalists: They saw the government as
weak.
• Workers’ groups: They considered the Second Republic to be
oppressive.
• Monarchists and Fascists: Their status as nobles had been reduced.

SECOND REPUBLIC CONCEPT MAP

1931, CONSTITUTION

MANY REFORMS

POPULATION ARE NOT AGREE WITH THESE REFORMS