Spain under the Restoration
Spain, 1874–1931. Draft, not yet reviewed
The Restoration was the period in Spanish history between the First Spanish Republic and the Second Spanish Republic from 1874 to 1931. After nearly a century of political instability and several civil wars, the Restoration attempted to establish a new political system that ensured stability through the practice of turno, an intentional rotation of liberal and conservative parties in leadership, often achieved through electoral fraud. In 1898, Spain lost nearly all its remaining colonies in the Spanish-American War, including Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. It ended on 14 April 1931 with the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic.
Seat of power: Madrid
Rulers
Alfonso XII of Spain
Monarch of Spain, 1874–1885
He returned to Spain as king in 1874 following a military coup against the First Spanish Republic. The new King Alfonso XII successfully restored stability after years of political upheaval and turmoil. However, this stability was often maintained through political repression and the silencing of genuine opposition.
Portrait of Alfonso XII of Spain: Fernando Debás, Public domain, file
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Alfonso XIII
Monarch of Spain, 1886–1931
He became a monarch at birth as his father, Alfonso XII, had died the previous year. His mother, Maria Christina of Austria, served as regent until he assumed full powers on his sixteenth birthday in 1902. Over the course of his reign, the monarch ended up favouring an authoritarian solution rather than constitutional liberalism. He left Spain voluntarily after the municipal elections of April 1931, the result of which led to the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic on 14 April 1931.
Portrait of Alfonso XIII: Kaulak, Public domain, file
Culture
- The Constitution of 1876 was soon established, and it remained in force throughout the Restoration.
- This constitution established Spain as a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral legislature (Cortes Generales) consisting of an upper house (Senate) and a lower house (Congress of Deputies).
- Despite political and economic challenges, Spain experienced a cultural revival during this period. Spanish art, literature, and music experienced renewed interest, and many important cultural figures emerged.
- The period witnessed waves of social upheaval and the growth of republican, socialist, communist, and anarchist movements.
Picture
The Plaza de España in Seville was built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929.
Image: Carlos Delgado, CC BY-SA 4.0, file
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Sources
Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.