Great periods of political instability affected Spain throughout the 19th century

This can be seen through the periods of absolute monarchy, military and foreign political intervention

In 1898 Spain was a constitutional monarchy and power was generally held within the parliament (the cortes)

The King was head of state and he appointed the prime minister who should've commanded most of the cortes

However, the Cortes was elected by only the male population

Most of the power lay with the oligarchs

There was ongoing political tension between the Catalan and basque. regions over their want for decentralisation and independence

Each region had their own language and church, and by the 20th century had their own economies

Most of Spain's industry was focused in Catalonia, with iron and coal, and the Basque region focused on textiles and shipmaking.

It's aims were promoted by the Lliga party; a prominent Nationalist party.

Protests and strikes founded by workers were put down brutally, and in 1909 troops were sent to Barcelona to put down strikes, in the so called "Tragic week" where 200 were killed.

Between 1918 and 1921 over 1,000 were killed.

A more radical Catalan party, Esquerra, were formed.

There were 2 main parties known as the Conservatives and Liberals

However there was no real difference between the 2 parties

The reason being was that the government was compromised of coalitions and elections were either rigged or corrupt

The Caquismo system meant that the local elite (Caciques) controlled the elections

After 1900, in larger towns Socialists and Republican organisations began to form

Most Spaniards were under the belief that their interests were not upheld by the main political parties

King Afonso XIII from 1866, had apparently been said to have a modern outlook but had no real aims of reform or goals to change the institution

He was not a modernizer either

However he did concede to limited self governing to Catalonia in 1913 but this did not appease them

The growth of the industry led to working class movements

These movements were often divided between Anarchists and Socialists

The army had a powerful position in Spain due to their imperial past

It had a right to intervene in politics if needed; and did so in 1820, 1871, 1874 and 1923.

Did not intervene during the King's exile in 1931.

Their intervention in 1936 was what led to civil war; and it was unpopular with the people because of their brutality and expenses.

However, the upper and middle classes supported them.

Generally conservative, but the "Africanistas" leaned nationalist.

Lost the Spanish empire and a war with America in 1898.

Spain lost colonies and struggled to control Morocco.

The Spanish had acquired part of Morocco under the French, but their credibility sunk when Rif leader Abd El Krim defeated the Spanish and killed 10,000 of their army.

The downfall of the monarchy was nigh, and a Pronunciamento was proposed.

The Partido Socialista Obrero Español (PSOE; Spanish Socialist Party) was established in 1897

They had grown significantly in urban areas in the late 19th century

In the 1920s they were led by Largo Caballero and Indalecio Prieto

In theory, revolution worked through parliamentary methods and had minimal impacts up till 1931

Socialist Trade Union (UGT) was more visible in organising strikes and protests in urban areas and grew during WW1

Following the Bolshevik Revolution the Socialist Party was split over whether or not to support the Bolsheviks which led to a small communist party emerging

Parties became divided over what reforms should take place

Indalecio Prieto then led the more moderate socialists

The radicals were led by Largo Caballero

Spanish industry was mostly based on agriculture, but did not have adequate weather or seasons to support it.

Need for workers to migrate between the east and west.

the gap between the rich and the poor was vast and spain was wracked with classism.

Rioting and disorder often broke out.

Major political force in Spain due to their demand of redistribution of land which was popular among peasants

Anarchists argued for revolutionary methods and boycotted all democratic processes

Aim was to destroy the state through revolution or general strikes and to set up self-governing communities

Anarchist Trade Union (CNT) which was set up in 1911, was the main competition of the Socialist UGT

Popular with workers in Catalonia, peasants in Andalusia, and was active in organizing strikes and protests

More extreme anarchist faction called the Federación Anarquista Ibérica (FAI; Spanish Anarchist Federation) which was involved in assassinations and bombings

Apart from in the North, there was much need of industrialisation.

But this expansion was limited by poverty and working and living conditions, including wages, were horrible.

Trade unions were established but accomplished nothing and just fought.

Violent uprising seemed to be the only means of change.

Spain's neutrality during WW1 boomed their economy, but later fell in exports and high unemployment rates.

The Catholic Church was rich and powerful in Spain but there were disputes between the Church and State in the 19th century

The 1851 Concordat made Catholicism the state religion

State-guaranteed role of the Church in education and in elements of the economy

The Church used wealth to gain considerable political power and social influence

It used the power and influence it gained to oppose modernization of Spain and Liberal forces

Church was inclined to defend the rights and status of the upper class due to aristocratic ties

This led to resentment for the church among the poor

Increasing amount of protests against the church in urban areas (e.g. burning of churches/convents)

Some of the educated middle-class were anti-clerical and sought to limit the church's power especially on education

without a strong industrial base, emigration was the key to alleviating population growth

Spaniards would move to Spain's former colonies in South America or to France

Spain's population grew from 18 million (1900) to 24 million (1930)

After WW1 which led to restrictions in immigration this led to more of the rural poor migrating to towns

This led to housing shortages, poverty and increased tension