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The 20th century was a period of great change in Spain. First, the monarchy was replaced by the
dictatorship of Primo de Rivera. Next came the Second Republic. From 1936 to 1939 there was a violent
civil war. This produced another dictator, Francisco Franco, who ruled the country until 1975. The monarchy
was then restored under King Juan Carlos I. There was a series of reforms which led to Spain’s peaceful
transition to democracy. As a member of the European Union, Spain experienced two decades of economic
prosperity. However, terrorism, corruption and high unemployment have created many difficulties. More
recently the global economic crisis has added to the country’s problems. However, Spain is still a culturally
and artistically vibrant society with a reputation for diversity and tolerance. It’s the 13th largest economy in
the world and a major tourist destination.
The star of the 20th century was the continuation of the Restoration, which began when Alfonso XII became
king in 1874. The Restoration ended in 1923, when Primo de Rivera became dictator. In 1931 the Second
Republic was established.
After Alfonso XII died in 1885, Spain was ruled by his wife María Cristina until Alfonso XIII turned 16 in 1902.
During Alfonso XIII’s reign Spain experienced political and social conflict.
- The Liberals and Conservatives continued to take turns in government. However, other parties opposed
them: republican parties, nationalist parties in Cataluña and País Vasco, and the Socialist party.
Because of these problems, there was a military coup in 1923. With Alfonso XIII’s support, General Miguel
Primo de Rivera established a dictatorship.
- The constitution was suspended and the king lost most of his powers.
At first, many people supported Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship. Later on there was opposition from the army
and from Alfonso XII. Primo de Rivera resigned in 1930.
The Second Republic began in 1931 when the Republicans and Socialists won the municipal elections. The
monarchy was abolished. Manuel Azaña became president. There was a new constitution and Spain
became a democracy: all men and women could vote. The republic introduced many other changes too.
- There was more regional autonomy. There was a statute of autonomy for Cataluña.
- The government took land from big landowners. They planned to give it to poor farmers.
These reforms divided Spanish society and caused political conflict. Left-wing people generally supported
the changes. However, right-wing people opposed these changes.
In July 1936 a military rebellion began in Spanish Morocco. Its leader was General Francisco Franco. The
rebels took control of parts of Spain. The country became divided between areas controlled by the
Nationalists, the rebels led by Franco, and areas controlled by the Second Republic.The Spanish Civil War
started because of the military rebellion led by Franco. Franco and the Nationalists were opposed to the
changes that the Second Republic has introduced. They wanted to replace the republic with a right-wing
dictatorship. The Republicans supported the Second Republic.
The Nationalist were supported by the Germany and Italy. These countries were right-wing dictatorship.
The Republicans were supported by the Soviet Union (Russia). The Soviet Union was a left-wing
dictatorship.
For three years there was fighting between the Nationalists and Republicans, until the Nationalists took
control of Madrid. The war ended in April 1939. As a result of the Nationalist victory, the Second Republic
ended. Franco established a right-wing dictatorship.
- People were imprisoned or killed because of their opinions (Nationalists who lived in the Republican
zones, and Republicans who lived in the Nationalist zones).
After the Nationalists won the Spanish Civil War, Franco established his dictatorship. He made himself the
head of state and of the government, and Caudillo (leader) of Spain. He took complete control of the
country’s politics, economy, religion and laws.
- Trade unions also became illegal and workers lost their rights.
- There was no regional autonomy, Power was concentrated in the central government.
Many people who opposed Franco left Spain. They went to live in the United Kingdom, France and other
countries. Republicans who stayed in Spain were often imprisoned or killed.
In the 1940’s and 1950’s: living conditions were very hard. There wasn’t much food and most people were
very poor. Spain didn’t participate in the Second World War but Franco supported Germany. After the war
the United Nations was stablished. Spain wasn’t allowed to be a member until later on because it was a
dictatorship.
In the 1960’s: there were economic reforms and the economy started to improve. Living conditions
improved too. Tourism started to become important. Franco named Juan Carlos de Borbón as his sucessor.
The monarchy would be restored when Franco died.
In the 1970’s: Franco was old and ill. His supporters were divided: some wanted to continue as before and
others wanted reform. Admiral Carrero Blanco was prime minister. He wanted to continue the dictatorship
without any reforms. However, he was killed by the Basque terrorist group ETA in 1973. In 1975, Franco
died. Juan Carlos became Kings of Spain.
Today, Spain is a democracy. Every four years there are elections to choose the government. People over
18 years old can vote for the political party that represents their opinions. The right to vote and other rights
are guaranteed by the constitution.
After Juan Carlos became king in 1975, the transition to democracy began. It ended in 1978 with a new
constitution. Important reforms were introduced by the prime minister, Adolfo Suárez.
- All political parties were - There was a democratic - A new constitution was
made legal.
election in 1977.
written.
In 1978 people voted in favor of the constitution in a referendum, so it was adopted.
- Citizens have rights and responsibilities. Everyone must obey the law.
- Spain is a parliamentary monarchy. The monarch is head of state but doesn’t govern or make laws.
- Government is separated into three branches: the legislative, executive and judicial branches.
Since the transition to democracy, two parties have governed Spain at different times: the Socialist party
(PSOE) and the Popular party (PP). Some of the most important events that have happened during this time
are:
- In 1981 there was an attempted military coup against the government led by Tejero. It failed. Spain
continued to be a democracy.
- In 1986 Spain became a member of the EEC (now called the EU). In 2002 the euro replaced the peseta
as Spain’s currency.
Spain has influenced the most important artistic movements of the 20th and 21st centuries. The country
has also produced some of the most famous artists of this period. There have also been important
developments in literature.
Cubism and Surrealism were artistic movements that developed in the first half of the 20th century. Spanish
artist were important in both movements.
Cubism used geometric shapes to represent people and things. Pablo Picasso was one of the inventors of
Cubism. He was also one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. His painting Guernica represents
the bombing of a Basque town during the Spanish Civil War.
Surrealims represented imaginary scenes and fantasies. Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró were important
Surrealist artists. They created imaginative paintings and sculptures in this style, such as Dali’s The
persistence of memory and Miro’s Harlequin’s carnival.
Abstract art developed in the second half of the 20th century. It represented ideas rather than reality.
Eduardo Chillida was an important abstract sculptor. He produced massive, abstract sculptures made of
steel and concrete. Many of his works are in public places, such as Eulogy to the Horizon in Asturias.
The Generation of ’27 was a group of poets that formed in the 1920s to experiment with new styles of
poetry and artistic expression. The group included Miguel Hernández and Federico García Lorca. The Civil
War split the group: García Lorca was killed by the Nationalists and Miguel Hernández died in prison.