The Moroccan Quagmire and the Crisis of Spain’s Liberal System, 1917–23

Abstract

Most historians agree that the crisis of Spanish Liberalism in the 1920s should be considered as part of the general collapse of Europe’s parliamentary regimes during the interwar period, especially given the similarities between Spain’s situation and that of other southern and Eastern European countries.¹ Just like other European nations, Spain suffered the economic consequences of the post-war depression and the social repercussions of the Russian Revolution, but was furthermore weakened because parties under the Restoration Settlement (1874–923) were unable to open up the parliamentary monarchy to new economic and social forces. The increasing strength of organized labour came into conflict with the regime’s inertia and reluctance to assimilate or channel the new social demands which resulted from the industrialization process, and this led to greater social instability and a gradual weakening of civilian rule over the course of the first few decades of the 20th century. Just as in other European countries, the Spanish army intervened to face down the threat of revolution.