Restoration (Spain)
The Restoration (Spanish: Restauración), or Bourbon Restoration (Spanish: Restauración borbónica), is the name given to the period that began on 29 December 1874—after a coup d'état by General Arsenio Martínez Campos ended the First Spanish Republic and restored the monarchy under Alfonso XII—and ended on 14 April 1931 with the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic.
Kingdom of Spain | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1874–1931 | |||||||||
| Motto: Plus Ultra "Further Beyond" | |||||||||
| Anthem: Marcha Real "Royal March" | |||||||||
The Kingdom of Spain and its colonies in 1898 | |||||||||
| Capital | Madrid | ||||||||
| Common languages | Spanish | ||||||||
| Religion | Roman Catholicism (state religion) | ||||||||
| Demonym(s) | Spanish, Spaniard | ||||||||
| Government | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
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| King | |||||||||
• 1874–1885 | Alfonso XII | ||||||||
• 1886–1931 | Alfonso XIII | ||||||||
| Regent | |||||||||
• 1885–1902 | Maria Christina | ||||||||
| Prime Minister | |||||||||
• 1874–1875 (first) | Antonio Cánovas | ||||||||
• 1931 (last) | Juan B. Aznar | ||||||||
| Legislature | Cortes Generales | ||||||||
| Senate | |||||||||
| Congress of Deputies | |||||||||
| History | |||||||||
| 29 December 1874 | |||||||||
| 30 June 1876 | |||||||||
| 25 Apr.–12 Aug. 1898 | |||||||||
| 1909–1910 | |||||||||
| 17 August 1930 | |||||||||
| 14 April 1931 | |||||||||
| Currency | Spanish peseta | ||||||||
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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 turnismo, which involved the systematic rotation of liberal and conservative parties in government, often achieved through electoral fraud. Critics of the system included republicans, socialists, anarchists, Basque and Catalan nationalists, and Carlists.
The Restoration period in Spain (1874-1931) was characterized by political instability, economic challenges, and social unrest. Key issues that defined this period in Spanish history include:
- Political conservatism: The Restoration was marked by a resurgence of conservative politics and the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy. King Alfonso XII successfully restored stability after years of political upheaval and turmoil. However, this stability was often maintained through repression and the silencing of genuine opposition.
- Economic struggles: During the Restoration, Spain faced economic difficulties such as high unemployment and inflation. The country also suffered from significant social inequality, with a small but wealthy elite controlling most of Spain's resources.
- Social unrest: The period witnessed social upheaval and the growth of socialist and anarchist movements. These groups sought to address the social and economic inequalities within Spanish society and often clashed with the conservative government.
- Regional tensions: Spain has a long history of regional tensions, which intensified during the Restoration. Various movements for greater autonomy emerged in regions such as Catalonia and the Basque Country.
- The Spanish-American War: In 1898, Spain lost nearly all of its remaining colonies in the Spanish-American War, including Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. This defeat was a major blow to Spanish national pride and had a significant impact on the country's economy and politics.
- Cultural revival: Despite the political and economic challenges of the Restoration, Spain experienced a cultural revival during this period. Spanish art, literature, and music experienced renewed interest, and many important cultural figures emerged.