Modernizing the nation : Spain during the reign of Alfonso XIII, 1902-1931 / Javier Moreno-Luzon.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Moreno Luzón, Javier, author.

Series:

Liverpool Studies in Spanish History Series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Spain--History--Alfonso XIII, 1886-1931--Historiography.

Spain.

Spain--Politics and government--1886-1931.

Alfonso XIII, King of Spain, 1886-1941.

Alfonso.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (210 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Eastbourne, England : Sussex Academic Press, [2016]

Summary:

This book is a new short history of Spain during a crucial period, the reign of Alfonso XIII (1902-1931). Traditionally, this has been seen as a time that epitomised the worst features of 'old Spain': a backward country, poor and chronically unequal, with a government dominated by a tiny oligarchy ruling over a corrupt system -- an anomaly in Western Europe. However, this study, in line with the most recent historiography, offers a new insight into the period as one that was actually characterised by extensive modernisation in Spanish society and politics. Spain experienced, albeit in an unbalanced way, many of the changes already in progress in other European countries, such as urbanisation, industrialisation, mass migration, the rise in literacy, secularisation, and the emergence of mass politics. It then suffered profound conflicts associated with these changes, and a political dynamic of reform and reaction, revolution and counter-revolution. The book is divided into four main sections, dealing, chronologically, with the beginnings of the regenerationist era, the climax of the liberal monarchy, conflicts during the crisis of liberalism, and the military dictatorship of Primo de Rivera. Primarily a political history, it also touches on social, cultural and economic issues, and offers a comparative European perspective. Last but not least, there is a special interest in the problems of nation-building, a central theme of the period, and the competition between different versions of Spanish nationalism and regional nationalist movements -- above all, Catalanism and Basque nationalism. Overall, the Spanish situation is presented here not as a unique case but as a variation within the difficulties that were encountered all across continental Europe in achieving the transition from classical liberalism to mass democracy.

Contents:

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Contents

Preface by Series Editor,

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1 Regenerating the Fatherland

The Taking of the Oath

Taking the Battle to Clericalism

An Era 'Saturated with Pedagogy'

Protest and Reform

Nations in Contention

2 Apogee of the Liberal Monarchy

Barcelona Burns

Revolution from Above

A National Monarchy

Conjunción and Confederation

Social Transitions

Cracks in the Turno

3 War on Liberalism

Neutralities

Almost a Rich Country

Summer 1917

The Prospect of Bolshevism

The Reign of Christ in Spain

Soldiers against Civilians

4 Dictatorship and Final Act

The Coup

Uprooting Caciquismo

The 'Happy Twenties'

Fatherland, Religion and Monarchy

An Impossible Regime

'To serve no longer lords who turn into worms'

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Format:

Print version: Moreno-Luzon, Javier Modernizing the Nation

ISBN:

1-83764-135-8