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Long Term Causes of the Spanish Civil War, The divisions of poor and rich…
Long Term Causes of the Spanish Civil War
Political Issues
Spain was a constitutional monarchy since 1871 therefore the King was the head of state.
This leads to the appointment of a Prime minister which wasn't supported by Parliament.
Political power was controlled by the wealthy oligarchs as well as small proporations of the male population.
2 main political parties with limited differences thus, leading to separations in state however there wasn't much difference between ideology. (Conservatives and Liberals) Elections corrupt and rigged. No Mass democratic political parties.
Needed reform, however, they were too big in size and army officers were conservatives.
Army was powerful because of its role in prior imperial Spain. Therefore, allowing them to intervene in politics. The army was unpopular due to heavy taxation.
Socio-political tensions
The catholitc chrurch was extremly powerful in Spain which caused many politcal and social probelms between chruch and state.
The state controlled education through the church as well as certain parts of the economy. Through this wealth and position they were able to gain tons of influence. To the extent where they can promote social, political, and economic conservatism. (opposed liberal)
Aristocrats and higher classes had close relationships causing a unbalanced system and influence.
Middle class known as anti clerical promoted liberalism and wanted to weaken the churches power. More towards education
Regionalism
Regionalism causes the political tension .
Political tension resulted which lead to deaths of protesters to keep them quiet as well as strikes against the country.
Centralisit state opposed demands for a autoomous Catalonia and Basque regions.
They wanted decentralization and independence because they had a different language and culture which they sought to be free.
This couldn't happen because Spain was highly dependent on theses areas for economy such as industrialized areas.
The differences in culture and identity increased nationalism therefore causing the civil war to occur because of the long cultural differences.
Economic
Spain was highly dependable and reliant on their agricultural economy and labor in this category was essential to them. However, this work was extremely inefficient due to seasonal work.
Causing people to move an migrate to different regions and being in poverty.
South Spain was where the rich lived including the Latifunda which was owned by the Grandees. In which they had plenty controlled in the political system.
North Spain mainly poor peasants with small plots of land. Bad living standards.
Modernization was needed ,however, the attempt before failed due to no strong system of reform and investment.
Urban areas had poor, low wages, long hours, and bad living conditions as well as no welfare. Trade unionism grew however failed in doing anything because they were divided by the political spectrum. Anarchist v Socialist
Working class seen as violent thus causing the government not to solve situation.
Spain's neutrality in WW1 benefited because exports increased in 1914-1918. However, with this economic boom came shortages and inflation that led to the working class becoming worse off.
Caused more problems in 1920 because they couldnt benefit off of WW1.
Political Divisions
Liberal movement in Spain which was supported by educated middle class. It was a potlical force in the 20th century, PSOE developed in Urban areas but had little impact.
Trade Union was important and useful UGT
Moderate Socialist led by Indalecio Prieto, radical group by Largo Cabellero, Communist group formed after Bolshevik revolution in 1917.
Socialists and anarchist were important and major political groups. AS well as popular.
Anarchisist popular in countryside because of redistruibion for land and trade unions. The trade unions for the anarchisits organized more poltical portests and riots.
FAI carried out assassinations and bombings and they anarchists would not engage in any democratic process and called for a revolution.
The divisions of poor and rich caused many riots and in differences.