Miguel
Primo de Rivera
was
born into a wealthy family in Jerez, Spain,
in 1870. He joined the army and took part in the colonial wars in
Morocco, Cuba and the Philippines.
After the
First World War Primo de Rivera held several
important military posts including the captain-generalship of Valencia,
Madrid and Barcelona. On the death of his uncle in 1921 he became
Marques de Estella.
With the
support of Alfonso XIII and the army Primo
de Rivera led a military coup in September 1923. He promised to eliminate
corruption and to regenerate Spain. In order to do this he suspended
the constitution, established martial law and imposed a strict system
of censorship.
Primo de
Rivera initially said he would rule for only 90 days, however, he
broke this promise and remained in power. Little social reform took
place but he tried to reduce unemployment by spending money on public
works. To pay for this Primo de Rivera introduced higher taxes on
the rich. When they complained he changed his policies and attempted
to raise money by public loans. This caused rapid inflation and after
losing support of the army was forced to resign in January 1930.
Miguel
Primo de Rivera, the father of José
Antonio Primo de Rivera, died from diabetes on 16th March 1930.
(1)
Miguel Primo de Rivera, speech (September 1923)
We have reason on our side and, therefore,
force, though so far we have used force with moderation. If an attempt
is made to trick us into a compromise which our conscience considers
dishonourable, we shall demand greater penalties, and impose them
with greater severity. Neither I, nor the garrisons of Aragon, from
whom I have just received a telegram in support, will agree to anything
but a military dictatorship. If the politicians make an attempt to
defend themselves, we shall do the same, relying on the help of the
people, whose reserves of energy are great. Today we are resolved
on moderation, but, on the other hand, we shall not shrink from bloodshed.
(2)
Luis
Bolin, Spain, the Vital Years (1967)
Unlike the national rising against
an even graver situation that set
off civil war in 1936, General Primo de Rivera's move was a classic
coup d'etat, swiftly and ably executed by a man who did not
hesitate to take the entire responsibility on his shoulders. He relied
on the partially expressed support of the Army, though not all its
leaders backed Primo, nor were they with him unflinchingly until the
end.
There
was no opposition from political parties or labour unions. The majority
of the nation resigned itself to a fait accompli and hoped
for the best, or for something sensational, but there were no street
scenes, no riots, no shooting. Objective and far-sighted citizens,
without a stake in the political arena and no possibility of gain
from turbulence and unrest, heaved a sigh of relief and applauded
the coup d'etat, once
its success became evident.
A brief period sufficed
to show that the dictator meant business. Instead
of persecuting his predecessors or making them responsible for the
shortcomings of the regime, Primo de Rivera devoted himself to constructive
work. The murder of two postal employees in a railway van, committed
shortly after his access to power and punished by a Court of Justice
with the extreme rigour of the law, showed that crime was no longer
profitable. Plans for military action in Spanish Morocco were revised
from bottom to top; in less than three years, the entire Protectorate
was pacified and the war was brought to a victorious end.
There were no strikes,
production attained new levels, private enterprise flourished. A network
of roads, properly banked and well-surfaced, spread over the country.
At long last, Spain's valuable hydraulic resources began to be harnessed
and exploited. Work was carried out in harbours and railways, schools
were built, industry and trade registered progress, and national economy
soared. Two exhibitions of an impressive character, held in Seville
and Barcelona in the year 1929, proved that Spain could thrive rapidly
under a system guaranteeing peace, prosperity and the rule of practical
law.
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