Home / IB DP History / IBDP History HL Paper 3 – Democracy, Authoritarianism and Conflict in Spain (circa 1920–2020)- Exam-Style Questions
To what extent was Primo de Rivera’s government successful between \(1923\) and \(1930\)? \([15]\)
Detailed solution
Primo de Rivera’s government achieved some economic and social successes, but its failures caused it to lose support from key groups.
Public works programmes created roads, expanded railways and developed hydroelectric schemes. These policies produced near-full employment for a time and provided cheap housing for workers.
Labour laws were extended and women formed an increasing proportion of the workforce. However, women were still denied the vote.
The \(1929\) crash damaged the Spanish economy and limited his ability to continue reform. His attempts to reform army promotion and failure to address military grievances lost him support from the army.
He did little for industrial and agricultural workers, while bureaucratic control of industry alienated capitalists. The war in Spanish Morocco drained resources, and he eventually lost support from the right, the king, republicans and the left.
“Political cooperation successfully resolved internal tensions during the transition to democracy in Spain.” Discuss. \([15]\)
Detailed solution
Political cooperation was highly important in Spain’s transition to democracy, although economic crisis, violence and regional tensions meant that internal problems were not fully resolved.
The transition depended on cooperation between moderate elites, the new king and opposition groups. They agreed to elections and the creation of a democratic political system.
The Francoist Parliament was dissolved, political parties were legalized and democratic elections were called. Agreements were also made to address the economic crisis.
The democratic Constitution of \(1978\) and the recognition of nationalities and autonomous communities resulted from political compromise. Suárez and the Democratic Convergence Platform also played important roles.
However, the Arias Navarro government was short-lived, economic crisis caused mobilization and political violence continued. Basque separatist conflict and the attempted coup of \(1981\) show that cooperation reduced tensions but did not eliminate them.