Conservative Party (Spain) facts for kids

The Liberal Conservative Party (in Spanish: Partido Liberal-Conservador, or PLC) was an important political party in Spain. It was also known simply as the Conservative Party. Antonio Cánovas del Castillo started the party in 1876. It played a big role in Spanish politics for many years.

History of the Party

How the Party Started

The Conservative Party was created by Antonio Cánovas del Castillo in 1876. This happened after a time of big changes in Spain, known as the Revolutionary Sexennial. The party was formed to support the return of the monarchy with Alfonso XII of Spain as king. This was after the First Spanish Republic had failed.

The party was called "liberal" because it believed in a system of government based on the 1876 Constitution. Cánovas himself helped write this constitution. It was called "conservative" because it wanted to keep traditional ideas and stability in Spain.

Many members of the new Conservative Party came from older political groups. Some were from the Liberal Union, and others from the Moderate Party. Cánovas del Castillo was a very powerful figure in Spanish politics for a long time.

In 1885, the Conservative Party made an important agreement called the Pact of El Pardo. They signed this with the Liberal Party, led by Sagasta. The agreement said that the two parties would take turns being in power. This system was called turno. It was meant to keep radical groups, like socialists or anarchists, from gaining power and threatening the monarchy. Local powerful people, called caciques, helped make sure this system worked across Spain.

After Cánovas del Castillo was killed in 1897, Francisco Silvela became the new leader of the party.

Antonio Maura's Time (1905–1913)

A cartoon showing Antonio Maura leaving power.

After Francisco Silvela passed away in 1905, the Conservative Party needed a new strong leader. This was hard because many local politicians had their own power. Finally, Antonio Maura became the leader. Silvela himself had chosen Maura as his successor.

Maura became the head of the government several times. His most important period was from 1907 to 1909. Interestingly, Maura had first been a member of the Liberal Party. But he later joined the Conservatives.

In 1903, King Alfonso XIII asked Maura to lead the government. Maura helped the king make a successful visit to Barcelona. During this visit, Maura was injured in an attack. He left the government in 1904 after disagreeing with the king.

Maura returned to power in 1907. During his time, he passed many new laws. These included laws about elections, strikes, and Sunday rest. He also created the National Institute of Social Security (INP). This helped people with social benefits. He also worked to improve the Spanish Navy.

Maura also tried to make Spain closer to France and Great Britain. However, his time in power also saw serious public unrest. One major event was the Tragic Week (Spain) in Barcelona in 1909. After these events, Francisco Ferrer was executed, accused of causing the problems. This led to a huge public outcry against Maura. People even put up posters saying "Maura No." This ended his popularity. He left the government in October 1909. In 1913, he stepped down as party leader.

Eduardo Dato's Time (1913–1921)

In 1913, the lawyer Eduardo Dato became the leader of the Conservative Party. This caused a split in the party. Some members supported Maura, and others supported Dato. This made the party weaker.

Dato became head of government again in 1917. He had to deal with a big general strike in August. He also led the government during World War I. Even though Spain was neutral, the war affected the country.

Maura returned to lead the government in 1918. He formed a government that included both his supporters and Dato's supporters, along with members of the Liberal Party. This was a time of crisis with the war and the Russian Revolution. This government created the new eight-hour workday law.

In 1920, Dato became head of government again. He continued to work on social reforms. He created the Ministry of Labour to help workers. He also worked to stop violence by anarchists in Barcelona. Dato was killed in Madrid in 1921 while he was still leading the government.

The Party's Final Years (1923–1931)

In September 1923, General Miguel Primo de Rivera took power in Spain. This started a dictatorship. During this time, the Conservative Party and its leaders were kept out of politics.

The party only returned to government in 1930. This was the last government of the monarchy, led by Admiral Juan Bautista Aznar-Cabañas. Juan de la Cierva y Peñafiel became the leader of the Conservatives at this time. Many of the old leaders like Silvela, Maura, and Dato had passed away. Other former members had joined new republican groups.

In April 1931, local elections showed that the Conservative Party had lost most of its support. Their power was not real anymore. When the Second Republic was declared on April 14, 1931, the party leader Juan de la Cierva tried to stop King Alfonso XIII from leaving Spain, but it was too late.

The Conservative Party disappeared shortly after the Second Republic was established.

Party Leaders

• 1876–1897 Antonio Cánovas del Castillo
• 1897–1905 Francisco Silvela
• 1905–1913 Antonio Maura
• 1913–1921 Eduardo Dato e Iradier
• 1921–1923 No official leader
• 1923–1930 No official leader (during the dictatorship)
• 1930–1931 Juan de la Cierva y Peñafiel

Images for kids

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  Juan de la Cierva y Peñafiel, the last leader of the Conservative Party.

See also

In Spanish: Partido Liberal-Conservador para niños

• Liberal Party (Spain, 1880)