Straperlo facts for kids
Straperlo was the name of a big scandal in Spain during the 1930s. It started with a special roulette game that was brought from the Netherlands. This roulette machine was tricky because it could be secretly controlled with a button.
When people found out about this rigged game, it caused a huge scandal. This event was one of the reasons why the government at the time, called the Republican government, became weaker. It also made the political groups in Spain argue even more. All of this helped lead to the start of the terrible Spanish Civil War (1936–1939).
Contents
How the Name "Straperlo" Started
The name "Straperlo" came from the names of the people who created the rigged roulette game. They were partners from the Netherlands.
One of the main partners was named Daniel Strauss. Sources are a bit different about the other partners. Some say there was just one more person named Jules Perel. Others say there was a third partner, Lowann, who was Strauss's wife. Another historian, Paul Preston, says the second partner was Perlowitz. Some people also think the name might have come from the idea of the roulette machines having an "extra pearl" inside.
What Happened Because of Straperlo
The Straperlo scandal had a big impact on Spanish politics. Because of the strong reactions from other political groups, the government led by Lerroux and his Radical Republican Party had to step down.
New elections were held in 1936. The Popular Front, a group of left-wing parties, won these elections. This happened during a very unstable time in Spain. The Radical Republican Party, which was involved in the scandal, almost disappeared. The political tension kept growing. This eventually led to a military takeover, known as the coup d'état, started by General Francisco Franco and his supporters in July 1936. This event marked the beginning of the Spanish Civil War.
"Estraperlo" in Everyday Language
After the scandal, especially after the Spanish Civil War ended, the word "Straperlo" became part of the Spanish language. It changed slightly to "estraperlo."
Now, when people use the word "estraperlo," it means any kind of illegal or dishonest deal. It is often used to talk about the black market, which is when things are bought and sold secretly and illegally, usually to avoid taxes or rules.
See also
In Spanish: Estraperlo para niños
- History of Spain
- Stavisky Affair, a similar scandal in France in 1934 that also shook the government.
Sources
- José Carlos García Rodríguez El Caso Strauss. El escándalo que precipitó el final de la II República Editorial Akrón, Astorga (León), 2008 ISBN: 978-84-936725-0-8.
- Marc Fontbona, El estraperlo, una ruleta política, "La Aventura de la historia" (Madrid), núm. 120 (Octubre 2008), 36-40.
