Spanish Military Cultures and the Moroccan Wars, 1909–36

Abstract

Four main military cultures existed within the Army of Africa: Africanist, Juntero, peninsular and political. Although they coexisted, each enjoyed a period of hegemony within the Army as a result of the course of military action in Morocco or the colonial strategy of the Spanish government. Africanist culture, divided over colonial strategy, was united around authoritarianism and a right-wing mythology of patriotism. Juntero culture focused at first mainly on professional military structure and not on strategy or mission. Peninsular culture was the replication in the colonial army of practices and mentalities characteristic of the peninsular army. Political culture derived from the appointments made by the Second Republic to ensure the colonial army’s loyalty. The Army of Africa was not therefore a united, homogenous bloc. But the last years of the colonial campaign saw the hegemony of the Africanist culture among colonial officers and it was this politically interventionist caste that played a fundamental role in overthrowing the Republic.