Primo de Rivera was a very interesting and imporant figure in Spain in the 20th Century. Spain had a series of alternating government by parties that was venal and inefficient. Primo de Rivera was appointed Prime Minister in 1923 and for the next seven years ran a mild, benevolent dictatorship. He brought economic growth and many reforms to allievate the misery of the Spanish workers.
Primo de Rivera was a party type of guy. He would go on a toot, and without bodyguards, and all by himself, wearing a cloak and snappy uniform, go from bar to bar, tavern to tavern, drinking, chasing women and hanging out with Gypsies. He was extremely popular.
He was eventually undone by the turn in the economy in 1929. He lost the confidence of he king and the army. He retired in early 1930, moved to Paris, and died shortly thereafter.
After Primo de Rivera left the scene, Spain soon sank into the Spanish Civil War that started in 1936 after being wracked by half a decade of violence, disorder and generally bad government.
