[Photo 27] Blasco Ibáñez, the versatile novelist and politician, managed to build up around himself an effervescent party of the masses, republican and radical; he governed the consistory during the first decades of the c. XX.

By the turn of the century Valencia had become an industrial city. Although the importance of the once-dominant silk industry had diminished, the leather sector continued to survive, and the wood, metalworking and food industries grew rapidly with the latter developing a very active export market particularly in wine and citrus fruits. Small companies existed in large numbers although mechanisation soon began to make its mark and production was governed by industrial criteria. These trends were clearly evident at the exhibitions hosted in the region, particularly the 1909 exhibition held near La Alameda showcasing the latest advances in agriculture and industry. The International Trade Fair was also founded at this time.

There were times of crisis to endure despite this economic progress: the two-party system that supported the Restoration was becoming increasing less popular with the electorate; the loss of Cuba provoked widespread indignation; the growing number of industrial workers began to join forces to demand improved living conditions. This was fertile ground for radical ideas to take root in. As far as Valencia was concerned Blasco Ibañez’s Republican party reaped this harvest of discontent for decade after decade and enjoyed tremendous popular support, governing the city almost uninterrupted between 1901 and 1923 (photo 27).

The First World War hit the Valencian economy badly; the citrus-fruit export market collapsed and prices spiralled out of control as market shortages kicked in. Discontent ran so high on the streets of the capital that a general strike lasting several weeks was called in 1917, further heightening social tensions. More demonstrations took place in 1919 and 1920 as the situation degenerated into violence with bombings and the murder of civilians and police officers commonplace.

[Photo 28] The people took to the streets to celebrate the proclamation of the II Republic.

Primo de Rivera’s coup of 1923 dampened social unrest for a few years but failed to counteract the increasing radicalisation of the political scene. The workers’ movement continued to consolidate its trade unions while conservative sectors rallied to the cause of the right-wing party, Derecha Regional Valenciana.

Local elections were held on 12 April 1931 with the coalition of republican parties emerging as the clear winners. The result prompted Alfonso XIII to abdicate and seek exile and the Second Republic was declared on 14 April (photo 28). The Republic was afflicted by a climate of virtually endless social turmoil. In Valencia violence broke out as early as May as churches and monasteries were stormed. The unrest continued in the following months with frequent riots and strikes. Not all public gatherings were motivated by conflict, however. For example, the funeral of Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, who died in France in 1932, occasioned an enormous outpouring of grief.

The rise to power of the conservatives in 1933 saw the “blasquistas” (Blasco Ibanez’s disciples) reach the highest positions of authority but also marked the beginning of their decline, brought about by the increasing conservatism of the party.

[Photo 29] Entry of the Franco troops into Valencia.

The backdrop to the 1936 elections, won by the left-wing Popular Front, was one of confrontation induced by the ever-more radical arguments of the political parties. The city council was dissolved and its powers handed to a ruling committee with political prisoners being released from prison. The protests continued unabated, however; churches and monasteries were attacked once more and viewpoints on the left and the right of the political spectrum became increasingly polarised.

The military uprising on 18 July 1936 proved unsuccessful in Valencia and in response the militias assumed administrative and military control of the city. A revolutionary atmosphere prevailed for the next few months although the government was slowly able to neutralise the situation. In November 1936, the government, forced by the course the war was taking, decided to make Valencia the capital of the Republic, installing itself in the Palace of Benicarló with ministers taking up residence in the city’s fine palaces. Valencia was subjected to heavy bombardments from air and sea and over two hundred shelters were built to protect the population. On 30 March 1939 Valencia surrendered and General Franco’s troops entered the city (photo 29).

The advent of the dictatorship led to radical changes: severe ideological repression was the order of the day as political parties were outlawed and the administration restored the powers enjoyed before the war. For the next decade or so rationing was enforced and black market thrived. On 14 October 1957 Valencia also suffered the worst floods in its history.

[Photo 30] Valencia flooded by the waters after the Turia River overflowed on the 14th of October in the year 1957.

The early sixties heralded an economic recovery and the population of Valencia soared due to the influx of immigrants and the execution of large housing, construction and engineering projects. The “Plan Sur”, designed to divert the flow of the Turia River to prevent future flooding, was implemented, the city’s road network was improved and the centre was reformed with some of Valencia’s main squares (such as the Plaza del Ayuntamiento or Plaza de la Reina) receiving a facelift and streets such as Poeta Querol being widened. As the city grew, new suburbs sprouted up in the outskirts and new avenues were designed.

Following the death of General Franco in 1975 the process of democratic transition began. The approval of the Spanish Constitution in 1978, the Statute of Autonomy it comprises and the transferral of powers to the Autonomous Community of Valencia are all significant landmarks in our recent history. This process was threatened, however, by the attempted coup led by Captain General Milans del Bosch in Valencia, on 23 February 1981. The restoration of democracy fostered the recovery of Valencian language and culture although the use of certain symbols still generated some controversy.

[Photo 31] The City of Arts and Sciences, a futuristic image for the city.

In the last two decades Valencia has undergone an amazing transformation. Flagship projects such as the gardens, Jardín del Turia; the IVAM (Valencia Institute of Modern Art); the concert hall, Palau de la Música, and the conference centre, Palau de Congresos; the metro; the Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias (City of the Arts and Sciences), and the park, Parque de Cabecera, have all helped the people of Valencia identify with their city and are attracting ever-larger numbers of tourists (photo 31). These projects, along with its infrastructures and services – the trade fair centre, Feria Valencia, and the port and airport – and its quality public facilities have made Valencia what it is today; a modern city embracing the future with optimism, firmly established as it is in a prominent position both in Spain and in Europe.