Miguel Primo de Rivera (Vive l'Emperor)

Miguel Primo de Rivera was born on January 8th 1870. He came from an aristrocratic military, his father miguel (1824 - 1891) was a brigadier general, his grandfather had been a general and his great-grandfather had fought during the 100 days campaign. Miguel recieved a good education and in 1885 his father secured him a comission as a lieutenant. In 1887 he became a captain and served with the royal guards. He rose through the ranks very quickly becoming a major (1890), lieutenant colonel (1894), colonel (1897) and in 1899 he became spain's youngest ever brigadier general.

In 1902 he became a major general and military governor of Madrid, a post he retained until 1914. Upon the outbreak of war, french troops invaded spain and place the carlist pretender, Jaime, on the throne. As governor of madrid Miguel was in a key position, he was a keen supporter of king francis the IV, who in september had fled to america. Consequently Miguel resisted the french invasion and led spanish troops during the battle of madrid (october 1914), however his troops were overwhelmed and he was forced to retreat south. But Rivera's troops were able to form a defensive position and fromed an alliance with rebel portuguese generals who wanted to overthrow the pro french king Manuel II. By 1916 Rivera's forces had been reinforced by British and Italian troops and he was able to launch an offensive. He was able to capture much of southern spain. On May 3rd 1916 king Francis returned to spain and met with newly promoted general rivera. The front then died down until late 1918, then de Rivera launched a swift offensive, and in only 8 weeks he secured all of spain. In late November king Jaime fled and Rivera entered madrid with the king to a hero's welcome. Rivera was appointed interim prime minister at the head of an acting military government. He served for 2 month and then handed over power to a democratic government.

Upon his handing over of power Primo de Rivera was appointed captain general of spain, a rank that had rarely been used by non-monarchs.