At the beginning of the century, Valencia was an industrialized city. The importance and predominance of the silk industry had decreased and the production of tannery had subsisted and strongly influenced the wood, metallurgy and food sectors, and this last one with an exportation activity, mostly wines and citrus. The petit enterprise prevailed but mechanization was being slowly introduced and production was ruled by industrial criteria. The best example of this trend was the regional expositions, specifically the 1909 Fair, located next to the Alameda, where agriculture and industry’s advancements were shown. The International Samples Fair was created.

Moments of crisis were being experienced in spite of this economic progress; the two party system that had supported the Restoration had lesser support at the ballot boxes; Cuba’s loss caused a generalized wave of indignation; the workers in a growing number due to the industrialization began to be organized demanding better life conditions. It was the suitable ground for the establishment of radical ideologies. Blasco Ibañez’s Republican Party was benefited from the results of discontent throughout several decades, obtaining a huge popular support and ruled the consistory between 1901 and 1923.

The First World War seriously affected the Valencian economy, collapsing the citrus exportations and producing the uncontrolled rise of prices and shortage of supplies of the market. In 1917, the uneasiness in the capital was expressed in the form of general strike, which lasted for several weeks, harming even more the already social scenario. In 1919 and 1920 mobilizations were repeated and a spiral of violence began in which blasts and killings of civilians and public agents occurred.
 
The establishment of Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship in 1923 halted the social conflict for several years but the growing political radicalization did not cease. The workers’ movement was consolidating its union organization; meanwhile the conservative sectors were gathered around the Valencian Regional Right.

Local elections were held on April the 12th, 1931 in which the coalition of the republican parties achieved an absolute victory, therefore Alfonso the 13th renounced to the throne and left the country, thus the Second Republic was proclaimed on April 14th.
A situation of social uneasiness was experienced during the Republic and Valencia faced this social situation since May with the assault to churches and convents and continued in the following months with strikes and commotions. These mobilizations sometimes had to do with less conflictive reasons, such as the burial service of Blasco Ibañez’s mortal remains in 1932; he died in France and meant a great mourning.

The promotion of the conservative front to power in 1933 eased the arrival of Blasco Ibáñez’s followers up to the highest instances of power but at the same time, it marked the beginning of its decline by the progressive conservative trend of the party.
The military uprising of July 18th, 1936 did not succeed in Valencia; on the contrary, the militia men took the administrative and military control of the city. A revolutionary scenario prevailed throughout some months, slowly neutralized from the government. The continuation of the belligerent conflict was the cause for the transference of the capital of the Republic to Valencia in November 1936: the government settled at the palace of Benicarló, and the ministries occupied other palaces.  The city was intensively bombarded by air and sea, which led them to build more than two hundred refugees in order to protect the population. On March 30, 1939, Valencia surrendered and the troops of General Franco made their entrance in it.

The coming of a dictatorship caused a radical change: political parties were forbidden, a severe ideological repression began and the administration recovered the competences previous to the war. Rationing and the black market prevailed for more than a decade. Valencia would suffer the worst flood of its history in October the 14th, 1957.  

At the beginning of the 60 decade the economic recovery started, in this term Valencia experienced a great demographic growth due to the immigration and with the carrying out of important urban works and infra structures. The South Plan was implemented to build an alternative bank for the Turia River as to avoid the future overflowing, accesses were improved and inner reforms began, changing the appearance of some remarkable squares Such as the City Hall’s or the Queen’s and opening the streets. The city grew and new neighbourhoods were designed in the outskirts of the city and new avenues were outlined.

After the death of General Franco in 1975, a process of democratic transition began. The approval of the Spanish Constitution of 1978 was made, the State of Autonomies was foreseen in it and the transfer of competences to the Valencian Community, are important landmarks from our recent history.  However, this process was threatened with the putsch attempt of Captain General Milans del Bosch, radicalized in Valencia which took place on February 23, 1981. Democracy eased the recovery of the Valencian language and culture though certain social irritation could not be prevented concerning the symbols.

Valencia has experienced a great transformation over the last two decades. Emblematic projects such as Turia’s Garden, the IVAM, the Palau of Music or the Palace of Congresses, the subway, the City of Arts and Sciences and the Cabecera Park have identified the people here together with the city of Valencia and therefore, tourists come and visit the place more often.

All this comfort together with the infra structures and services let’s say Valencia’s Fair, Port, Airport and the public services of high quality make of Valencia a city decisively facing the future, in fact the city has already achieved an outstanding position within Spain and Europe.