Burke (from whom he derived a brand of traditionalism with a historicist rather than religious matrix) and Joaquín Francisco Pacheco. Cánovas embraced an essentialist, metaphysical and providentialist conception of the nation. A staunch opponent to universal suffrage, he held the view that "universal suffrage begets socialism in a natural, necessary and inevitable way". In reference to his political and intellectual stature, Cánovas was nicknamed as el Monstruo ("The Monster") by his peers. Legacy The policies of repression and political manipulation that Cánovas made a cornerstone of his government helped foster the nationalist movements in both Catalonia and the Basque provinces and set the stage for labour unrest during the first two decades of the 20th century. The disastrous colonial policy not only led to the loss of Spain's remaining colonial possessions in the Pacific and Caribbean but also seriously weakened the government at home. A failed postwar coup by Camilo de Polavieja set off a long period of political instability, which ultimately led to the collapse of the monarchy and the dissolution of the constitution that Cánovas had authored. His white marble mausoleum was carved by Agustí Querol Subirats at the Panteón de Hombres Ilustres, in Madrid. Arms References Citations Bibliography Further reading 1893: Spanish Conservative Leader Escapes Dynamite Attack, The New York Times Other sources The original version of this article draws heavily on the corresponding article in the Spanish-language Wikipedia, which was accessed in the version of 6 September 2007. 1828 births 1897 deaths People from Málaga Assassinated heads of government Assassinated Spanish politicians Deaths by firearm in Spain Knights of St. Gregory the Great Knights of the Golden Fleece Leaders of political parties in Spain Members of the Royal Spanish Academy Members of the Royal Academy of Belgium Economy and finance ministers of Spain Presidents of the Congress of Deputies (Spain) Conservative Party (Spain) politicians People murdered in Spain Prime Ministers of Spain Spanish untitled nobility Spanish murder victims Male murder victims 1897 murders in Europe 1890s murders in Spain Spanish political party founders