Basque Autonomy and the Civil War (1917–1937) – Key Events
Introduction
The desire for self-government took the form of a statute of autonomy. The moderate sector of Basque nationalism, the Euskalerriacos (mainly CNV), promoted a campaign in favour of autonomy in 1917.
Spanish and international context: At the end of the First World War there were problems of nationalities, and the proposals for peace and the rights of self-determination were decisive.
In this context, Eusko Ikaskuntza emerged (1918), promoted by the four diputaciones to study Basque subjects. Euskaltzaindia also emerged from this society.
PNV did not take part in the signing of the Pact of San Sebastián (1930), delaying the approval of a Basque statute.
Second Republic in the Basque Country
Political forces in the Basque Country
The Basque political map was divided mainly into three political vertices (not the typical left–right division in Spain):
Nationalism: United around the PNV. Basque nationalism did not only constitute an ideology but also a strictly organized way of life with different organizations (Batzokiak, Emakume Abertzale Batza, EGI, Mendigoizaleak, ELA, Euskadi) and the celebration of Aberri Eguna since 1932.
Carlism: (Comunión Tradicionalista). It was the political force of the majority right in Euskal Herria. Carlism controlled Araba (thanks to the cacique Oriol) and Navarre. At first nationalists and Carlists worked together, but they later separated due to different ideas about the level of Basque autonomy.
The left: (PSOE, CNT, PCE). This political force was prominent in the capitals and industrial zones.
Towards autonomy (1931–1936)
Progress toward autonomy was complicated. Main reasons for difficulty included:
Different ideas of autonomy among political parties.
The non-participation of PNV in the Pact of San Sebastián.
Political alliance of PNV with Carlists during 1931–1933.
In April 1931 the Second Republic was proclaimed in Spain. From that moment nationalist mayors (headed by José Antonio Aguirre) started promoting self-government and worked on statutes. The first text was written by Eusko Ikaskuntza and became the starting point for drafts during the Republic. There were two main statutory attempts:
Statute of Lizarra (1931): The assembly of municipalities (nationalists and Carlists) met in Lizarra and approved the statute in June 1931. The statute reflected the nationalist right and a confessional footprint.
Characteristics:
The Fueros would be recovered.
The Basque Country would be a confederation (strong role for the diputaciones).
Limited rights of immigrants.
Confessional state.
Statute of the Juntas Gestoras (1933): Promoted by the left through the Juntas Gestoras (diputaciones) in accordance with the 1931 constitution. The project met in Pamplona for approval. Navarre decided to be outside the proposed autonomy of the four territories, but the project continued for the other three territories.
Characteristics:
Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa, and Araba would form an autonomous territory.
Parliament and government would be more important than the diputaciones.
Less autonomy than Lizarra, but eliminated discrimination against immigrants.
The right-wing government (CEDA, 1933–1935) eliminated the drafted statutes.
Statute of 1936: After the victory of the Popular Front, the draft autonomy was recovered. There were negotiations between the socialist Prieto and the nationalist Aguirre. On October 1, 1936, the Cortes approved the Statute in Valencia.
It was a limited statute (only 14 articles).
In a war situation the Basque government had to address other issues (Eusko Gudarostea, currency, etc.).
Lehendakari José Antonio Aguirre (PNV) was elected in Gernika (7 October) by unanimity of all political parties. The first Basque Government loyal to the Republic was made up of representatives from all political parties: EAJ/PNV (4), PSOE (3), EAE/ANV (1), Izquierda Republicana (1), Unión Republicana (1), and Partido Comunista de Euskadi (1).
From the outside, it was important to have a moderate and Catholic lehendakari because it countered the rebels’ association of the Republic with atheism.
The control of the Basque Government was limited to areas not controlled by the rebels (only Bizkaia, Aiara, and Eibar) until Bilbao fell in June 1937.
Civil War in Euskal Herria
The First Basque Government
Special characteristics:
The nationalist bourgeoisie sided with the left parties in favour of the Republic.
As a result of the isolation of the Basque Country, the Basque army (Eusko Gudarostea) emerged.
Special role of the Basque clergy (largely against the rebels).
Important mass movement in favour of the uprising (Carlism in Navarre).
In Araba and Navarre the uprising had the sympathy and help of the majority. Reasons included:
Economy based on agriculture.
Majority support for right-wing forces.
Great influence of the Church.
Civil War: Military uprising and development
Military uprising: On July 18, 1936, General Mola instigated the military uprising in Navarre with the help of the requetes (Carlist militia). There were cruel repressions (around 3,000 executed), and once that area was controlled they began the advance into Gipuzkoa.
In Araba, Colonel Alonso Vega, helped by Mola, the Carlist cacique Oriol and 1,300 volunteers, controlled almost all the province (except the north). A war front was established in Legutio.
In Gipuzkoa there was a popular reaction and resistance to the uprising. Defense juntas (without full coordination) took charge of leadership, creating tensions between anarchists and nationalists.
In Bizkaia there was no uprising; it remained loyal to the Republic.
Development of the war: The war was relatively short and developed in two main phases: Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia.
Gipuzkoa
Gipuzkoa soon came under rebel control after forces arrived from Navarre. Although Republicans resisted, on 4 September 1936 the rebels conquered Irun and later San Sebastián, controlling the interior of Gipuzkoa up to Eibar and placing the war front toward the border with Bizkaia.
Basque Government, the “Basque Oasis,” and Bizkaia
The second phase developed after approval of the Basque statute. The Basque Government faced a very difficult time: by 7 October 1936, under Lehendakari José Antonio Aguirre, two-thirds of the territory was under rebel control.
From that moment the Basque Government took political and military leadership under the hegemony of the PNV.
The Francoists’ main objective was Madrid, so there was less immediate pressure in the Basque Country. The Basque Government organized the Eusko Gudarostea and the defense of Bilbao (the “Iron Belt”). The Basque army was composed of battalions led by different political parties (in total 90: PNV 28, PSOE 13, ISU 13, PCE 8, Republicans 8, CNT 7, ANV 4, ELA 3, etc.).
To ensure public order an autonomous police, the Ertzaña, was created. The Basque Government took charge of the postal service, currency, and other functions, operating almost as an independent state.
Euskadi became an “oasis” within Republican Spain. Specific characteristics included:
Respect for the Church: the Church did not suffer attacks and continued its activities normally.
No social revolution: no widespread collectivization or land expropriations (except against those who sided with the nationalists).
Greater ideological diversity, but tensions existed between the Basque Government and the Republican government. The Basque Government complained about the limited help it received.
Development of the war in Bizkaia:
The Eusko Gudarostea (about 15,000 gudari) suffered a defeat in Legutio (Araba), damaging morale and creating distrust between the Basque Government and Republican authorities.
After spring 1937, the Francoist army launched a full offensive to control Bizkaia. The main objective was to seize Basque industry and suppress Basque nationalism. The German Condor Legion and Italian brigades provided essential help, using new military tactics: aviation and heavy artillery destroyed cities with bombs before infantry attacks (notably Durango, Gernika, and Bilbao).
Cities were massively bombed (Durango, Gernika, and Bilbao among them).
Francoist forces entered Bilbao on June 15, 1937 after breaking the Iron Belt.
After the fall of Bilbao:
Nationalist battalions surrendered to the Italians in the Pact of Santoña (August 22, 1937). This separate pact was viewed as an attempt by some Basque units to put Basque interests before those of the Republic. Franco did not respect the pact.
Socialists, communists, and anarchists continued fighting for the Republic until the fall of Asturias (October 1937).
Consequences of the War
Absolutely cruel repression, massive exile (around 150,000 people; during the war 30,000 children went into exile), imprisonments, trials, and executions.
Profound political and social cleansing within the administration.
Basque language and culture suffered persecution and prohibition.
Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa were considered traitorous provinces and were punished with the elimination of the economic agreement; Araba and Navarre remained loyal to Franco.