Economic and Social Reforms in the Early Spanish Republic
Economic Situation of the Early Republic
The early years of the republic were set on a stable economic framework, despite the consequences of the 1929 crash. Agricultural production remained relatively unchanged. The country faced a situation highlighted by two negative factors: the crisis of foreign trade and increasing unemployment due to internal conflicts and the return of migrants.
Social Reforms
The first constitutional cabinet, headed by Azaña, continued with reforms. Largo Caballero, Minister of Labour, approved the Employment Contracts Act and the Mixed Jury. This faced strong opposition from employers, who targeted Largo Caballero’s resignation. The education reform continued with the construction of new schools and teaching positions between 1932 and 1933. The government adopted a model based on public, free, and mixed education. The elimination of Catholic religion as a subject caused rejection from the right and the church, which forbade Catholics from enrolling their children in these schools. The military reform, initiated by Azaña, aimed to reduce and modernize the army. The military budget was cut, and Azaña tried to prioritize studies and training for promotion.
Agrarian Reform
The famine faced by farmers required urgent action. Both the Republican Left and the Socialists knew that land reform was essential. The reform intended to settle farmers on the land of large estates, considered a major cause of poverty. After four months of debate, the bill was approved. The Basic Law of Agrarian Reform declared the expropriation of some land. However, its application proved unsuccessful due to the strength of the landowners, leaving the peasantry disappointed and increasing unemployment.
Opposition and Social Conflict
The parliamentary opposition was led by the Radical Party, increasingly opposed to the government. Employers’ associations, federated in the National Economic Union, opposed land reform and labor legislation. On the left, the CNT opted for a revolutionary line, as did the PCE. The UGR continued to support the government, leading to tensions within the union. Social conflicts were continuous, as peasants and workers, who had hoped for reforms, watched as the resistance of the owners delayed the changes.
Attempted Coup of 1932
The expulsion of the Jesuits and the discussion of land reform and the autonomy statute for Catalonia led to opposition from the right. Political tensions culminated on August 10 in the coup attempt of General Sanjurjo (The Sanjurjada). The coup allowed the government to pass the agrarian reform law and the Catalan Statute.
Azaña Government Crisis and the 1933 Elections
In January 1933, in the village of Casas Viejas, members of the Guardia Civil Assault besieged and killed a group of anarchists. The violence caused a scandal and a serious political crisis. Catholics organized in the Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Right (CEDA) under the leadership of Gil Robles. Spanish monarchists founded Renewal, under the direction of Calvo Sotelo, and the far right grouped in the Spanish Falange, a fascist ideology group founded by the son of the dictator Primo de Rivera. After a few months, a member of the Radical Party formed the new government, dissolving the Parliament and calling new elections in November 1933. The victory of the right was due to several causes, including the Left’s inability to agree on supporting their candidates. The victory of the right was contested by an armed insurrection organized by the CNT, which failed but caused the imprisonment of many leading anarchists.