Key Figures of the Second Spanish Republic
Alcalá-Zamora (1877-1949)
Twice Prime Minister under the monarchy, Alcalá-Zamora later led the Republican party’s moderate and Catholic factions. As President of the Republican Committee, he was jailed in 1930. After the Republic’s proclamation, he became the first Head of Government in 1931 but resigned over disagreements concerning religious freedom in the constitution. Two months later, he was elected President of the Republic, a position he held until its overthrow in 1936.
Azaña (1880-1940)
A participant in the Pact of San Sebastián, Azaña gained prominence after the Republic’s proclamation. He served as War Minister and President during the first two constitutional governments, driving significant reforms. In 1934, he joined Republican Action, which later merged with the Radical Socialist Party and Republican Left to form the Popular Front. Their electoral victory in 1936 led to his presidency, the second and last of the Republic. He died in exile in France.
Besteiro
A PSOE member, Besteiro was jailed for his involvement in a strike committee but later pardoned. Despite being appointed to lead the PSOE and UGT, he declined and resigned from his party positions. During the Civil War, he advocated for negotiated peace and participated in the coup against Negrín’s government. He was subsequently imprisoned and died in captivity.
Calvo Sotelo (1893-1936)
A law professor, Calvo Sotelo entered politics in 1919. He held the finance ministry under Primo de Rivera and went into exile during the Republic’s early years. He later attempted to join the Spanish Falange but was rebuffed by Primo de Rivera. As leader of the National Bloc, he won a seat in the 1936 elections, taking an extremist stance and clashing with the Popular Front. He was assassinated in July 1936.
Companys (1883-1940)
Active in the Republican Union, Companys participated in the creation of Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya. During the Second Republic, he served as Minister of the Navy, President of the Catalan Parliament, and President of the Generalitat from 1933. His proclamation of a Catalan State in 1934 led to his imprisonment. Released after the Popular Front’s victory, he resumed the Generalitat presidency. He fled to France after the war but was arrested by the Germans, extradited to Spain, and executed.
Casares Quiroga (1884-1950)
A lawyer and member of ORGA, Casares Quiroga participated in the Pact of San Sebastián. He held the Navy and Interior ministries under Azaña. After the Popular Front’s triumph, he became Head of Government. He resigned after the military uprising, opposing the arming of civilians.
Domingo (1864-1939)
Born in Tortosa, Domingo pursued a teaching career and embraced federal republicanism. During the dictatorship, he founded the Radical-Socialist Party and worked towards unity among republican and leftist forces. He served as Minister of Public Instruction and later Agriculture in the 1931 Provisional Government.
Franco
Franco gained military prestige for his role in suppressing the Asturian miners’ revolt. He led the army uprising in Africa in 1936, taking command of Moroccan troops. In September 1936, he was appointed Head of State and Generalissimo of the armed forces.
General Miaja (1878-1958)
A moderate Republican with military experience in Morocco, Miaja briefly served as Minister of War in 1936. After the government’s move to Valencia, he became head of Madrid’s defense, symbolizing the city’s resistance. He supported Casado’s coup in 1939 and continued to participate in republican institutions from exile in Mexico.
General Mola (1887-1937)
Known as the ‘Director’ of the 1936 coup, Mola played a key role in its planning and execution. He died in a plane crash shortly after the uprising began.
General Rojo (1894-1966)
A veteran of the Moroccan campaigns, Rojo remained loyal to the Republican government during the war. He helped organize Madrid’s defense and served as Chief of Staff, planning operations like Teruel and the Ebro. Despite his conservative Catholic background, he collaborated closely with the Communists.
Galan
Serving under Franco during the Third Carlist War, Galán later developed radical political views, opposing the liberal regime. He joined the failed Sanjuanada uprising against the dictatorship and was imprisoned.
Gil Robles (1898-1980)
A member of Popular Action with conservative Catholic views, Gil Robles was elected deputy in 1931. In 1932, he founded CEDA, which became the largest party after the 1933 elections. Initially supporting Radical governments, CEDA ministers joined the government in 1934. With his reactionary and anti-reformist ideology, Gil Robles collaborated with future coup leaders, seeking a military solution.
Giral
A founder of Republican Action, Giral later joined other republican groups. He served as Navy Minister under Azaña. After the military uprising, he became President of the Government and authorized the distribution of arms to workers’ organizations. He also participated in the Largo Caballero and Negrín governments.
General Sanjurjo (1872-1936)
Commander of Melilla and senior army commissar of Morocco, Sanjurjo led a failed coup in 1932 and was sentenced to death, later commuted to life imprisonment. Pardoned in 1934, he died in a plane crash en route to Spain to lead the 1936 uprising.
General Yagüe (1891-1952)
An Africanist military officer with Falangist leanings, Yagüe led the revolt in Ceuta in 1936. He commanded the Legion in Badajoz, where he carried out brutal repression. A member of the military junta, he became Minister of State. In 1939, he was appointed Air Force General but was later ousted for alleged conspiracy with Falangists. He commanded in Melilla and later fought against guerrillas in the Pyrenees.