Popular Front and Spanish Civil War: 1936
**The Popular Front and the Road to the Spanish Civil War**
February 1936: Elections and Rising Tensions
The February 1936 elections took place in a climate of heightened political polarization. The right-wing parties were embroiled in the *Straperlo* scandal, a major corruption case that fueled public distrust. Between February and July 1936, Spain witnessed a surge in violence, with 269 deaths attributed to political clashes. The atmosphere was extremely tense, marked by social unrest and a growing sense of impending conflict.
The left-wing parties united under the banner of the Popular Front, a coalition aimed at implementing significant social and economic reforms.
Election Results
The Popular Front emerged victorious, securing 278 seats in the Cortes Generales. The right-wing parties won 124 seats, while the center parties obtained 51 seats.
The New Government
The Popular Front formed a new government, with Manuel Azaña (Izquierda Republicana) as President of the Republic and Santiago Casares Quiroga (Organización Republicana Gallega Autónoma) as President of the Government. The Popular Front government was committed to enacting sweeping changes, building upon the reforms initiated during the 1931-1933 period.
Key Actions of the Popular Front Government
The government aimed to implement more radical reforms than those attempted previously, which had been perceived as too slow. These reforms included:
- Agrarian Reform: Immediate expropriation of land, with streamlined processes for land distribution to peasants, bypassing lengthy legal procedures.
- Government and Political Prisoners: Amnesty for those imprisoned following the events of October 1934, including Lluís Companys and his government. Reinstatement of the Catalan Statute of Autonomy. Repressive military commanders, such as General Franco, were reassigned to remote locations like the Canary Islands, limiting their influence.
Impact of the Reforms
Between February and July 1936, the government expropriated 232,199 hectares of land, more than double the amount expropriated at the beginning of the Second Republic. Additionally, 71,919 workers were reinstated to their jobs. The amnesty granted to those involved in the 1934 uprising affected around 30,000 prisoners. The Law of Labor Contracts was reinstated, further strengthening workers’ rights.
Background to the Civil War
The period was marked by two irreconcilable sides, leading to *Frontism*, a deep division between the right and left. This division, coupled with an ongoing economic crisis, accelerated the deterioration of the political situation and ultimately led to the outbreak of the Civil War.
The left-wing was composed of the labor movement (anarchists, Marxists), and reformists (lower middle class). The right-wing consisted of the economic oligarchy (upper bourgeoisie, landowners), the industrial sector in the north, the Church, and segments of the middle class.
Pre-War Climate
In the four months between February 16 and June 15, 1936, political violence resulted in:
- 269 deaths
- 1,287 injuries
- 160 churches destroyed
- 215 churches partially demolished
- Over 500 buildings destroyed, including political party headquarters and newspaper offices
- 113 general strikes