Second Spanish Republic: Political & Social Upheaval (1931-1933)
Second Spanish Republic (1931-1933)
Proclamation and Provisional Government
Following the elections of April 12, 1931, the Second Spanish Republic was proclaimed, leading to the exile of King Alfonso XIII. A provisional government was formed, comprising diverse political factions:
- Republican Right (Alcalá Zamora)
- Republican Left (Manuel Azaña)
- Radical Republicans (Alejandro Lerroux)
- Socialists (Indalecio Prieto)
- Catalan and Galician Nationalists (Santiago Casares Quiroga)
This government called for constituent elections and urgent reforms.
Constituent Elections and the 1931 Constitution
The constituent elections resulted in a majority for the Republican-Socialist coalition. The 1931 Constitution, with its democratic character, established:
- Legislative power residing in a unicameral parliament.
- Executive power in the Council of Ministers and the President of the Republic.
- Judicial power in independent judges.
- A wide declaration of rights and liberties, including women’s suffrage.
- Separation of church and state.
Manuel Azaña became Prime Minister, and Alcalá Zamora was elected President.
Reforms of the Azaña Government (1931-1933)
The Azaña government, formed by left-wing Republicans and Socialists, pushed forward several key reforms:
Military Reform
Azaña aimed to create a professional army. He reduced the size of the military, offered retirement to officers, and reorganized military academies. However, the reform faced resistance and budgetary constraints.
Religious Reform
The Republic restricted the Church’s influence by declaring a non-denominational state, guaranteeing freedom of worship, legalizing divorce, and dissolving the Jesuit order. This created a powerful enemy in the Church.
Agrarian Reform
The government sought to improve the peasants’ situation and modernize agriculture. Measures included an 8-hour workday, minimum wage, and land redistribution. Large estates were expropriated, sometimes with compensation, sometimes without. The reform’s impact was limited, and it alienated large landowners.
Regional Autonomy
The government negotiated with Catalonia and the Basque Country. Catalonia’s Statute of Autonomy (Núria Statute) was approved. The Basque Statute (Estella Statute) was initially rejected, but the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) later aligned with Republican forces, leading to a democratic statute in 1936.
Social and Educational Reforms
Minister Indalecio Prieto implemented social reforms, including the Employment Contracts Act with a 40-hour work week and wage increases. These measures angered employers. Education reforms included the creation of 10,000 new schools, promoting a mixed, secular, compulsory, and free education model.
Rising Tensions and the 1933 Elections
Strikes, insurrections, and land occupations increased, reflecting growing social unrest. By 1933, the Republican-Socialist coalition was losing support. Azaña resigned, dissolved the Cortes, and called for new elections in November.
The 1933 elections saw a victory for center-right parties, leading to a shift in the political landscape and the dismantling of some of the previous government’s reforms.