Second Spanish Republic: Social & Political Issues
The Agrarian Problem
The agrarian problem stemmed from unequal land distribution, with the existence of large estates and small farms (minifundios). The Bases of Agrarian Reform, approved on September 15, 1932, aimed to restrict large land ownership and create a smallholder sector, excluding grazing lands, communal lands, and logging areas. Expropriated lands were given to Provincial Boards for distribution to laborers and settlers in exchange for a small income.
However, the reform faced several obstacles:
- Resistance from landowners
- Systematic opposition from right and center forces in Congress
- Abandonment of the decree’s approval process
- Implementation of the reform only in traditional areas
- Lengthy procedures in developing the Land Census of expropriate lands
- Absence of a national agricultural bank to finance expropriations
- Low budget for farm operations
- Division between Republicans and Socialists
Only 12,000 families benefited, instead of the projected 60,000 per year. The land reform created expectations that were impossible to meet.
The Religious Problem
The Church remained a significant landowner and held real estate. It maintained teaching activities, educating a high percentage of students in primary and secondary schools and two major universities. These activities provided the Church with substantial revenue, in addition to its political power through support of the Crown. The Church actively participated in politics, following Vatican guidelines, and accepted the Republican regime. The government attempted to control the Church’s influence through measures like:
- Subjugation of religious orders
- Establishment of civil marriage, divorce, and burial laws
- Prohibition of religious education by religious orders
- Removal of crucifixes and religious symbols from schools
- Dismissal of clergy who advised Public Institution Boards
Catholics, aware of the situation, began organizing to defend their interests.
Political Model of the Second Republic (1931-1936)
- 1931: Provisional Government
- 1931-1933: Reformist Biennium
- 1933-1936: Radical-CEDA Biennium
- 1936: Popular Front
Main Political Groups:
Left
- PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party): The most voted group, supported by the UGT (General Union of Workers) with a large membership. Key leaders included Julián Besteiro, Indalecio Prieto, and Francisco Largo Caballero.
- Radical-Socialist Republican Party: Led by Marcelino Domingo.
- Republican Action: Led by Manuel Azaña.
- Left Republican of Catalonia: Led by Francesc Macià and Lluís Companys.
- ORGA (Galician Autonomist Republican Organization): Led by Santiago Casares Quiroga.
- PCE (Communist Party of Spain): Did not initially win any seats.
Center
- Radical Party: Led by Alejandro Lerroux. Diego Martínez Barrio later formed the left-leaning Republican Union in 1934.
- Liberal Republican Right: Led by Niceto Alcalá-Zamora.
Right
- Agrarian Party: Represented the landed oligarchy.
- National Action: A Catholic group founded by Ángel Herrera Oria and led by José María Gil-Robles.
- JONS (Juntas of the National Syndicalist Offensive): Led by Onésimo Redondo and Ramiro Ledesma.
- Falange Española (Spanish Phalanx): A fascist group led by José Antonio Primo de Rivera.
- Traditionalist Communion: Represented Carlist interests.
- Spanish Renovation: A monarchist, conservative, and pro-fascist group led by José Calvo Sotelo and Antonio Goicoechea.
Nationalist Groups
- Catalan Regionalist League: Lost support to the Left Republican of Catalonia.
- PNV (Basque Nationalist Party): Catholic and nationalist.
Other Organizations
- UGT (General Union of Workers)
- CNT (National Confederation of Labor): Refused to participate in politics.
The PSOE and UGT acted in political coordination. The CNT and UGT shared 50% control of the working class.