Second Spanish Republic: Socialist Reforms & Agrarian Challenges
The Reforms of the Socialist-Reformist Biennium
In the spirit of twentieth-century regenerationism, the government aimed to reform and modernize the old state and address long-standing problems. Alcalá Zamora was elected president, and the Azaña government (Republican Left), choosing to align with the PSOE rather than the Radical Republicans (center), took office. The governments of this biennium were crucial in enacting reforms considered essential for modernizing the company and the state. However, the government lacked majority support. For two years, the new government, led by Manuel Azaña, attempted to find solutions to major problems plaguing the country, a task proving more complicated than expected.
The Reforms
a) Land Reform: Problem, Process, and Outcome
The Problem
Land reform was a major undertaking for the Republic, addressing one of the most complex issues. Agriculture was the main sector of the economy. The reform aimed to solve the old problems of agriculture, pursuing three objectives:
- Distribution of property among peasants to reduce social conflict in the countryside and gain support for the Republic.
- Diminishing the economic power of large landowners, who were mostly opposed to the government.
- Increasing agricultural production and raising income levels and consumption of farmers to stimulate industrial activity.
There were two approaches: the Republican, which sought to respect private property and direct it to growers, and the more socialist, advocating expropriations with less compensation. The agrarian problem was structural, with millions of farmers living below subsistence level, posing a potential danger to the Republic. The resolution of this problem was crucial to the Republic’s prestige, credibility, and survival.
Process
In March 1932, Parliament began discussing the draft Law of Agrarian Reform, which was adopted after overcoming resistance from the right. The Land Reform Act stipulated the expropriation without compensation of those involved in the Sanjurjada, considering them employees, and compensation for semi-abandoned lands leased for a long time or occupying more than one-sixth of a municipality and belonging to one owner. The IRA (Institute for Agrarian Reform) was established to implement these measures. The IRA confiscated land and passed it to Provincial Boards, who then allocated it to farmers who had previously decided on their individual or collective farm. The reform faced many problems.
Result
The land reform of 1932 ultimately disappointed and irritated both day laborers and landowners. The practical results of the Agrarian Reform Law were disappointing.
Causes of Failure:
- The complexity of the law and the slowness of its application.
- The lack of budget.
- The opposition of the owners.
Social Consequences:
- Increased social tension.
- Owners joined the opponents of the Republic.
- The frustration of the peasants who had placed their hopes in the Republic.
- Occupancy of farms and farmers fighting the Civil Guard.
b) Reforming the State: Problems, Process, and Outcome
Approach
The government tried to solve the old problem of Spain’s structure, which had worsened with the emergence of nationalism. During the Conservative governments, a centralized state model had been consolidating, originating with the Catholic Monarchs and culminating in the decrees of Nueva Planta.
Process
The climate of freedom following the proclamation of the Republic gave new impetus to nationalism. In response to the growing demands of Catalan politicians, the Republic agreed to hold a plebiscite in Catalonia to grant the region its coveted status of autonomy. This statute was approved in a referendum by a majority. The first Catalan Parliament elections gave victory to Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, and Macià was elected president of the Generalitat.
Result
Radical Spanish nationalism reacted with great virulence. The Basque Country also conducted similar efforts in search of greater self-government, but the problems there were more difficult to overcome.