Spain 1936-1937: Political Crisis and War
Catalan Autonomy and Elections (Early Republic)
Under the Republican Government, the Statute of Autonomy was approved, marking the end of the provisional stage of the Generalitat. After this, elections were held in Catalonia.
Two coalitions were announced for the parliamentary elections: on one hand, the Republican Left, defending a progressive social model and moderate left policies; while the Lliga Catalana presented a conservative platform. Of these two, the victor was the Republican Left, while the Lliga consolidated its position as the main opposition party. Francesc Macià formed a government composed of his councilors. Finally, in 1933, the parliament approved the internal Statute.
The Popular Front Victory (July 1936)
The Popular Front’s return to power followed the 1931-1933 period. New elections were announced, where the Popular Front’s platform was particularly popular. They won more popular votes than other left-wing groups, leading to their return to power, supporting the reformist agenda. They returned to implement the reform agenda more forcefully, without the hesitation seen in the first biennium.
When news arrived that the Popular Front won the elections, thousands of peasants in Extremadura offered their support. They supported the government’s land policy: the same reforms as in 1933, but implemented with more firmness, independence, and speed. The Basque process for autonomy was also a key issue.
The Right: The Front of the Rights, presented as a league represented by F. Cambó. They lost the election and saw the reforms as radical: land for farmers, Basque country autonomy. The Right, seeing the radical reforms and fearing the direction of the Republic, decided to launch an insurrectionary coup, led by Emilio Mola, who headed the conspiracy. From the beginning, there was the idea of liquidating all party leaders, union members, and association members. Therefore, the uprising began on July 17-19 in Morocco, where mercenary soldiers were willing to do whatever was demanded.
Outbreak of the Spanish Civil War (July 1936)
On July 17, 1936, in Melilla, Colonel Yagüe took up arms against the Republic, and the insurrection spread on the 18th. Between July 18 and 19, Spanish military garrisons joined the coup, as did civilian sectors like Falangists and Carlists. On the 18th, General Franco headed towards the peninsula at the front of the Army of Africa.
On July 19, amidst popular outcry against the rebels, Casares Quiroga was replaced as head of government by José Giral, who decided to disband the army and deliver weapons to the militias of parties and unions. The popular resistance against the insurgency was widespread.
The coup succeeded in parts of Spain (Galicia, Andalusia, agricultural areas dominated by large and small property owners, and also very conservative areas like Seville and Zaragoza). But it failed where workers and leftist forces had a stronger presence, such as in industrial areas and the Basque Country.
The insurgents had prepared a statement that the military would seize government organs and declare a state of insurrection leading to war.
Failure of the Coup in Catalonia
General Goded was responsible for directing the military coup in Catalonia. Few Catalans had opted for the insurgency, and the parties directly involved, such as the Falange and Renovación Española, had little presence. The Lliga Catalana did not give support. However, the Catalan government (Generalitat), perhaps learning from the events of October 6, 1934, acted decisively. This facilitated the effectiveness of the government’s action, leading the resistance against the coup forces. But Goded was arrested and abandoned the fight.
May Events in Barcelona (1937)
In May 1937, a series of military failures reignited confrontation between Republican forces regarding the direction of the war and the revolutionary process. This confrontation highlighted two major problems for the Republicans.
Different factions held opposing views:
- Republicans, Communists, and part of the Socialists advocated for: organizing a powerful army, controlling collectivizations, and rebuilding the state.
- Anarchists advocated for: prioritizing the war effort, deepening collectivization, and consolidating revolutionary transformations.
These opposing ideas led to tensions that erupted in a violent confrontation on May 3, 1937.