Spain 1936: Election, Conflict, and Conspiracy
Popular Front Program & Feb 1936 Election
International communism’s change of strategy dictated that policy should continue through the establishment of Popular Fronts. These involved an alliance of socialist and communist parties with bourgeois parties, united against a common enemy: fascism. The Popular Front project was implemented in Spain. As the government was embroiled in bribery and financial scandals, it called for elections on February 16, 1936. Republicans and Socialists prepared for the election by signing an electoral alliance, the Popular Front, which represented the left and much of the progressive forces. Its program emphasized the restoration of political reforms from the first biennium and the granting of an amnesty for prisoners of the Asturian miners’ strike of 1934. This program was socially reformist. Although the right managed to form alliances in many provinces, it lacked the sense of unity that had given CEDA victory in 1933. Two years of experience had taken their toll on the center-right, marked by disagreements and divisions. The left benefited from an election law that encouraged the formation of coalitions. Popular Front candidates defeated the center-right and comfortably won the absolute majority needed to govern.
Social Conflict
The election results triggered the first attempts at force among the losers. Political life was strained by proletarian radicalism and members of right-wing organizations leaving for extremist movements. The Falange multiplied its violent actions. Rumors of a coup provoked anti-militarism in the left-wing press, contributing to the climate of violence. The situation was further complicated when Congress decided to oust Alcalá Zamora from his position as president, replacing him in May 1936 with Manuel Azaña. Azaña had less capacity for action, as the executive functions were assigned by the Constitution to the head of government. During June and July, both the countryside and cities witnessed revolutionary agitation. On July 12, unknown gunmen assassinated Assault Guard deputy José Castillo. The next day, in retaliation, José Calvo Sotelo, leader of the parliamentary right, was assassinated.
Conspiracy Against the Popular Front Government
The Republic assigned General Mola to Pamplona, desiring to move military suspects away from Madrid. There he won over the armed wing of the Carlists and emerged as head of the conspiracy that royalist leaders had begun. Franco and General Goded were also plotting until they found the right moment. On July 17, 1936, the Melilla garrison revolted and declared a state of war in Morocco. From the Canary Islands, Franco flew to Tetouan to take command of the Army of Africa as the uprising was underway in the Peninsula. Within days, the failure of the uprising in Spain’s main cities meant that fighting between insurgent forces and those loyal to the government escalated into a civil war.