Spain’s 1931 Constitution: A Progressive but Contested Document
The 1931 Spanish Constitution
Origins and Context
The 1931 Constitution, drafted by a commission led by Jimenez de Asua and appointed by elected members following the June 28, 1931 elections, represents a pivotal moment in Spanish history. This document, created in Madrid, the capital of the newly established Second Republic, aimed to define the legal and political nature of the state.
The Second Republic was proclaimed on April 14, 1931, in Eibar, after King Alfonso XIII temporarily suspended his powers and went into exile. Niceto Alcalá Zamora served as president, and following the June 1931 elections, a coalition of Republicans and Socialists came to power. Manuel Azaña, leader of Republican Action, emerged as a key figure in this leftist Republican movement.
Key Provisions and Principles
Approved on December 9, 1931, the Constitution established a framework for a republic based on freedom, justice, and popular sovereignty (Article 1). It enshrined equality before the law (Article 2) and granted universal suffrage to men over 23 and, for the first time, to women (Article 36). The Constitution also declared Spain a non-confessional state, with no official religion (Article 3), and outlined the process for establishing autonomous regions.
The Road to the Republic
The Constitution emerged as a response to the political climate following the 1923 dictatorship. Factors such as corruption, political marginalization, and the dictatorship’s eventual failure to address the country’s problems contributed to growing calls for change. While the dictatorship achieved some successes, such as resolving the Moroccan conflict, its temporary nature became increasingly apparent. Politicians, intellectuals, and even members of the military began to advocate for a new regime.
Primo de Rivera’s resignation in January 1930 marked a turning point. Subsequent governments attempted to revert to the political forms of the Restoration, but the monarchy’s association with the dictatorship undermined these efforts. The municipal elections of April 12, 1931, effectively served as a referendum on the monarchy.
The Republic’s Arrival and Aftermath
The Republican-Socialist victory in the June 1931 elections paved the way for the Republic’s establishment on April 14, 1931. The new government prioritized drafting a constitution, which was ultimately approved in December of that year. The Constitution’s progressive and democratic nature aimed to address historical injustices. However, it faced opposition from Catholic sectors due to its religious stance and from centralized forces due to its provisions for autonomy.
Under Prime Minister Azaña, a period of reforms began in military, religious, agricultural, social, and educational spheres. Despite being well-intentioned, these reforms were often implemented awkwardly, leading to resistance from the Church, the army, landowners, and even some peasants and workers who were dissatisfied with the pace of change. This discontent, fueled by unemployment and poor living conditions, pushed some towards more radical positions.
The Fall of the Monarchy
King Alfonso XIII tasked General Berenguer with restoring constitutional normality, but Spanish society, particularly in urban areas, had evolved beyond the monarchy’s control. The loss of trust in the king, coupled with rising republican sentiment, made a return to the pre-dictatorship status quo impossible. The Pact of San Sebastian, signed in August 1930, solidified the Republican parties’ commitment to establishing a republic.
A revolutionary committee was formed to plan the transition, initially through a military uprising with civilian support. The planned December 15 insurrection failed due to lack of coordination. The announcement of Republican, Socialist, and non-dynastic political figures’ participation in the February 1931 legislative elections led to Berenguer’s resignation. His successor, Admiral Aznar, called for municipal elections on April 12. These elections became a de facto plebiscite on the monarchy, and the Republican-Socialist coalition’s victory in major cities signaled the end of the monarchy and the dawn of the Republic.