Spain’s Second Republic: Formation, Reforms & Turmoil
The Second Spanish Republic: Dawn and Foundation
Social and Political Underpinnings
When King Alfonso XIII abdicated and left Spain, a provisional government was established, proclaiming the Second Spanish Republic on April 14, 1931. This government aimed to reflect the agreements reached at the Pact of San Sebastián. Key political forces supporting the new republic included the Radical Party, Radical Socialists, Socialists, and regionalist groups like the Catalan Esquerra and Galician ORGA (Organización Republicana Gallega Autónoma). The interim government summoned elections for the Cortes, which were to be Constituent Cortes. The election results granted a broad ideological spectrum access to the Cortes, with a majority of Republicans and Socialists.
The 1931 Constitution: Defining Features
The 1931 Constitution incorporated several key characteristics, making it a progressive document for its time:
- Title I, which approved autonomy statutes for regions, provoked heated debate.
- Article 1 defined Spain as a “democratic republic of workers of all classes” and established it as a secular (non-denominational) state.
- It outlined the rights and duties of Spanish citizens, including debates on issues such as the abolition of the death penalty.
- Its comprehensive collection of political, social, and legal reforms made it one of the most modern and progressive constitutions of its era.
- Article 26 specifically regulated relations between the State and the Church, leading to significant controversy and opposition from Catholic sectors.
Key Reforms and Achievements
Land Reform Initiative
An old aspiration of the peasantry, land reform was a central policy. The government’s approach involved the expropriation of large estates (latifundia) that did not fulfill a social purpose, aiming to redistribute land to peasants. This measure, however, created strong opposition to the Republic among landowners and was implemented slowly.
Labor and Employment Policies
Mixed juries (jurados mixtos) were created for labor dispute resolution. The Law of Municipal Boundaries (Ley de Términos Municipales) was established to address the recruitment of agricultural workers, giving preference to local laborers and aiming to improve their conditions and reduce unemployment.
Educational Advancements
Significant strides were made in education. Approximately 10,000 new schools were created, and a call for 7,000 teaching posts was announced to combat illiteracy and expand access to education. The Misiones Pedagógicas (Educational Missions) brought numerous theatrical performances, libraries, and musical activities to rural areas, promoting culture and learning.
Regional Autonomy Statutes
The Republic addressed demands for regional autonomy. In September 1932, the Statute of Autonomy for Catalonia was approved. The situation in the Basque Country (País Vasco) was more complex; an early draft, the Statute of Estella, was rejected by the Cortes for its traditionalist and confessional elements, and some Basque nationalist sectors remained opposed to the Republic’s secularism, delaying its autonomy statute until the Civil War.
Political Evolution and Turmoil
The Progressive Biennium (1931-1933)
This initial period, largely led by Manuel Azaña, saw the implementation of an extensive program of social and political reforms aimed at modernizing Spain’s structures. Key initiatives included modernizing the army (reducing its officer corps and political influence), implementing agricultural reform, advancing education, establishing a secular state, and reforming labor and social relations. Opposition to these reforms came from conservative sectors, including the Church, elements within the army, and landowners. These groups actively sought to destabilize the heterogeneous coalition government. Military unrest culminated in an unsuccessful coup attempt led by General Sanjurjo in Seville in August 1932 (the ‘Sanjurjada’). Violent clashes in Casas Viejas (January 1933), involving anarchist peasants and harsh repression by security forces, further eroded public confidence and created fissures within Azaña’s government, contributing to its fall.
The Conservative Biennium (1933-1935)
Right-wing political forces consolidated around the CEDA (Confederación Española de Derechas Autónomas). An electoral shift in the November 1933 elections brought conservative parties to power. CEDA‘s electoral success led it to support a government led by Alejandro Lerroux of the Radical Party. The political situation remained complex due to CEDA‘s internal heterogeneity and its demands for greater influence, including the reversal of earlier reforms. On October 4, 1934, Lerroux formed a new cabinet that included three CEDA ministers. This move triggered a widespread response from left-wing groups, who feared a shift towards authoritarianism. The UGT (Unión General de Trabajadores) and other leftist organizations called a general strike, which escalated into the Asturian miners’ revolt (Revolution of October 1934) and an attempt to proclaim a Catalan State. The consequences of these events were severe, including significant loss of life, widespread arrests, and harsh repression, leading to increased political polarization and government unpopularity. In late 1935, the ‘Straperlo’ scandal, involving corruption in the granting of gambling licenses, further discredited the government and sparked a political crisis. Lerroux resigned, and early elections were called for February 1936.
The Popular Front Era (1936)
The Popular Front, a coalition of left-wing and republican parties, won the February 1936 elections. The name itself signified this union of the left against the perceived threat from the right. Following its victory, one of the new government’s first actions was to grant amnesty and release prisoners detained after the October 1934 events. The political climate remained highly charged, with increasing social unrest, land occupations, and clashes between militants of the radical left and the totalitarian right (such as Falange Española). This escalating violence took a significant toll on social stability. Rumors of an impending military coup became widespread. Amid this tense atmosphere and persistent rumors of a coup, the assassination of prominent right-wing monarchist politician José Calvo Sotelo on July 13, 1936, by Assault Guards (acting in reprisal for the earlier assassination of an Assault Guard officer by right-wing extremists) served as a critical catalyst. This event precipitated the military uprising that began in Spanish Morocco on July 17 and spread to mainland Spain, marking the start of the Spanish Civil War.