Spain’s Second Republic: From Hope to Civil War (1931-1936)
The Republic II: Item 8 / Introduction: In early 1931, a dual political process occurred: Republicans reorganized after the Jaca failure, and monarchist forces divided.
After much hesitation, Admiral Aznar’s government called municipal elections for February 18, 1931, in 12 districts. This marked the end of the monarchy and the first step towards the Republic. Republicans, in coalition with the Socialists, turned this election into a plebiscite against the monarchy. The Republicans’ triumph in big cities ignited popular joy and led to Alfonso XIII’s resignation. The Republic was proclaimed on April 17, 1931. The King went into exile, and the provisional government, headed by Niceto Alcalá Zamora, proclaimed the new regime from the Puerta del Sol.
Establishment of the Second Republic and the Provisional Government: The revolutionary committee became the caretaker government, reflecting the Pact of San Sebastián and encompassing almost all political viewpoints. This provisional government launched two initial tasks: measures for electoral reform and the convening of a constituent assembly. Reform measures included laws to improve the peasantry’s situation, such as the municipal area decree, which forbade evicting peasants from their land. Labor standards were generally modest but were rejected by landowners. Educational and military reforms were also implemented. To maintain public order, new assault guards (police) were created, opposed by a sector of the army and the upper class, who saw them as a threat to their interests. However, the government clashed most significantly with the Church, which resisted the idea of a secular state. From April 31st, the situation was complicated by three problems:
- The Catalan Question: On April 14th, the Catalan Republic was proclaimed in Barcelona. A provisional regional government, the Generalitat, was established.
- The Burning of Convents: The government abolished compulsory religious education, leading to the burning of several religious buildings. The government was accused of complacency with the violence.
- Social Conflict: Anarchists promoted major strikes in Seville, leading to clashes with the army and dozens of soldiers killed.
The Constitution was written in 1931, establishing national sovereignty, a unicameral parliament, a non-denominational state, rights and freedoms, and autonomy.
2nd Reformist Biennium (1931-1933): President of the Republic: Alcalá Zamora; President of the Government: Azaña. Reforms included:
- Land Reform: The most important due to agriculture’s role in the Spanish economy. It had two goals: to alleviate the misery of the Spanish peasantry and modernize the economy. Two projects were proposed: the Republican (respecting private property and compensating landowners) and the Socialist (with more expropriations). The Republicans prevailed. Results were limited, and social tension increased.
- Decentralization of the State: Attempts were made to solve the old problem of Spain’s structure. The right to autonomy had been recognized in the 1931 Constitution. The government recognized the Generalitat as an autonomous entity and began preparing the autonomous statute, approved in 1932.
- Military Reform
- Religious Issue: Along with land reform, this was the most influential factor in the Second Republic’s development. The Republican government aimed to limit the Church’s influence and secularize society. The religious issue turned out to be the Republic’s greatest source of opposition.
- Social Reforms: Aimed to improve working conditions: reduction of working hours, extension of social security, among others.
- Education Reform: Promoted mixed, secular, compulsory, and free education, with the state guaranteeing the right to education for the entire population.
Problems: The religious issue and relations with the Church; popular discontent; division of the working class; slow implementation of agrarian reform, leading to peasant impatience, farm occupations, and anarchist uprisings. The social coalition faltered. The Azaña government ended, and elections were held in November 1933.
3rd Conservative Biennium (1934-1936): The right-wing, united under CEDA, won the election and supported Lerroux’s appointment. The Republic shifted to the right, implementing counter-reformist measures against the working class, who threatened a radical, revolutionary general strike if CEDA ministers entered the government. Following the announcement of three CEDA ministers joining the government, the workers’ insurgency began: the October Revolution of 1934. In Catalonia, a Catalan state was proclaimed but failed. The government declared a state of war, and a former general was tasked with ending the revolution in Asturias. In October 1935, Azaña called for the union of the left to take power from the right, leading to the creation of the Popular Front. A government crisis ensued.
4th Popular Front: The Popular Front won the election. Spanish politics became sharply divided into two opposing blocs. Rumors of a military coup to end the Republic circulated.
Conclusion: The Republic was a period of attempted major reforms, such as women’s suffrage and land reform. However, these were barely carried out due to political instability. The Popular Front phase saw a radicalization of positions, ultimately leading to the Civil War.