Spain’s Second Republic: From Monarchy to Civil War
The Fall of Alfonso XIII and the Second Republic
In 1930, Alfonso XIII’s system attempted to restore the constitutional order of the Restoration, but the monarchy was so discredited that republican groups began to unite to overthrow the king. They were joined by prominent intellectuals such as Miguel de Unamuno, José Ortega y Gasset, and Gregorio Marañón. Partisan political groups supporting the republic signed an agreement in 1930 (the Pact of San Sebastián), committing themselves to establishing a republic in Spain.
The Proclamation of the Republic
In April 1931, municipal elections were held across Spain, resulting in a victory for the Republican-Socialist coalition in major cities. King Alfonso XIII left the country, and on April 14th, the Second Republic was proclaimed.
Challenges of the New Regime
This posed the possibility of establishing a genuine democratic system of government in Spain. Several circumstances accompanied the implementation of the new regime:
- The electoral victory of the Republican candidates occurred in cities because the urban population was outside the influence of local caciques (political bosses). These traditional power brokers were defeated, and the system they maintained began to break down, although they still retained control in rural areas.
- The defeat of traditional political forces (monarchical, conservative, etc.) led to euphoria among the most radical republican groups. These groups waged a campaign of burning churches and monasteries, as they viewed the Church as an institution that had strongly supported the monarchy.
- For the first time in Spanish history, the elections were accompanied by a large mobilization of urban masses, which led to the politicization of everyday life.
Conservative Rule and the 1934 Crisis
The electoral defeat of the Left Republicans and Socialists in 1933 was accompanied by the victory of right-wing parties, most notably the CEDA (Confederación Española de Derechas Autónomas) led by Gil Robles. A coalition government supported by the right was formed, giving the Republic a conservative shift.
The Right-Wing Government (1933-1936)
Reforms from the previous period, such as land reform, were slowed down. Among left-wing parties and unions, including the PSOE, Left Republicans, UGT, and CNT, a strong feeling emerged that the Republic had been betrayed by the new government. This led to the Crisis of 1934:
- In several places across Spain, a revolution broke out, with the most significant events occurring in Asturias. This uprising was led by an alliance of socialists, anarchists, and communists, many of whom were miners. The government violently crushed this revolution using the Moroccan Army, led by General Francisco Franco.
- In Catalonia, there was also an uprising due to fears of losing the Statute of Autonomy, leading to the proclamation of ‘the Catalan State within the Spanish Republic.’ The army restored the conservative government’s authority in Catalonia.
Following the crisis, Spanish prisons filled with individuals involved in revolutionary movements. Finally, the right-wing coalition fractured due to corruption cases implicating government members, which came to light amidst growing political tension with unions and leftist parties.
The Popular Front and Escalating Tensions (1936)
Left-wing political parties united under the Popular Front coalition and won the elections in February 1936, defeating the right-wing parties, which had entered the elections divided.
The Popular Front’s Electoral Victory
This resulted in a left-wing government headed by Manuel Azaña, which, among other measures, decreed the release of political prisoners incarcerated following the 1934 crisis.
Political Instability and the Road to Conflict
For several months, the government attempted to continue the pending reforms. However, escalating social and civil conflict—including violent clashes, killings, and bombings involving Falangists, communists, and anarchists—created an atmosphere ripe for either a revolutionary explosion or a new military pronunciamiento (coup).
Faced with this volatile situation, the right-wing opposition, led by José Calvo Sotelo, had consistently opposed the Popular Front government. Calvo Sotelo was accused of inciting a military coup. His murder precipitated events, and a section of the army prepared a coup d’état.