Spain’s Second Republic: Reform and Reaction (1931-1936)
The Reformist Biennium (1931-1933)
From April 14, 1931, to November 19, 1933, the government of the Second Spanish Republic was primarily led by centrist and left-republican coalitions.
Elections were called for June 28, 1931, marking the beginning of significant reforms. Key initiatives focused on improving education, addressing rural issues, modernizing the army, and redefining relations with the Church.
Key Reforms and Initiatives
- Agrarian Reform: Aimed at distributing land, especially arable land, to landless peasants. It included an 8-hour workday for agricultural laborers and municipal privileges for workers on communal lands.
- Education: Significant investment led to the creation of 6,750 new school places, the hiring of 7,000 teachers, and the establishment of public libraries.
- Military: Reforms included early retirement incentives for officers, a reduction in the number of commands, and the creation of the Assault Guard (Guardia de Asalto) as a new urban police force.
- Church Relations: The Vatican initially urged bishops to respect the new political situation and maintain unity. However, tensions escalated, notably with the burning of convents in Madrid on May 11, 1931.
The Republican Constitution and Government
The elections of July 28, 1931, resulted in a victory for the left, while the right remained largely disorganized. The newly elected Cortes (parliament) was tasked with drafting a new constitution, which was adopted on December 9, 1931. This constitution reflected strong secular and leftist values.
The Constitutional Government (December 1931 – November 1933)
Niceto Alcalá-Zamora served as President of the Republic and instructed Manuel Azaña to form a government. This period saw the implementation of the Agrarian Reform Law, further military reforms, and the concession of the Statute of Autonomy to Catalonia.
The Agrarian Reform Law aimed at land distribution among farmers. While intended to address social inequality, it also alarmed many landowners, who perceived it as revolutionary. This led to significant opposition from Catholic groups and resulted in numerous social conflicts and attacks.
The Conservative Biennium (1933-1936)
During the Reformist Biennium, the Spanish right successfully reorganized itself. Two main groups emerged:
- A bloc opposed to the republican regime, comprising monarchists, Carlists, and fascists (such as the JONS).
- Another group, the CEDA (Confederación Española de Derechas Autónomas) led by Gil Robles, which sought to transform the Republic in a right-wing direction through parliamentary means.
The Socialists viewed Gil Robles as a fascist and threatened a social revolution if the right won the upcoming elections.
Elections and the October 1934 Revolution
The right won the 1933 general elections. Alejandro Lerroux led the new government, although in Catalonia, the Lliga Catalana had secured a victory.
A few months after the right’s triumph, the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party) and UGT (General Workers’ Union) began preparing an armed insurrection, intended to be accompanied by a general strike. The primary catalyst for this revolt was the entry of three CEDA members into Lerroux’s government. Leftist parties identified CEDA with fascism and feared that Gil Robles would seize power.
The UGT called for a general strike, but the CNT (National Confederation of Labor) did not fully join. The revolution largely failed due to the deployment of the Army of Africa, which brutally suppressed the Asturian miners’ revolt, a key focus of the uprising. Other centers of the strike were also quickly brought under army control.
Catalonia During the Conservative Biennium
Following the death of Francesc Macià, Lluís Companys was proclaimed President of the Generalitat de Catalunya. Catalonia experienced significant social tension in both rural and industrial sectors. The Lliga Catalana withdrew from the Catalan Parliament from January 1934 until October 1st.
Throughout 1934, the Law of Cultivation Contracts was adopted. This law stipulated that farmers who had cultivated land for over 18 years could purchase it, or secure a 6-year lease if they did not wish to buy. The general strike declared on October 5th and the entry of three CEDA ministers into the Lerroux government the following day provoked a strong reaction. On the evening of October 6th, Lluís Companys proclaimed the “Catalan State within the Spanish Federal Republic” in protest.
Consequently, the Statute of Autonomy was suspended, and the Generalitat government was imprisoned, with Companys sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Achievements of the Generalitat (Despite Short Duration)
Despite its short duration, the Generalitat made important achievements:
- Creation of statistical services and deposit boxes.
- Promotion of cooperatives.
- Establishment of the Institute against Forced Unemployment.
- Construction of new hospitals and implementation of vaccination campaigns.
- Creation of mixed-gender public schools.
- Improvements in the status of women.