The Conservative Biennium in Spain: 1933-1935
The Conservative Biennium (1933-1935)
1933 Election: The Right-Wing Government
The general election took place on November 18th, and women could vote. The left-wing presented itself disunited, with Republicans and Socialists facing social conflicts, while the right-wing presented itself organized. The victory went to the united center-right parties, marking a two-year period known as the “Biennium for the Black Left.”
Two major political forces emerged: the Radical Party of Lerroux and the CEDA, led by Gil Robles. The Republic’s President was Alcala Zamora.
The Stagnation of Reforms
The new government, chaired by Alejandro Lerroux, began paralyzing part of the land reform. He tried to pass a budget reform related to religious worship and the clergy. As for the army, an amnesty was passed. The courts paralyzed the discussion of the Basque Statute project, which earned the central government the enmity of Basque nationalists.
The “Biennium of the Left” had resulted in a radicalization of the PSOE and the UGT. There were strikes and conflicts, especially in 1934.
The Rabassaire Conflict in Catalonia
The Government of Catalonia was in the hands of the Republicans of the Left. None of Lerroux’s counter-views were accepted in Catalonia.
After numerous discussions on the Rabassaires’ issues, the Catalan Parliament passed the Law of Cultivation Contracts, which guaranteed the Rabassaires access to land ownership of the land they worked.
The central government did not accept the installation of the Catalan government, and after its abolition in September 1934, it again passed a nearly identical law. This highlighted the major political and social differences.
The Revolution of October 1934
Facing working-class mobilization, the CEDA claimed a more forceful action by the executive in order and demanded to participate directly in the government. The Left interpreted the entrance of the CEDA into the government as a drift towards fascism.
The day after the formation of the new government, the UGT called for a general strike to prevent the consolidation of the new government. The movement failed nationwide.
In Asturias, the miners staged a social revolution, following an agreement among anarchists, socialists, and communists.
Finally, the government sent the Legion from Africa, led by Francisco Franco, to quell the revolt. The repression was very tough.
In Catalonia, the rebellion had the support of the President of the Generalitat, Lluís Companys, who wanted to avoid the entrance of the CEDA into the government. Companys proclaimed the Catalan Republic within the Spanish Federal Republic. There were strikes, and the government declared a state of war in Catalonia. The army, commanded by Batet, occupied the Palace of the Generalitat.
Second Biennium Crisis
Following the October Revolution, the CEDA increased its influence in the government, favoring the rigorous application of sentences and a reorientation of government policy. Properties were returned to the Jesuits. Jose Maria Gil Robles was appointed Minister of War, and Franco was appointed Head of the General Staff.
In Catalonia, the *Estatut d’Autonomia* was suspended, and the Law of Cultivation Contracts was finally annulled.
In the autumn of 1935, a strong government crisis erupted. Following scandals of corruption, such as the *Estraperlo* (a roulette scandal involving bribes, where Shaver attempted to implement various casinos in Spain), it was decided to call new elections in February 1936.