The Rise and Fall of the Second Spanish Republic (1931-1936)
ITEM 8: The Second Republic
The Second Republic emerged amidst the international repercussions of the Wall Street Crash (1929) and the rise of political extremism in Germany and Italy, as well as the leftist Popular Front in France. The municipal elections of April 12 were perceived as a rejection of the Monarchy. On April 13, the Revolutionary Committee remained vigilant, uncertain of the government’s stance. Berenguer ordered Military Governors to accept the situation, Romanones declared the monarchy’s fall irreversible, and Cierva proposed resistance. On April 14, 1931, the Revolutionary Committee formed a Provisional Government, proclaimed the Second Republic, and Alfonso XIII departed for Marseille. The government’s composition reflected the union of political forces in the Pact of San Sebastián. It was a republican government under President Alcalá Zamora Niceto (Right Liberal Republican), tasked with convening constituent elections on June 28 and consolidating the Republic. Responding to social pressure for structural reforms, several ministerial decrees were enacted.
In the elections to the Constituent Cortes, the Republican-Socialist coalition secured a majority. The Cortes opened on July 14, 1931, under Julián Besteiro’s chairmanship. Discussions ensued, leading to the formation of a Constitutional Commission, which addressed issues like religious freedom, resulting in President Alcalá Zamora’s resignation. The Republican Constitution was adopted on December 9, 1931. Article 1 defined Spain as a “democratic republic of workers of all kinds,” asserting that authority “emanates from the people” and that sovereignty resides in the nation. It defined Spain as a “complete state,” using the term “provinces” or “regions” instead of “nationality,” and recognized Castilian as the official language nationwide, while acknowledging linguistic diversity. The declaration of rights was comprehensive, recognizing female suffrage and establishing culture as a primary state function. Power was vested in a unicameral Parliament (Cortes). A Constitutional Court was established, and Spanish nationality was recognized for people of Spanish origin living abroad. The new state adopted a pacifist orientation and accepted international law. The flag’s colors were amended. The constitution was promulgated on December 27, 1931.
In December 1931, the Bienio Progresista (Two Progressive Years) began. Manuel Azaña led a Republican-Socialist government, implementing a program of extensive reforms. Regarding the army, which suffered from “macrocephaly,” the military was required to pledge loyalty to the Republic. The Military Academy in Zaragoza was closed, and ranks were unified. These measures provoked the Sanjurjada, Sanjurjo’s uprising, on August 10, 1932. Addressing the religious issue, the Republic secularized social life to counteract the Church’s economic and social influence. This led to the burning of churches and convents across Spain, and the government expelled Cardinal Segura and the Bishop of Vitoria. Largo Caballero, Minister of Labor, spearheaded land reform to improve the conditions of peasants and workers. Ordinances approving municipal governance and the Agrarian Reform Law were enacted. However, practical results were disappointing, and workers became radicalized.
In Catalonia, the draft Statute of Autonomy was approved by Parliament on September 9, 1932. Elections resulted in a victory for the Esquerra Republicana. In the Basque Country, a Statute of Autonomy was adopted after the war began, and José Antonio Aguirre was elected Lehendakari. In Galicia, the statute was never approved. The Employment Contracts Act and the Mixed Jury system were passed for social reform. In education, a liberal and secular approach was promoted, provoking a strong reaction from the Church. Opposition to Azaña’s reforms led to the creation of organizations like Acción Española, the CEDA, Renovación Española, and the Traditionalist Communion. The nationalist and fascist JONS, created in 1931, later merged with the Falange Española. Some labor organizations adopted extremist positions, leading to armed confrontations between workers and law enforcement. Notably, there were instances of violence against landowners (slaughter of old houses).
Throughout 1933, the crisis and wear of the Republican-Socialist coalition government became evident. Azaña resigned, the President dissolved Parliament, and elections were called for November 1933. Center-right parties won, initiating the Bienio Conservador (Conservative Biennium). The Radical Party, not the CEDA, governed during this period to appease the left, which threatened armed revolt. This stage can be divided into two periods: the Radical government, formed by Lerroux, with parliamentary support from the CEDA. A Concordat was signed with the Holy See, which ultimately failed, and the municipal law was repealed. Conflict arose with the President of the Generalitat over the issue of “rabassaires,” and the Central Government also antagonized Basque nationalists. The Radical Party split into two factions, one led by Lerroux and Martínez Barrios, leading to the inclusion of CEDA ministers in the government after the “Intermediate Samper” period.
In 1934, the country became polarized between the derechas (right) and the izquierdas (left). The Radical Party occupied the center. The Republican Left and the Republican Union emerged in 1934. The entry of three CEDA ministers into the Radical government triggered the October Revolution of 1934. On October 5, a general strike occurred nationwide, and armed rebellions erupted in Madrid, with more serious uprisings in Asturias and Catalonia. The military government granted full powers to General Franco, who deployed legion troops, and a surrender was agreed upon on the 19th. The aftermath of the Revolution, particularly the events in Asturias, contributed to the depletion of the Radical-CEDA Biennium and shaped the two major coalitions that would face off in the 1936 elections. The anti-Republican right formed the National Bloc, and a rapprochement occurred between the left-wing, bourgeois, and working classes. Scandals involving corruption and the “black market” implicated Lerroux and his son, forcing their resignations. On December 30, Portela Valladares formed a bridge government committed to dissolving the Cortes and holding elections, a decree signed on January 7, 1936.
The left won in large cities and the southern provinces, while the right prevailed in the north and inland. Portela Valladares resigned, and Azaña was called to form a government. Generals suspected of conspiracy were sent to positions away from Madrid: Franco to the Canary Islands, Goded to the Balearic Islands, and Mola to Pamplona. Manuel Azaña was elected President of the Republic, and Santiago Casares Quiroga became President of the Government. The right wing became radicalized, and the Unified Socialist Youth was formed. After the elections, right-wing sectors concluded that only a military coup could prevent a socialist revolution. Following a failed first attempt on April 20, Mola took control of the conspiracy. The military coup was precipitated by the murder of an Assault Guard officer, Lieutenant Castillo, followed by the assassination of José Calvo Sotelo, leader of the National Bloc. On the afternoon of July 17, the rebellion began in Morocco, and the Government remained ineffective. Two days later, the Civil War had begun.