The Rise of Political Tensions in Spain (1933-1936)
Initial Reactions and Decline of the Republican-Socialist Government
The government’s supporters reacted swiftly, with the courts approving the Agrarian Reform Law and the Catalan Autonomy Statute. In Catalonia, Francesc Maciá’s Esquerra Republicana won the first autonomic elections. Despite this, the republican-socialist government weakened. The Casas Viejas incident, where the Civil Guard killed anarchist peasants, further destabilized the government, leading to new elections in November 1933.
The 1933 Elections and the Conservative Victory
The right-wing parties reorganized for the elections, forming three main groups:
- The Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Right (CEDA), led by Gil Robles and backed by the Catholic Church.
- Spanish Renovation, led by Calvo Sotelo, uniting the monarchists.
- Spanish Phalange, a fascist party led by José Antonio Primo de Rivera.
The left-wing parties remained fragmented, and the anarchists boycotted the elections. The conservatives, along with the Radical Republican Party and CEDA, won the elections. An anarchist uprising followed, resulting in over 100 casualties.
The Radical-Cedist Two-Year Period (1933-1936)
Lerroux formed a government with only members of his party, supported by CEDA. This led to a reversal of previous reforms:
- The agrarian reform was halted, and peasants were evicted.
- The military reform was stopped, and anti-republican figures like Franco, Goded, and Mola were appointed. Those involved in Sanjurjo’s 1932 uprising were pardoned.
- The government sought reconciliation with the Catholic Church.
- Educational reforms were halted, including mixed education.
- Confrontation with peripheral nationalisms intensified, with the Basque statute rejected and tensions rising with the Catalan Generalitat.
Radicalization of Political Confrontation
Amidst the international economic crisis and the rise of extremism in Europe, Spanish politics became increasingly radicalized:
Right Wing:
- CEDA attracted Catholic groups, with its youth wing (JAP) displaying fascist tendencies.
- Spanish Renovation, under Calvo Sotelo, became increasingly extremist and anti-democratic.
- Spanish Phalange merged with Ledesma’s JONS in 1934, forming a new fascist group.
Left Wing:
- Azaña’s Izquierda Republicana pursued reforms and alliances with the workers’ movement.
- PSOE, led by Prieto (moderate) and Largo Caballero (radical), underwent radicalization.
- PCE sought alliances with center-left groups against fascism.
- CNT remained committed to revolutionary action.
- Ongoing conflict with the government pushed Companys’ Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya leftward.
The October 1934 Revolution
The inclusion of CEDA ministers in the government in October 1934 triggered a general strike by the left. The movement failed in Madrid but saw varying levels of support elsewhere:
- In Barcelona, Companys led an insurrection with an independentist character, which was crushed by the army.
- In Asturias, the strike evolved into a revolution organized by UGT and CNT, leading to brutal repression by Franco’s Legion.
The October Revolution resulted in over 1,300 deaths, twice as many wounded, and 30,000 imprisoned, including Companys, Azaña, Prieto, and Largo Caballero.
Aftermath and the 1936 Elections
The government suspended Catalonia’s autonomy and implemented a counter-reformation of agrarian laws. Internal divisions grew between the Radical Party and CEDA. The Straperlo corruption scandal discredited Lerroux and the Radical Party. New scandals led to the end of the legislature and new elections in February 1936.
The 1936 Elections and the Popular Front
In a radicalised atmosphere the following candidatures were presented for the election:
o Popular Front: electoral pactformed in 1936 by Izquierda Republicana, PSOE, PCE, POUM (Partido Obrero de Unificación Marxista) and Esquerra Republicana de