The Second Spanish Republic (1931-1936)
The End of the Monarchy
The dictatorship of Miguel Primo de Rivera ended in 1930 when he resigned due to the bad economic situation of Spain. Alfonso XIII wanted to re-establish the constitutional monarchy, but a set of politicians (Socialists, Communists, Nationalists, and Republicans) formed a coalition to turn Spain into a republic and expel Alfonso XIII. It was the Pact of San Sebastian, signed in 1930.
The king held municipal elections which took place on 12 April 1931. These elections were won by Republican forces and Alfonso XIII left Spain. So the Republic was proclaimed on 14 April 1931.
Provisional Government and Constitution of 1931
After the elections, a provisional government was established by the parties of the Pact of San Sebastian. This government was ruled by Niceto Alcalá Zamora, which held elections for a Constituent Assembly to write a republican Constitution for Spain. These elections were won by republican parties (Socialist Party and other leftist groups), which wrote the Constitution of 1931. This Constitution established that:
- Spain was a parliamentary republic (the President of the Republic was the head of the State, and the Prime Minister was the head of the Government).
- It recognized the autonomy of some regions (Catalonia, the Basque Country).
- Spain was a secular state.
- It granted a large amount of rights and freedoms.
- Spain became a workers’ democratic republic.
- Male and female universal suffrage was approved.
- There was a separation of powers.
Despite all these advantages, this Constitution was only made by leftist parties, so right-wing parties wanted to change it because it was not made by consensus.
Left-Wing Government (1931-1933)
After the approval of the Constitution, a new government was formed, led by Manuel Azaña. The President of the Republic was Alcalá Zamora. In these years, many reforms were introduced, such as:
- A statute of autonomy for Catalonia.
- Public education became free and compulsory (although religious education was banned).
- Large agricultural estates were expropriated and given to poor peasants (land reform).
- Businessmen had to negotiate wage conditions with the trade unions.
- The number of army’s officers was reduced.
However, this government was opposed by:
- The Anarchists (CNT and FAI).
- The Falange (a Fascist party, led by José Antonio Primo de Rivera).
- The CEDA (Confederación Española de Derechas Autónomas, ruled by José María Gil Robles).
Moreover, there were serious incidents in rural areas, such as Casas Viejas (Cádiz), where many Anarchist peasants protested against the government and Azaña ordered to kill them. Azaña was very criticized by many politicians because of this and he finally resigned and held new elections in 1933.
Right-Wing Government (1933-1935)
In November 1933, elections were held and they were won by conservative parties (CEDA and the Radical Party). The new conservative government was formed by the Radical Party and it had the support of the CEDA. One of the most important events happened in October 1934, when a revolution broke out (Revolution of 1934) to bring down the Republic’s conservative government and establish a Communist system in Spain. This Revolution was focused on Asturias, where a severe strike took place, and Catalonia, which proclaimed itself an independent state. The army, led by General Francisco Franco, finally intervened and suppressed these uprisings in Asturias. After these events, the government carried out a harsh policy and abolished the autonomy of Catalonia, so the previous government’s reforms were suspended. This right-wing government had to resign due to some corruption scandals and held new elections for February 1936.
The Popular Front Government (1936)
All the leftist parties joined together in the Popular Front for the elections of 1936 (Communists, Socialists, Republicans, and some Anarchists) and it won them. The Falange, the Fascist party led by José Antonio Primo de Rivera, achieved a good result. The new leftist government re-established the reformist policy and set Revolution of 1934’s prisoners free. Alcalá Zamora was deposed and Azaña replaced him as President of the Republic.
However, the situation on the streets was getting worse: strikes, burning of churches, and clashes between Fascists and leftist people. In addition, some militaries, such as General Emilio Mola, began to plan a conspiracy to abolish the Republic. On 12 July 1936, right-wing gunmen killed Lieutenant Castillo, a leftist military. In response, Castillo’s partners killed José Calvo Sotelo, a conservative politician. This event led to the Spanish Civil War, which started on 18 July 1936.