The Second Spanish Republic and Franco’s Regime

Posted on Oct 30, 2024 in History

The Second Spanish Republic (1931-1939)

Establishment of the Republic

After the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, the Second Spanish Republic was proclaimed in 1931. It can be divided into three distinct periods:

  • The Reformist Biennium (April 1931 – November 1933): A period of left-leaning republican governments.
  • The Conservative Biennium (November 1933 – February 1936): A period of right-leaning governments.
  • The Popular Front (February 1936 – June 1936): A left-wing coalition government that faced a military uprising in July 1936, leading to the Spanish Civil War.

The Reformist Biennium (1931-1933)

Following the 1931 elections, a coalition government of left-wing republicans and socialists was formed, led by Manuel Azaña. This government implemented numerous reforms aimed at modernizing the state, including:

  • Constitution of 1931: Established popular sovereignty, regional autonomy, separation of church and state, freedom of speech, religion, and association, women’s suffrage, divorce, and civil marriage.
  • Secularism and Limiting the Power of the Church: Prohibition of religious teaching in schools, restrictions on the economic activities of the Church, and expulsion of the Jesuits.
  • Army Reform: Reduction in the number of officers and demands for loyalty to the Republic.
  • Land Reform: Expropriation of land from large landowners and redistribution to peasants.
  • Educational Reform: Construction of schools and establishment of free and compulsory secular primary education.
  • Approval of Catalan Autonomy: Granting of autonomy to Catalonia with the establishment of the Generalitat in 1932.

Franco’s Political Regime (1939-1975)

Characteristics of the Dictatorship

The Franco dictatorship was a conservative and Catholic regime in Spain, with similarities to Italian Fascism. It lasted from 1939 to 1975. The legal and political framework was based on seven Fundamental Laws. The main characteristics of the regime were:

  • Concentration of Power: Franco held absolute power as head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
  • Monarchy without a King: Franco designated Juan Carlos de Borbón as his successor in 1969.
  • National Unity and Centralism: Spain was considered a single, indivisible nation with a centralized government.
  • National Catholicism: Catholicism was the official state religion, influencing legislation and education.
  • Single Political Party: The Falange was the only authorized political party, led by Franco.
  • Vertical Unions: Mandatory membership in state-controlled unions for both workers and employers, with traditional trade unions banned.
  • Organic Democracy: Representation through family, unions, and other institutions, with limited elections.
  • Limited Individual Rights and Subordination of Women: Emphasis on traditional family values, with limited rights for women.
  • Spanish as the Only Official Language: Regional languages were suppressed.

Organization of State Powers

The Spanish state under Franco was organized as follows:

  • The Crown: Represented by the King, who was head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, but with limited power.
  • The Cortes Generales: The legislature, composed of the Congress of Deputies and the Senate, with limited representation.
  • The Government: The executive branch, responsible for enforcing laws, headed by the President and ministers.
  • The Judiciary: Composed of judges and magistrates, responsible for administering justice.

Autonomous Communities

After the transition to democracy, Spain established a system of autonomous communities. Each community has its own governing bodies with legislative powers, allowing them to create Statutes of Autonomy, which must be approved by the Spanish Cortes. Catalonia and the Basque Country were the first to gain autonomy, followed by other regions. All autonomous communities have institutions responsible for the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Governments After the Constitution of 1978

Following the adoption of the Constitution of 1978, several governments have held power in Spain:

  • UCD Government (1977-1982): Led by Adolfo Suárez and later Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo.
  • Socialist Government (1982-1996): Led by Felipe González.
  • Conservative Government (1996-2004): Led by José María Aznar.
  • Socialist Government (2004-2011): Led by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.