The Second Spanish Republic: Triumph and Tragedy

The Dawn of the Republic (1931)

Following the municipal elections of April 12, 1931, the Republican-Socialist coalition achieved victory in major Spanish cities. King Alfonso XIII abdicated and left the country, leading to the proclamation of the Second Republic on April 14, 1931. This proclamation carried the weight of centuries of Spanish problems, with the masses believing the Republic would provide solutions. The provisional government comprised diverse groups: Republicans, conservative Catholics, liberal republicans, Catalan and Galician nationalists, and socialists.

Before the 1931 constitution was enacted, Prime Minister Manuel Azaña initiated reforms targeting the army. These included reducing the number of officers, disciplining troops, abolishing courts of honor and military courts, and establishing the Assault Guard to counterbalance the Civil Guard. The June 1931 elections resulted in a majority for the governing coalition.

The Constitution of 1931

The new constitution established popular sovereignty, division of powers, universal suffrage, labor rights, and transformed private property into a public entity. It also introduced decentralization, allowing Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Galicia to draft autonomy statutes.

The Reformist Biennium (1931-1933)

This period began with Niceto Alcalá-Zamora as President of the Republic and Manuel Azaña as Prime Minister. The government’s primary goal was to transform Spanish society through land, labor, and educational reforms.

Land reform, a flagship initiative, aimed to address the demands of landless laborers. However, its focus on southern estates and bureaucratic delays led to land seizures and conflicts with landowners.

Labor reform, led by Largo Caballero (UGT), introduced benefits previously exclusive to industry and services, such as maternity leave, retirement, and vacations, improving workers’ quality of life.

Educational reform, spearheaded by Marcelino Domingo, sought to create a unified, public, secular, and free education system to combat illiteracy.

In August 1931, a failed coup led by General Sanjurjo highlighted growing right-wing influences. Meanwhile, the Casas Viejas incident, where libertarian communism was proclaimed and harshly suppressed, contributed to Azaña’s fall from power. The Radical Party, led by Alejandro Lerroux, and the CEDA (Confederation of Autonomous Spanish Right) gained prominence.

The Radical-CEDist Biennium (1933-1936)

The CEDA’s electoral victory, though short of an absolute majority, forced a coalition government with the Radical Party. This period aimed to dismantle the previous reforms. Statutory projects for Catalonia and the Basque Country were suspended.

The appointment of CEDA ministers in October 1934 triggered unrest on the left. In Catalonia, Lluís Companys declared a Catalan state, while Asturias experienced a two-week revolution. The revolution failed elsewhere. Catalan autonomy was suspended, Companys imprisoned, and Asturias subdued by General Franco.

Amidst political turmoil, Alcalá-Zamora dissolved the Cortes, leading to elections in February 1936.

The Popular Front and the Onset of Civil War (1936)

The 1936 elections saw the emergence of two blocs: the Popular Front (left-wing coalition) and the National Front (right-wing coalition). The Popular Front’s victory brought Azaña back to power, followed by Casares Quiroga. An amnesty for the 1934 revolutionaries was granted, and Azaña’s reforms were reinstated.

Growing social violence, fueled by Falangist gunmen and armed militias, weakened the government’s authority. The assassination of Lieutenant Castillo by Falangists and the subsequent assassination of Calvo Sotelo (right-wing leader) provided the pretext for the military uprising on July 18, 1936, marking the beginning of the Spanish Civil War.