The Spanish Second Republic (1931-1939)

Posted on Oct 22, 2024 in History

1. Proclamation of the Republic

The 1931 municipal elections saw a significant victory for Spanish Republican candidates in major cities, demonstrating a clear rejection of the monarchy and a desire to establish a Republic. Following these elections, the Republic was proclaimed in Eibar and many other cities, accompanied by peaceful demonstrations of citizen support. King Alfonso XIII relinquished royal power and went into exile on the same day, April 14th.

The Interim Government

Representatives of the parties that had signed the Pact of San Sebastian formed a provisional government composed of Republicans, Socialists, and regionalists. This government, operating from the Ministry of the Interior, claimed authority as the Republic’s governing body.

Initial Actions of the Provisional Government

• Convened Constituent Assembly elections.
• Implemented measures to address urgent issues, such as amnesty for political prisoners and establishing its legal status.
• Submitted its decisions to the scrutiny of future courts.
• Guaranteed union and political liberties.
• Appointed senior officials.

Later, the government took emergency action regarding the army (considered too monarchical), farmers (preventing expulsion from land), and the economic crisis and devaluation of the peseta.

A major initial challenge was the situation in Catalonia. Francesc Macià (ERC) proclaimed the Catalan Republic within a supposed Iberian Federation. However, the San Sebastian agreements had stipulated that the Constitution would determine the new state structure. Republican leaders offered Catalonia provisional self-government (Generalitat), an agreement later ratified by Alcalá Zamora.

2. The Constitution of 1931

Election of Members of Parliament

The Republican-Socialist coalition achieved a significant victory in the elections, with strong representation from workers and nationalist members (ERC and Basque-Navarrese). The Cortes (parliament) established a committee to draft a progressive and democratic Constitution.

Characteristics of the Constitution

• Republic based on liberty and justice.
• State support for workers.
• Comprehensive autonomy for municipalities and regions.
• Division of powers: legislative (Cortes), executive (Council of Ministers, Prime Minister, and President of the Republic), and judicial (independent judges).
• Extensive declaration of rights and freedoms, including absolute equality and universal suffrage (women over 23 could vote).
• Declaration of a secular state with no officially recognized religion.
• Legalization of divorce and civil marriage.

3. The Economy in the 1930s

3.1 The Joint Proclamation of the Republic

The proclamation of the Republic brought hope for a more equitable distribution of income and wealth, but also mistrust between landowners and industrialists.

3.2 The Impact of the International Crisis

The Republic coincided with the global economic depression that began with the New York Stock Exchange crash in 1929. The crisis had a limited impact on the Spanish economy due to the low significance of foreign trade. The economy remained relatively isolated from the unfavorable international situation, although the agricultural sector and the export of minerals and their derivatives were affected.

From 1933 onwards, exports decreased, but less than in other exporting countries due to improved competitiveness resulting from the depreciation of the peseta.

3.3 The Internal Difficulties of the Economy

The immediate effect of the Republic’s victory was a worsening of business expectations due to fear of economic developments, leading to a collapse in private investment.

3.4 The Catalan Economy

The primary sector continued to lose population due to difficulties in modernization. The traditional textile industry stagnated, but new, more diversified activities and energy sources (electricity and oil) emerged. The economic crisis led to increased inflation and unemployment, becoming a serious problem.

In 1931, the Bank of Catalonia went bankrupt, leaving Barcelona’s financial center behind Madrid and Bilbao. Catalonia was excluded from the national financial system.

4. The Provisional Government and the Statute of Núria

4.1 Elections of 1931

The 1931 elections brought a dramatic shift in the social and political landscape, with increased support for republicanism and the left. The Catalan League lost its dominance to ERC.

Lluís Companys proclaimed the Republic from the Barcelona City Council, and Francesc Macià proclaimed the Catalan Republic from the Generalitat (Catalan sovereignty). Negotiations with the interim government led to the withdrawal of the Catalan State declaration and the formation of a provisional government (left-wing Catalan nationalist and republican) called the Generalitat (a medieval institution). This government began drafting a Statute of Autonomy.

4.2 Drafting the Statute of Núria

An expert committee convened in Núria in 1931 to draft the Statute. The committee produced a draft text that was approved by the Catalan government, councils, and various groups (including women). The majority of citizens approved the Statute in a referendum (99% in favor, with 75% voter turnout).

Key Features of the Statute of Núria

• Sovereignty resides in the people of Catalonia.
• Catalonia is an autonomous state within a federal Spanish Republic.
• Catalan is the official language.
• Possibility of joining a federation.
• Defines the powers of the Republic and the Generalitat of Catalonia in areas such as education, culture, police, health, public works, justice, and taxes.

5. The Statute of Autonomy of 1932

5.1 The 1931 General Election and the Statute’s Journey

The 1931 general election saw a triumph for ERC, strengthening its position regarding the Statute. Macià presented the Statute of Catalonia to the Parliament in Madrid.

Right-wing sectors opposed the Statute, organizing boycotts, demonstrations, and rallies. The Constitution, however, prevented the establishment of a federation, limiting the autonomy that could be granted to regions. This led to a long and difficult debate on the Statute’s approval.

5.2 Approval of the Statute

In 1932, the central government, Catalan representatives, and the opposition held discussions on the Statute. The government favored moderate autonomy, while Catalan representatives sought broader powers. The opposition advocated for a unified Spain.

The position of Prime Minister Manuel Azaña and the aftermath of the 1932 Sanjurjo coup ultimately influenced the Statute’s approval. The final text, approved in 1932, differed significantly from the Núria draft.

Key Features of the 1932 Statute

• Catalonia is an autonomous region within Spain with its parliament and government.
• Catalan is co-official.
• Reduced responsibilities compared to the Núria draft, with shared powers with the state.
• State retains control over public order, justice, and major powers.
• Catalan civil law and administrative arrangements (Court of Cassation of Catalonia).

6. Political Forces in Republican Catalonia

6.1 Restructuring of Political Parties

The Republican period saw a restructuring of political parties in Catalonia. Catalan nationalist parties (ERC and the League) gained significant influence, partly due to the weakness of the PSOE and the apolitical nature of the CNT.

State-wide parties had limited presence. The Radical Party held a centrist position, while Catalan Action, the Catalan Republican Party, and the Democratic Union of Catalonia were minor players.

Despite being right-wing, the League accepted the Republic’s legality and formed a conservative political platform with the support of industrialists and landowners. In 1933, it gained prominence in rural Catalonia.

ERC, founded in 1931, became the dominant force in Catalonia during the Republic, thanks to its progressive program, the charisma of its leaders, and the support of the petty bourgeoisie, peasantry, and urban proletariat.

6.2 Catalan Marxism

Catalan Marxism was fragmented into two main organizations: the Socialist Union of Catalonia and the Catalan Federation of the PSOE. Four communist groups also existed: the Bloc Obrer i Camperol, the Communist Party of Catalonia, the Left Bloc, and the Communist Left. In 1935, these groups merged to form the Workers’ Party of Marxist Unification (POUM). In 1936, the remaining groups formed the Unified Socialist Party of Catalonia (PSUC).

7. The Work of the Republican Generalitat

7.1 Post-Statute Period

Following the Statute’s approval, the interim government held parliamentary elections in 1932. ERC emerged as the victor, with the League as the main opposition. Companys became President of the Parliament, and Macià President of the Generalitat (until his death in 1933).

7.2 Macià’s Government

Macià formed a government with ministers from his party. His government implemented various measures:

• Created economic and statistical services.
• Established agricultural cooperatives and experimentation centers.
• Founded the Social Security Institute, Unemployment Insurance, and the Labor Council.
• Expanded education and culture by creating schools and universities (Autonomous University of Barcelona).
• Improved wages and labor conditions.
• Promoted coeducation, summer camps, popular libraries, archives, and museums.
• Normalized the use of Catalan (Pompeu Fabra dictionary).

8. The Left-Wing Biennium (1931-1933)

8.1 Azaña’s Government

The government, led by Manuel Azaña and supported by Republicans and Socialists, implemented reforms to modernize and democratize the state.

8.2 Army Reform

The government aimed to create a democratic and professional army. To achieve this, they:

• Reduced the size of the officer corps (1 officer for every 3 soldiers).
• Enacted the Law of Retirement, allowing officers who had not pledged loyalty to the Republic to retire with full salary.
• Removed some officers from their posts and reduced the number of military units.
• Closed the Military Academy of Zaragoza, considered a conservative stronghold.
• Replaced military regions with 8 functional divisions.
• Dissolved the Courts of Honor and the Supreme Council of Military Justice.
• Restricted the influence of the military press.
• Created the Assault Guard, a police force loyal to the Republic.

8.3 Religious Reform

The government aimed to reduce the influence of the Catholic Church and promote secularization. They implemented the following measures:

• Established freedom of religion and a non-confessional state.
• Eliminated the budget for worship and the clergy.
• Legalized civil marriage and divorce.
• Dissolved the Jesuit Order and nationalized its property.
• Passed the Law of Congregations (1933), limiting the property of religious orders and allowing for their dissolution if deemed a threat.

These reforms were met with resistance from Catholic sectors, who considered them an attack on religion. Convents were burned, and anti-republican campaigns were launched.

8.4 Educational and Cultural Reform

Education became a priority for the government. Their objectives were to promote liberal education and establish the state as the guarantor of the right to education. The education budget was increased by 50%, and more schools and teachers were hired. The government aimed to end the dominance of religious education and establish a mixed, secular, compulsory, and free education system.

Intellectuals supported campaigns to promote culture. Cultural missions were organized, and instructional groups were created to foster popular culture.

8.5 Labor Reform

The government passed the Labor Contract Law, regulating collective bargaining. They also approved the Mixed Juries Act, which recognized the power of arbitration in labor disputes. Social insurance was created, and working hours were reduced. These reforms led to discontent among employers and landowners.

9. The Conservative Biennium (1933-1936)

9.1 Causes of the Left’s Fall

Discontent among workers and farmers, coupled with the ideological resurgence of the right, led to the fall of the left-wing government. Azaña resigned, and Alcalá Zamora called for new elections.

9.2 Reorganization of the Right

Sectors affected by the Republic’s reforms, such as the Church, landowners, and employers, reorganized around new authoritarian and fascist organizations and parties. These included:

• Monarchist groups.
• CEDA (Spanish Confederation of the Autonomous Right), a traditional Catholic party led by José María Gil-Robles.
• Spanish Renovation, an Alfonsine monarchist party led by Calvo Sotelo, advocating for a coup.
• The Carlist Traditionalist Communion, which joined forces with monarchists and fascists.
• JONS (Juntas de Ofensiva Nacional-Sindicalista) and Falange (1933), founded by José Antonio Primo de Rivera (son of the dictator).
• EMU (Spanish Military Union), a clandestine right-wing military organization that played a role in the 1936 coup.

9.3 The 1933 Elections and the Right-Wing Turn

The 1933 elections saw a victory for the center-right coalition, marking a turning point in the Republic. The Radical Party, led by Lerroux, shifted from its populist stance to more conservative positions. CEDA, under Gil-Robles, became a significant force.

The new government, led by Lerroux with the support of CEDA, hindered land reform, restored the budget for worship and the clergy, and attempted to sign a Concordat with the Vatican to counteract religious reforms.

The army reforms were not reversed, but an amnesty was granted to those involved in the 1932 Sanjurjo coup and those who had collaborated with the Primo de Rivera dictatorship.

Educational reforms were maintained, but the budget was reduced, leading to conflicts with educators.

The government clashed with Basque nationalists and paralyzed the debate on the Statute of Autonomy for the Basque Country.

These reforms led to the radicalization of the PSOE and UGT. Francisco Largo Caballero (left-wing UGT) advocated for social revolution, while the more moderate sector, led by Prieto, defended collaboration with Republicans to stabilize the Republic and continue reforms.

Anarchists and radical PSOE members declared war against the new government, leading to strikes and conflicts.

CEDA hardened its stance, pressuring Lerroux until his government fell.

9.4 Catalonia: The Rabassaire Conflict

The Catalan government, still in the hands of ERC, clashed with the central government. In 1931, the central government aimed to support farmers and Rabassaires (tenant farmers) by reducing the rent they had to pay to landowners. The Rabassaires were grouped in the Unió de Rabassaires (affiliated with ERC), while landowners were represented by the Agricultural Institute of San Isidro.

In 1934, the Catalan government passed the Law of Cultivation Contracts, allowing farmers to access land ownership by working it and paying a fixed price to the owners. Some landowners sought the support of the League, which challenged the law before the Court of Constitutional Guarantees. The court annulled the law, but the Catalan government refused to accept the decision and re-approved an identical law.

This marked the first time a Catalan party requested arbitration from Madrid, highlighting the growing tensions between the Catalan government and the central government.

9.5 The October 1934 Revolution

The entry of CEDA members into the government triggered strikes organized by the UGT, primarily in major cities. The strikes failed due to poor coordination. The government declared a state of war.

In Asturias, a social revolution erupted, led by anarchists, socialists, and communists. Miners besieged Oviedo and formed patrols to defend the revolution. The government sent the Legion, under the command of Franco, to suppress the uprising, resulting in harsh repression.

In Catalonia, Lluís Companys proclaimed the Catalan Republic within a Spanish Federal Republic. The army, under General Batet, suppressed the proclamation, occupied the Palace of the Generalitat, and arrested Companys, his government, and Largo Caballero. The Law of Cultivation Contracts was annulled, many Rabassaires were arrested, and farmers were forced to pay rent.