Agrarian and Labor Reforms in Spain: A Historical Analysis
Agrarian Reform in Spain
Background
An economic crisis intertwined with a social crisis formed the backdrop for agrarian reform. Limited assistance was available. Workers in the fields faced precarious employment conditions and were vulnerable to dynastic elements, particularly in Andalusia, Extremadura, and Castilla La Mancha. The government intervened to mitigate the crisis and bolster the industrial sector.
Measures
Land reform was implemented through several key measures:
- Expropriation without Compensation: Large estates belonging to the traditional nobility were seized without compensation if their acquisition lacked justification.
- Expropriation with Compensation: Estates were expropriated with compensation if their purchase was documented but the land was being misused. Misuse included uncultivated lands, poor irrigation, or extensive livestock farming.
- Land Division: Expropriated land was divided based on established criteria. Land was divided into lots and distributed among workers. Dry land lots were smaller than irrigated land lots. Cheap loans were offered to workers to facilitate the exploitation of these lands.
Implications
Many landowners attempted to halt the expropriation process through legal means, hoping that a change in government would reverse the reforms. By 1933, after approximately one and a half years, 120,000 hectares had been expropriated and 32,500 laborers relocated.
This led to confrontations between landowners and the government. Anarchists felt betrayed by the government, leading to violent protests and general strikes.
The scope of agrarian reform was limited due to administrative and legal obstacles.
The labor movement, particularly radical anarchists, instigated revolutionary strikes. Landowners, inspired by General Sanjurjo, revolted against Azaña, who perceived it as a revolution led by Sanjurjo.
Labor Reform in Spain
Background
Labor reform was a key initiative of Azaña’s government. Largo Caballero, as Minister of Labor, aimed to improve the lives of the proletariat through short-term and long-term programs. The goal was to enhance working conditions and gain the support of the working class, solidifying Largo Caballero’s position.
Actions
- Legislation was enacted to establish an 8-hour workday.
- The right to strike was remodeled, but anti-leftist laws were also implemented.
Implications
The labor reform, while favorable to workers, imposed obligations on employers, leading to discontent. Amidst an economic crisis, the labor reform exacerbated social unrest, resulting in strikes and protests.
The labor reform, intended to attract support for the government, instead fueled labor unrest and strikes, further destabilizing the economy. This deepened the economic crisis and fostered mistrust among landowners towards the government, who perceived the workers gaining an advantage.