Catalan Republic: Political Dynamics and Events

Posted on Mar 30, 2025 in International Relations

The Catalan Republic: Key Differences with Spain

Model Development and Political Dynamics

Distinct ideological models shaped the Catalan Republic: Catalan nationalism, republicanism, and anarchism.

The Elections and Proclamation of the Republic

  • ERC’s victory in the municipal elections on April 12th.
  • Lluis Companys proclaimed the Catalan Republic in Barcelona.
  • Francesc Macia proclaimed the Catalan Republic as a member state of the Iberian Federation.
  • Creation of the Generalitat de Catalunya (provisional).
  • Three ministers from the Provisional Government of the Republic traveled to Barcelona.
  • Study of territorial division.
  • Elaboration and adoption of the Statute of Nuria (September 9th, 1932).
  • New Parliament of Catalonia (November 20th): ERC, with Macia holding an absolute majority, was elected President of the Generalitat.

Catalonia’s Autonomy: October 1936

Developments Until July 1936

The political climate became increasingly tense after the right-wing victory in the Spanish elections of November 1933. The Rabassaires formed a union with strong demands. In response, the government approved the Law of Cultivation Contracts (1934), which protected and benefited the Rabassaires. The Parliament of Catalonia approved the Law of Cultivation Contracts in April 1934, promoted by the Rabassaires. Despite its moderate nature, the Spanish Constitutional Court annulled the law, arguing that the Catalan Parliament lacked jurisdiction in social matters. Relations between the Spanish government and the Generalitat de Catalunya became strained. The Catalan question, including the transfer of powers and economic resources, was blocked. On October 6th, Lluis Companys proclaimed the Catalan State within the Federal Republic of Spain. This followed movements by the right-wing promoting a military coup to halt economic, social, and national transformations, as well as democratic freedoms. The insurrection failed, and the Generalitat members were imprisoned. The Generalitat was not restored until after the February 1936 elections, with Lluis Companys leading the Catalan Front (a version of the Popular Front that emerged across Europe in response to the rising fascism of the era). The Statute of Autonomy was suspended (a period known as the Black Biennium).

Political Developments During the Second Catalan Republic

  • Proclamation of the Catalan Republic within the Iberian Federation from the Government balcony on April 14th, 1931, by Francesc Macia.
  • Subsequent negotiations with the central government led to the drafting of the Statute of Nuria.
  • Opposition from Spanish politicians and some social sectors to Catalan autonomy created difficulties in processing the Statute, resulting in changes during its passage through the Spanish Parliament.
  • The Statute restored the Generalitat and key institutions (Presidency, Council, Parliament, and Court of Cassation), and the autonomous government achieved some legislative changes.
  • Macia’s death and replacement by Companys in 1933.
  • The events of October 1934, including the proclamation of the Catalan Republic within the Spanish Federation and the arrest of the entire Executive Board, with Companys at the forefront.
  • The freezing of Catalan autonomy until the 1936 elections.
  • The Left Front’s victory allowed for the recovery of autonomy and the continuation of social reforms until the final defeat during the Spanish Civil War.