Clara Campoamor’s 1931 Speech: Women’s Suffrage in Spain
Clara Campoamor’s Speech: Women’s Suffrage in Spain
This text is a transcription of a speech given in the Spanish Parliament. The author, Clara Campoamor, a lawyer and member of the Republican Radical Party, delivered this speech to convince deputies to allow women to vote and participate in the new constitution. This occurred on the 1st of September, 1931, marking the beginning of the Second Republic under the provisional government.
The Path to the Second Republic
In 1930, the main political parties of Spain met in San Sebastian to sign a pact to create a republican regime. The Aznar government organized new progressive elections. After Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship, municipal elections took place on April 14, 1931. The results showed that people were against the monarchy, preferring a republican system. King Alphonso XIII left the country, allowing the formation of a republican government. As the elections were not for the central government, a provisional government was established.
The Provisional Government and the New Constitution
As previously stated, the parties in favor of the Republic (Republicans and Socialists) won the elections. They formed a provisional government, and Niceto Alcalá Zamora was proclaimed President of the Republic. This provisional government focused on organizing and calling for new elections for the central government and drafting a new constitution, which was approved in December 1931.
The 1931 Elections and Reforms
The new elections took place on June 28 of the same year. The Republican and Socialist parties won again. From then on, there would be a President of the Republic (an honorary position) and a Prime Minister (the person in power). During this period, Alcalá Zamora was President of the Republic, and Azaña was Prime Minister. Furthermore, numerous reforms (including education, agrarian, and military reforms) were implemented to address the country’s problems.
Clara Campoamor and the Fight for Women’s Suffrage
This text transcribes Clara Campoamor’s speech concerning the Law of May 8, 1931, which would grant women the right to vote. At that time, although women could be deputies and members of the court, they could not vote. In her speech, Clara Campoamor encouraged deputies to approve her proposal, referencing the possibility of Spain being the first country to allow feminine vote. This law was particularly relevant to the constitution being drafted, as it was intended to be a progressive one with extensive freedoms and no official religion.
Controversy and Opposition
This law was highly controversial, with many opposed to it. Even female deputies like Victoria Kent opposed these reforms, believing it was too early to allow women to vote, arguing they were unprepared and uneducated, making them easily influenced. This was seen as potentially detrimental to the Republicans and Socialists, as the Church could influence women, potentially leading to a right-wing victory in the next elections. Initially, there was consideration to grant this right only to single women and widows who lacked representation.
The Aftermath and the 1933 Elections
Ultimately, the law was approved, and the 1933 elections were the first with female suffrage. The right-wing coalition won. Some argued this was due to the Church’s influence on women, while others maintained it was simply because they formed a coalition, as the left-wing coalition won in subsequent elections where women also voted.