Radical-CEDA Biennium & 1936 Elections: Rise of Popular Front
The Radical-CEDA Biennium and the 1936 Elections: The Rise of the Popular Front
The Radical-CEDA Biennium
The 1933 elections were the first in which women voted in Spain. It is believed that they voted massively for the right, and consequently, these elections were won overwhelmingly by right-wing parties. Lerroux’s Radical Party formed a government, albeit a very weak one. The radical reforms, supported by the CEDA, consisted of dismantling the policies and reforms of the previous biennium. Land reform was suspended, and military reform was paralyzed as retired military personnel resumed their positions. Clashes between the government and nationalist groups were constant, and the development of the Statute of Autonomy of the Basque Country was paralyzed.
The October Revolution of 1934
The October Revolution of 1934 is the most important event of this biennium. Radical labor groups (PSOE, PCE, ERC) convened a revolutionary general strike in October 1934. The strike was observed in all industrialized regions, but in Asturias, there was also an armed insurrection led by miners with revolutionary ideals. They managed to take control of the Oviedo Cathedral and fly the revolutionary flag. The government sent Franco to crush the rebellion. He brought Moroccan troops, regulars, and the Legion, which swept through the coalfields with brutal force, causing over 10,000 deaths and severe repression (30,000 prisoners).
Lead-up to the 1936 Elections
After these events, the radical government weakened, and the CEDA’s power increased, with several ministerial portfolios. Gil Robles became Minister of War and the strongman of the government, appointing Franco as Chief of Staff. A significant gap opened between the right-wing parties now in power and the left, defeated in October. Two major coalitions were formed:
- The National Bloc, led by Calvo Sotelo, was more conservative than the CEDA itself and sought to create an authoritarian state in the style of Italy.
- At the extreme right arose the Spanish Falange, founded by José Antonio Primo de Rivera, which would soon merge with the JONS. This was a fascist group that sought to seize power through violence.
The left formed the Popular Front, a coalition of parties ranging from the Republican Left (led by Azaña) to the PSOE and PCE. Even the CNT supported the front, hoping that a victory would lead to an amnesty for prisoners from the October Revolution.
The 1936 Elections
Finally, elections were held in February 1936. In an atmosphere of great tension, the two main groups, the Popular Front and the National Bloc (with CEDA), faced each other. The government, embroiled in the financial scandal of the black market (known as the “Estraperlo”), was greatly discredited and lost the election.
The Popular Front Government (February-July 1936)
The Popular Front won the election by a narrow margin. The masses opened the prisons and set political prisoners free. The Azaña government, consisting only of left-wing Republicans, quickly implemented the Popular Front’s program, resuming agrarian law and the statutes of autonomy, and granting amnesty to prisoners from October. However, the government was weak and was soon overtaken by events. The National Bloc, after its defeat, dedicated itself to supporting the military uprising being prepared by Sanjurjo and Mola. The left-wing parties engaged in armed clashes with right-wing gunmen.
Upon being elected President of the Republic in May 1936, Azaña attempted to appoint a socialist government headed by Indalecio Prieto. However, internal dissensions within the PSOE imposed the radical line of Largo Caballero, who refused to form a government. Azaña appointed Casares Quiroga, who presided over a weak government formed only by Republicans, unable to dismantle the military plot in motion. In June 1936, armed clashes culminated in the killings of Lieutenant Castillo and Calvo Sotelo. The latter served as a trigger for the military uprising that occurred on July 17-18, marking the beginning of the Spanish Civil War.