Second Republic and Civil War: Origins and Phases

Posted on Mar 19, 2025 in History

The Second Republic

Following Primo de Rivera’s resignation, Alfonso XIII attempted a ‘soft dictatorship’ by naming Dámaso Berenguer as Prime Minister, aiming to control society without fully restoring the previous regime. This discredited the Liberal Party, the Conservative Party, and the King himself. The PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party) and anti-monarchical forces like the CNT (National Confederation of Labor) agreed to hold elections to proclaim the Republic, convene a Constituent Assembly, and draft a constitution. In Jaca, two captains prematurely revolted, but the government suppressed the uprising. In the April elections, Republicans won, leading to the King’s exile and the proclamation of the Second Republic.

A provisional government was formed by various parties, aiming to improve rural life, limit the power of the army and the church. The 1931 Constitution established a single-chamber parliament (Congress of Deputies) and granted the president significant power, including the ability to dissolve the courts and appoint the prime minister. The constitution included new rights and gender equality, child protection, and free and compulsory education. It permitted intervention in private property and nationalization of companies. The state ceased to pay the church, a contentious issue that led to Alcalá Zamora’s resignation and replacement by Azaña.

Phases of the Republic

Biennium of Reforms (1931-1933)

The Republican Party, in coalition with the PSOE, won the elections and attempted to implement a radical reform program, leading to numerous conflicts. The reforms can be divided into four areas:

  1. Education Reform: Establishment of mixed, secular, free, and compulsory public schools based on the ILE (Free Institution of Education).
  2. Military Reform: A law was created to allow military personnel who were not loyal to the Republic to retire, reducing the number of officers.
  3. Land Reform: The Basic Law of Agrarian Reform of 1932 aimed to settle a million peasants but failed to fully materialize due to resistance from landowners.
  4. Territorial Reform: Recognition of the right to decentralization to gain support from regional nationalisms.

These reforms displeased the army, leading to conspiracies. Civil marriage and divorce were legalized, and efforts were made to improve working conditions. A coup d’état attempt by General Sanjurjo failed. The church reorganized around the CEDA (Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Rights), and the Falange emerged. Unable to maintain the situation, the government called elections.

Biennium of the CEDA (1933-1936)

Led by Lerroux, the CEDA won the election but faced internal divisions. They halted and reversed the reforms undertaken by the Republic. The inclusion of three CEDA ministers radicalized anarchists and socialists, leading to a revolutionary uprising of miners in Asturias, which was suppressed by troops from Africa led by General Franco, resulting in hundreds of deaths. Lerroux’s party entered a crisis, and elections were called.

Popular Front (1936)

The Popular Front, a coalition of left-wing forces, united. The right-wing forces joined in the National Bloc. The Popular Front won the elections with a narrow margin, and Azaña was appointed president. The government resumed the reforms of 1931, starting with land reform. However, the Front began to fracture. In the spring of 1936, a cycle of action and reaction led to killings between extremists on both sides. General Mola managed to unify the right-wing forces, relying on the army. The assassination of Calvo Sotelo, leader of the right, in response to the murder of Lieutenant Castillo, triggered the uprising on July 18, 1936.

The Civil War

The Spanish Civil War had multiple causes:

  • Long Term: The restoration’s caciquismo (political bossism) and a liberal elite separated from the people, leading to radicalization.
  • Medium Term: A strong ideological divide between right and left, with some leaning towards extremism. Frustration due to unimproved living conditions for the working class. The usual intervention of the army in politics and distrust of the Republic. The church’s opposition to the Republic.
  • Short Term: The Popular Front’s victory and the assassinations of right-wing deputy Sotelo and socialist Lieutenant Castillo.