Second Spanish Republic: 1931-1936 Reforms and Constitution
The Second Republic: 1931-1936 Reforms and Constitution
On April 14, 1931, the Second Republic was proclaimed in Madrid, Barcelona, and other Spanish cities. The Republican victory in the municipal elections, called by Berenguer, led to the fall of the monarchy and the exile of King Alfonso XIII. A Provisional Government, chaired by Niceto Alcalá Zamora, was formed by party leaders who signed the 1930 Pact of San Sebastián.
The Constitution of 1931
In June 1931, Constituent Cortes were convened. A Republican-Socialist coalition won, and their primary concern was drafting a new constitution. Heated debates arose, especially regarding church-state relations, leading to the acceptance of separation between civil and ecclesiastical government. This caused a crisis, with some right-wing and Niceto Alcalá Zamora resigning. Manuel Azaña became head of the Cabinet. The Constitution, adopted on December 9, 1931, established Spain as a democratic secular state with universal suffrage, including women. It defined a strong central state but offered a channel for regional issues through Statutes of Autonomy. Alcalá Zamora was elected President, and Azaña was confirmed as head of government.
Reforms Across Society
The government implemented reforms in several areas:
Education
Azaña replaced religious teachers with progressive education supporters. Dissolving the Society of Jesus and prohibiting religious orders from teaching were aggressive moves, risking confrontation between the Catholic majority and the republican regime. In early 1933, around 10,000 new primary schools opened, demonstrating the government’s focus on education.
Military
The Republican-Socialist government tackled modernizing the army, which suffered from excessive controls, poor training, and outdated material. Azaña reduced officer numbers through early retirement, decreased military jurisdiction, suppressed the Zaragoza General Military Academy, and created the Assault Guards, a loyal and specially trained urban police force.
Agriculture
Perhaps the most important reform attempted was agrarian reform. Extensive estates in Extremadura and Andalusia awaited remedy. The reform aimed to distribute land among tenants and laborers, causing strong opposition from landowners. General Sanjurjo’s failed royalist uprising (August 1932) strengthened Azaña, who passed the Basic Law of Agrarian Reform. However, a lack of budget and land occupations hindered the reform’s success.
Social
Key social reforms included establishing the eight-hour workday and extending land leases.
Territorial
On September 9, 1932, Azaña pushed for the adoption of the Statute of Catalonia. He delivered a powerful speech to deputies, securing the vote. The Basque Country Statute was not adopted due to internal divisions.
Challenges and Consequences
These reforms faced social, political, and economic challenges, including negative economic conditions, the Andalusian anarchist uprising (Casas Viejas), the right-wing reaction (unified in the Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Rights), and the creation of the Falange party, led by José Antonio Primo de Rivera.
The 1933 elections saw a center-right coalition victory (Radical Party and CEDA). This government slowed down most of the Republican-Socialist reforms.