Spain 1934-1936: Revolution, Elections, Popular Front
The 1934 Revolution, 1936 Elections, and the Popular Front
The reform program that took place between 1931 and 1933 under the Republican-Socialist coalition served to increase conflict and weaken the government’s work. This led to clashes between different ideologies, such as the Catholicism of Alcalá Zamora against the agnosticism of Manuel Azaña, the division of socialism into two trends (social democrat and trade unionist), and Lerroux’s centrism. This situation arose when the government faced opposition from two extremes.
The Right and Left Wing
Right: After overcoming the collapse experienced by the failure of Sanjurjo’s coup, the right-wing reorganized, establishing two initiatives: the CEDA, led by Gil-Robles, and more to the right, groups with an unparliamentary and anti-republican character, such as the Falange of Primo de Rivera and the JONS.
Left: Capitalized by the CNT, which led to the strike at the top of Llobregat, and the resignation of Azaña.
1933 Elections
Alcalá Zamora, therefore, called for elections in November 1933. CEDA won but hesitated to form a government alone and formed an alliance with the Radicals, with Lerroux ceding the Presidency of the Council of Ministers to them. The CEDA wanted to stop the reforms undertaken in the previous period, reversing land reform, pardoning Sanjurjo, approving the return of the Church, and rewarding generals like Mola and Sanjurjo.
The Rise of Hitler and New Government
With the rise of Hitler, the advance of the extreme right caused impermeable pressures that led Lerroux to appoint a new government in October 1934. The UGT called a general strike, which failed except in Asturias, where a revived uprising took the headquarters of occupied factories by the Civil Guard, proclaiming a socialist republic.
To combat this, Francisco Franco was appointed to quell the rebellion. The strike failed, and Luis Companys proclaimed the Catalan Republic within the Spanish monarchy, forcing the government to act under the command of Batet and declare a state of war. After controlling Barcelona, Companys and some Catalans surrendered and were sentenced to long terms in jail.
Radicalization and Corruption
Throughout 1935, left and right-wing parties radicalized, and fighting in the street and corruption increased. Following these events, the Radical Party and CEDA entered a crisis. An attempt to lead a new government was not achieved due to the opposition of Alcalá Zamora, and new elections were called in February 1936.
Repression in Spain after the failure of the revolution in Asturias strengthened ties between the left in favor of amnesty for prisoners. The coalition of Republican parties was reorganized. Some Republicans set up the Republican Union, led by Martínez Barrio, and another sector set up the Republican Left. Azaña left Parliament. In April, Zamora was replaced in the presidency due to incompatibility with the Popular Front, which further radicalized the environment.
Azaña as President
In May, the Assembly elected Azaña as president, and the head of government fell to Casares Quiroga, who was unable to manage a very radical political situation in Parliament. Tension increased in the spring of 1936. From the left, the farmers, encouraged by anarchosyndicalism, conducted numerous estate occupations. In urban areas, strikes and protests increased.
The radical right-wing, agrarian and industrial owners carried out a political boycott by closing factories, expatriating capital, and conducting massive layoffs. Gunmen in the streets acted against fascist left-wing groups. In the barracks, the discontent of the officers was growing, some of whom were finalizing details for a military coup.