Spain’s 1931 Constitution, Military Manifestos & Popular Front
1931 Constitution:
The 1931 constitution established:
- Sovereignty belongs to the Spanish people (popular sovereignty).
- A liberal republic (democratic republic of workers).
- Division of powers: legislative power resides in the people and is exercised by the courts.
- The President of the Republic represents the State.
- Universal suffrage for men and women.
- A secular state, with no financial support for religious institutions, suppressing external obedience, and secular education.
Context:
After the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, the new government sought a return to normalcy. However, the monarchy was questioned, leading to the rise of Republicans and Socialists. The Pact of San Sebastian agreed to establish a republican regime. Following the refusal of Berenguer, Republicans resorted to insurrection. Municipal elections led to a referendum, the fall of the monarchy, and the proclamation of the republic.
Vocabulary:
Obedience to authority other than the state: Refers to a specific vote of obedience to the Pope, which led to the deletion of the Jesuit institution.
Statute of autonomy: A constitutional text outlining the conditions for a region to access economic and political self-management within the state.
Secular education: Education where the content relates only to non-ideological, non-religious issues, excluding religious teaching.
Constituent Cortes: The assembly that drafted the constitution, active from June to December 1931.
Democratic republic of workers: A republic that establishes legal equality among all workers and state participation to achieve economic equality.
The Spanish state has no religion: The state is not identified with any religion, and does not financially support any religion.
MANIFESTO OF MILITARY DEFENSE
Summary:
The manifesto blames rulers for disasters and discord, and the people for misusing their rights. It criticizes electoral manipulations and internal differences within the army.
Context:
The manifesto is part of the crisis of 1917, following World War I. The war years led to economic gains for some, accentuating social differences. The crisis was caused by the end of the war, protests by MPs, labor strikes, and problems in the army due to favoritism and privilege.
Vocabulary:
Only duels and disasters have occurred: Refers to the rulers’ failures and lack of support from opposition groups.
Immorality handled by the chief electoral: Refers to electoral fraud through manipulation of votes by civil governors and chiefs.
THE ANNUAL Disaster
Summary:
The disaster was caused by previous mistakes and errors of the wild-General, making the Spanish position indefensible. The consequences included the union of tribes in the Rif, loss of positions, and 9,000 deaths.
Historical Context:
The problem of Morocco.
Vocabulary:
North African territories: Refers to the Spanish protectorate acquired in the Algeciras Conference of 1906.
National political systems: Refers to the restoration of the constitution, bipartisanship, and turnismo, which had entered into crisis in 1898.
Summary Popular Front
The Popular Front coalition introduced a manifesto including:
- Amnesty for crimes after 1933.
- Land reform.
- Tax reform.
- Education reform, with state-controlled public education and increased access to higher education.
Historical Context:
Biennium.
Vocabulary:
Amnesty of social-political offenses: Refers to crimes committed since the start of the Radical-CEDA, particularly during the October Revolution.
Reform of the land: Refers to the implementation of land reform, which was frozen during the biennium right.
Teaching as inescapable attribute of the state: The state regains control of education, making it exclusively public and secular.