Spain’s Popular Front: Prelude to Civil War (1936)
Popular Front (February-July 1936)
The Popular Front refers to the period of the Second Spanish Republic from February to July 1936. The name originates from the electoral coalition formed by Republicans and Socialists, later joined by Communists and Anarchists, as a strategy to counter the influence of Gil-Robles.
Origins and Stalin’s Influence
The origin of the Popular Front is closely related to the approach of Stalin’s policies.
The 1936 Election Campaign
The 1936 election campaign was highly virulent. It resulted in a narrow victory for the Popular Front, which received 34.3% of the vote compared to 33.2% for the CEDA (Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Right-wing Groups). However, the electoral law, which awarded a majority of seats to the winning list even with a small margin, allowed the Popular Front to secure a wide majority in Congress.
The Left in Power
Azaña’s Government and Socialist Radicalization
Alcalá-Zamora tasked Manuel Azaña with forming a government based on the Republican-Socialist coalition that had governed during the Progressive Biennium (1931-1933). However, the Socialists, influenced by the previous right-wing government and the October 1934 Revolution, had radicalized their positions. Moderate figures like Julián Besteiro and Indalecio Prieto were overshadowed. The PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party) adopted a more radical line, defended by Largo Caballero, who viewed the Republican Left parties as representatives of the small and medium bourgeoisie, whose aims did not extend beyond limited reforms.
Radicalism and Street Violence
Radicalism spilled onto the streets. Immediately following the Popular Front’s victory, prisoners detained during the October Revolution were released.
Frequent clashes occurred between militants of the radical left and the totalitarian right. Street violence between February and June 1936 claimed a significant number of victims. Azaña’s government intended to restart the reform policies initiated in 1931, particularly in:
- Education
- Labor
- Agrarian Reform (which had been paralyzed)
However, the government was overwhelmed by events. Furthermore, rumors of a military coup began circulating as early as March.
The Crisis of July 1936
Rising Tensions and Justifications for Intervention
The deterioration of public order, with its resulting death and violence, was used as an argument within certain circles to justify military intervention. In reality, the motivations were deeper. A broad sector within the army was profoundly upset by the reforms Azaña’s government had promoted earlier. There was also opposition to:
- Educational reform (affecting the Church’s role)
- Agrarian reform (which conservatives viewed as an attack on property rights)
In the tense atmosphere of those months, any reform was perceived by some as a prelude to revolution.
Assassination and Escalation
Amid persistent coup rumors pointing to General Emilio Mola as coordinator and General Franco (then in the Canary Islands) as another key figure, a pivotal event occurred: the assassination of José Calvo Sotelo, leader of the National Block and a prominent right-wing politician, on July 13th. The gravity of the situation was compounded by the fact that the crime was committed by a group of Assault Guards, allegedly in reprisal for the earlier killing of Lieutenant José Castillo of the Assault Guards by Falangists.
The Military Uprising Begins
On the afternoon of July 17th, 1936, General Franco initiated the military revolt in the Canary Islands, marking the beginning of the Spanish Civil War.