Spain’s Second Republic: A Tumultuous Journey
The Spanish Second Republic: A Tumultuous Era
Early Reforms and Challenges (1931-1933)
The Second Republic embarked on ambitious social and economic reforms. Land expropriation aimed to address social inequality and boost agricultural output, but was hampered by limited funds and political resistance. The establishment of the Agrarian Reform Institute proved insufficient to overcome these obstacles, leaving many farmers without land ownership.
Labor reforms, including the implementation of a forty-hour work week and the establishment of Joint Committees composed of employers and employees, sought to mitigate labor conflicts. Social insurance gained recognition, but these advancements were overshadowed by escalating violence.
A coup attempt in Seville and Madrid, led by General Sanjurjo, was thwarted. However, the tragic events at Casas Viejas, where government forces clashed with anarchists and killed eleven peasants, deeply divided the Republic. The incident fueled tensions between Republicans and Socialists, with the latter further divided between moderate and radical factions. Meanwhile, the right-wing consolidated, primarily representing the Catholic conservative middle class.
The Black Biennium (1934-1936)
The period from 1934 to 1936, known as the Black Biennium, saw the rise of Lerroux’s Radical Republican Party, which catered to the middle classes. A counter-agrarian reform reversed previous land expropriations, returning land to previous owners and reducing compensation for expropriated land. Educational reforms were scaled back, and senior military positions were filled with figures like Franco, Goded, and Mola. An amnesty law secured the release of Sanjurjo from prison, and grants to the Church were reinstated. The approval of the Death Penalty Act further contributed to political instability and led to Lerroux’s resignation.
Samper’s brief tenure was marked by clashes with Catalan and Basque nationalists over land ownership and the central government’s authority. The annulment of the Agrarian Reform Law and the blockade of the Basque statute fueled regional tensions.
The October 1934 Revolution
Lerroux’s return to power coincided with the October 1934 Revolution, a proletarian uprising fueled by the right-wing’s electoral victory, the rise of fascism in Europe, and the government’s inclusion of three CEDA ministers. The revolution, spearheaded by the PSOE, communists, and anarchists, unfolded in major cities, particularly in Catalonia and Asturias.
In Catalonia, an independent republic was declared, and the statutes were suspended. Asturias witnessed more severe events, including violence and property seizures. The government deployed the Legion, a force composed of convicts and other marginalized individuals, to quell the uprisings. In Asturias, miners seized mines and other properties, prompting the government to send the Legion, led by Franco, to suppress the revolt.
The revolution’s failure was attributed to government repression, lack of peasant support, and the imprisonment of key figures like Largo Caballero. Azaña, accused of instigating the uprising, was also imprisoned. The Radical-CEDA coalition’s internal divisions and government corruption led to the February 1936 elections.
The Popular Front and the Brink of Civil War
The 1936 elections saw a divided and discredited right-wing and a united left-wing under the Popular Front. The Popular Front’s victory resulted in Azaña’s presidency from February to July 1936. He aimed to resume his religious and educational programs, but the Republic was consumed by escalating violence.
Inflammatory speeches by Calvo Sotelo and the burning of churches fueled tensions. The assassination of Lieutenant Castillo on July 12th, followed by the assassination of Calvo Sotelo on July 13th, marked a turning point. On July 17th, Franco, stationed in the Canary Islands, launched a coup against the government, plunging Spain into civil war.