Spain’s Second Republic: History, Reforms, and Opposition
The Second Republic
After the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, Alfonso XIII appointed General Berenguer as head of government, tasking him with preparing elections to restore constitutional legality.
The Proclamation of the Republic
When municipal elections were announced, opposition to the monarchy and the existing political system coalesced into a coalition (Pact of San Sebastián, 1930) to contest the elections. The elections favored the coalition, leading to a dramatic change. Consequently, Alfonso XIII suspended his royal powers and went into exile in 1931, leading to the proclamation of the Republic.
The Interim Government and the Constitution of 1931
A provisional government was formed with representatives from the parties of the Pact of San Sebastián. This government convened elections for the Constituent Cortes to draft a constitution. The Republican-Socialist coalition won a majority in the 1931 elections and promptly approved a Constitution. This constitution defined Spain as a democratic republic of workers, respecting various cults and religions, with universal suffrage for men and women. It established individual freedoms for all, legislative power residing in Parliament, executive power in the Cabinet, and a president as head of the republic. The constitution also allowed for the creation of autonomous governments. Niceto Alcalá Zamora was elected president, and Manuel Azaña presided over the government, which included socialists, nationalists, and republicans.
Biennium Reform (1931-1933)
The new Republican-Socialist government launched a leftist biennium aimed at creating a democratic, modern, and secular country.
The Problems of the Republic:
- The Military Problem: Manuel Azaña emphasized the importance of reducing the number of officers and military spending. A law was enacted to retire nearly half of the officers, subordinating the army to civil authority.
- The Issue of Religion and Education: The Catholic Church had significant influence on education. The constitution separated church and state, ceased paying priests, banned religious orders from teaching, introduced civil marriage, divorce, and burials, and disbanded the Society of Jesus. The government aimed to promote secular education and invested in public schools.
- Land Reform: To address the agrarian problem, a law was enacted to redistribute land from large, underutilized farms to landless peasants. Labor law reforms, led by the Socialist Largo Caballero, were also initiated.
Opposition to the Reforms
The reforms faced opposition from right-wing forces. Many people opposed the new regime, leading to a coup attempt in 1932 led by General Sanjurjo. Right-wing forces regrouped and formed the Spanish Confederation of the Autonomous Right (CEDA), led by Gil Robles. A fascist group, the Spanish Falange (FE), emerged, led by Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera. Monarchist Alfonsinos (Jose Calvo Sotelo) and Carlists joined those who criticized the republic.
Criticism from Leftist Forces
The slow pace of some reforms led to demands for faster changes, resulting in uprisings that were suppressed by public order forces.