Spain’s Second Republic: Reforms, Conflicts, and Civil War
Republic II (1931-1936)
In January 1930, dictator Primo de Rivera resigned. Alfonso XIII attempted a return to constitutional normality, but the process was slow. Dissatisfaction grew against Berenguer. Opposition organized through the Pact of San Sebastián, and in December, an insurrectionary act to proclaim the Republic in Jaca failed. The monarchy’s last government, led by Admiral Aznar, called for municipal elections on April 12, 1931. These elections became a referendum on the monarchy. Republican candidates triumphed in major cities. Upon learning the results, the Republic was proclaimed, first in Eibar, then Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza, and other cities. Alfonso XIII went into exile.
A provisional government formed, spanning from the Republican right (Maura, Alcalá Zamora) to the Socialists (Largo Caballero, Indalecio Prieto, Fernando de los Ríos), with Republicans like Azaña and Marcelino Domingo. Elections were held in June to give the Republic a constitution. However, the first social conflicts arose, including opposition from the Catholic hierarchy and the burning of monasteries in several cities in May. The June elections resulted in a large majority for the Republican-Socialist coalition. After three months of discussion and a government crisis, the Republican right left the government. Azaña became the new president, and the Constitution was adopted in December. It had a strong democratic and progressive character, defining the Republic as “workers of all classes” and emphasizing popular will. The state was granted compulsory purchase power for public utility, and an extensive bill of rights was established, including women’s suffrage, civil marriage, and divorce, along with the total separation of church and state.
Between 1931 and 1933, Manuel Azaña presided over a government of Left Republicans and Socialists, pushing through a broad program of reforms.
Reforms
Religious Reform
The Republic aimed to limit the Church’s influence and secularize social life. These measures were enshrined in the Constitution, guaranteeing freedom of religion but prohibiting religious orders from teaching and dissolving the Jesuit order.
Agrarian Reform
This was perhaps the largest project, aiming to improve the situation of landless peasants and tenants and modernize Spanish agriculture, especially in regions like Andalusia and Extremadura where land ownership was concentrated. The law was passed in September 1932. The intention was not to collectivize land but to expropriate large estates and settle farmers. The Institute for Agrarian Reform (IRA) was responsible for its application. The reform had limited results, with fewer expropriations and only about 12,000 families settled. However, it had significant social consequences, provoking defiance from large landowners and disappointment among many laborers and tenants.
Autonomy Reform
The possibility of an autonomous system culminated in Catalonia, with an independent government drafting the Statute of Nuria, approved in 1932. The Statute granted Catalonia its own government and parliament and recognized Catalan as an official language. The first elections to the Catalan parliament were won by Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya. In the Basque Country, a traditional draft statute failed to be enacted.
Social and Educational Reforms
Legislation was passed to improve workers’ conditions, such as the Employment Contracts Act and the Mixed Jury system. Social security was promoted, and working hours in the field were reduced. In education, free and secular schooling was encouraged, with over 10,000 primary schools opened. Educational Missions were created to promote cultural development in deprived areas, disseminating libraries, cinema, and theater.
The Right Wing’s Resurgence
The right wing reorganized in these years. Monarchists (Maeztu, Pemán) created Acción Española, an ideological core to strengthen the right, and Calvo Sotelo led Renovación Española. In 1933, the undemocratic Falange Española, inspired by Italian Fascism, was formed by Primo de Rivera’s son. However, the largest right-wing group was the CEDA, led by Gil Robles. It was a Catholic-inspired party with heterogeneous groups, ranging from Christian democrats like Jiménez Fernández to authoritarian groups like JAP. In 1932, General Sanjurjo attempted a coup in Seville.
Workers’ Protest and Political Instability
Much of the workers’ protest against the Republic was led by the CNT, especially its more radical wing (FAI). Strikes, insurrections, and land occupations increased, with events like those in High Llobregat, Arnedo, Castilblanco, and Casas Viejas. In 1933, libertarian communism was declared in a village in Cadiz. This led to the dissolution of Parliament and the call for elections in November 1933.
The Bienio Negro (1933-1935)
The November elections resulted in a victory for center-right parties, with the CEDA as the largest party. The CEDA aimed to dismantle the previous reformist government’s work. Initially, the CEDA was excluded from the government, and some reforms were reversed. Funding for worship and clergy was restored, rebels from 1932 were pardoned, and agrarian reform stalled. Radical governments were pressured by the CEDA in Parliament, which demanded more forceful action against strikes and conflicts and demanded participation in the government. Lerroux agreed to these demands and granted three portfolios to the CEDA in October. In Asturias, a social revolution erupted. Armed miners occupied towns and replaced municipalities, leading to continuous clashes with the Guardia Civil. Revolutionary committees assumed multiple responsibilities. The government ordered the Legion to defeat the insurgents. The conflict was very bloody, with summary executions and harsh repression. Another focal point of conflict was Catalonia, where a confrontation with the central government occurred over the issue of the Rabassaires (tenant farmers). Companys declared the Catalan Republic within the Spanish Federal Republic, supported by the UGT and PSOE. In Catalonia, the revolt was more political.
The Rise of CEDA and the 1936 Elections
As the CEDA’s influence increased, the Statute of Catalonia was suspended, and Gil Robles was appointed Minister of War. A bill to amend the Constitution was drafted but not voted on due to a government crisis. Radicals were involved in scandals like the Nombela case. Alcalá Zamora withdrew confidence from Lerroux. Finally, after governments led by Chapaprieta and Valladares, new elections were called for February 1936. This led to the union of leftist parties in the Popular Front (Republicans, Socialists, and Communists) with a common program of returning to earlier reforms and amnesty for prisoners from October. Right-wing parties formed the National Bloc (CEDA, Monarchists, and Traditionalists). The CEDA ran an aggressive campaign “against communism and its accomplices.” The result was a clear division, with the collapse of the center.
The Popular Front and the Road to Civil War
The Popular Front’s victory was not accepted by the right, which immediately began planning a military coup. The electoral victory led to the reorganization of the Republic, with Manuel Azaña named president. A government of only Republicans (without PSOE participation) was formed, led by Casares Quiroga, and a series of reforms were launched. The reform program was resumed, including the settlement of farmers. Social tension increased. The right sought to control the streets with armed Falange patrols, leading to a climate of violence. For many on the right, the only solution was a coup. General Mola coordinated a military uprising that succeeded in several cities. The coup was supported by Falangists, Carlists, and many CEDA militants, who saw Calvo Sotelo and authoritarianism as the best option. The assassination of this right-wing leader, in response to the murder of Lieutenant Castillo, was the catalyst for the military uprising that began on July 17, 1936, in Morocco and a day later on the mainland.