Spain’s Second Republic: Reforms, Constitution, and Opposition
The Second Spanish Republic (1931-1939)
Alfonso XIII fled the country after the Republicans won the elections on April 14, 1931. He attempted to restore constitutional normality, but lacked support from monarchists. The opposition signed the Pact of San Sebastian to establish the Republic.
The Second Republic aimed to address long-standing issues in Spanish society. During its initial phase, the Biennium Reform, an ambitious project was undertaken to modernize Spain.
The Provisional Government and the 1931 Constitution
The new Provisional Government, led by Alcalá Zamora, implemented urgent reforms to meet popular demands:
- 8-hour workday.
- Improved salaries.
- Law of Municipalities.
- Reduction in the number of senior army officers.
Elections for the Constitutional Courts were held on June 28, resulting in a victory for the Republican-Socialist coalition. Voter turnout was 70% of the census, although some on the right abstained, and anarchists called for abstention.
These courts approved a new constitution in December:
- It established popular sovereignty.
- It included a broad declaration of rights. Women gained the right to vote, and civil marriage, divorce, and equality between legitimate and illegitimate children were recognized.
- The unicameral courts were the central institution of the State, responsible for appointing the head of government.
- Spain was constituted as a state that recognized integrated regions: Catalonia, Basque Country, and Galicia.
- The Republic was a secular state. The Church lost economic privileges and its role in education.
The right wing and the Church rejected the constitution due to the treatment of religious matters.
The Biennium Reformism
Alcalá Zamora was elected President after the constitution’s adoption. Manuel Azaña led a government of Republicans and Socialists, which implemented further reforms:
- Labor reforms.
- Construction of numerous schools and increased salaries for teachers. Public education was made compulsory, free, and secular. Initiatives like the Educational Missions and popular theater were supported to bring culture to rural areas. Many libraries were established, and university expansion was encouraged.
- Military reform, which reduced the number of officers and modernized military training and strength. Mandatory military service was implemented, and promotions made during the dictatorship were canceled.
- Land reform aimed to provide laborers with land by expropriating uncultivated land. The law provided compensation for expropriated lands, but landowners opposed it and supported the Sanjurjo coup.
- A public works plan to modernize infrastructure and boost the economy and employment.
- In September 1932, the Statute of Catalonia was approved.
Opposition to the Government
The government faced opposition from both the right wing and the proletarian left:
- The Right: While some right-wing Republicans supported the Republic’s establishment and development, others opposed it:
- The anti-monarchist right wing supported the Sanjurjo coup.
- The accidental right wing accepted the Republic as a lesser evil, awaiting an opportunity to revise the Constitution.
- The Working Classes: Initially enthusiastic about the Republic, they became disillusioned as reforms were either not implemented or progressed slowly, leading to discontent against the government.