Spanish Politics in the Second Republic
The 1936 Elections and Political Forces
A bar chart illustrates the distribution of political representation following the 1936 elections, the third held during the Second Spanish Republic. This secondary source reveals a fragmented political landscape with numerous parties vying for power.
Election Results
The Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) secured the most seats with 99, followed by the Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Rights (CEDA) with 88, and the Republican Left with 87. Notably, no single party achieved an absolute majority, precluding the PSOE from governing alone.
Political Coalitions
- Popular Front (Left-wing coalition): PSOE, Republican Left, Republican Union, Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), and Communist Party of Spain (PCE). This coalition commanded an absolute majority with 278 seats.
- Republicans, Socialists, and Communists: A subset of the Popular Front, holding 162 seats.
- Right-wing: CEDA, Republic of Rights, National Bloc, Regionalist League, Agrarian Party, and Traditionalist Communion, totaling 150 seats.
- Center-right: Radical Republican Party and Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), a meager 16 seats.
The Second Republic (1931-1936)
Political Polarization
The Second Republic was marked by intense political polarization stemming from the reforms implemented during the 1931-1933 biennium. These reforms, aimed at modernizing Spain, faced strong opposition from right-wing forces. The CEDA’s entry into the government in 1933 triggered the October Revolution. Subsequent corruption scandals led to the government’s dismissal and new elections called by President Niceto Alcalá-Zamora.
The Popular Front’s Victory
The Popular Front, a coalition of left-wing parties, emerged victorious in the 1936 elections. This alliance aimed to halt the rise of fascism and implement a common reform agenda, including amnesty for political prisoners, reinstatement of those affected by reprisals, and implementation of suspended reform legislation.
Left-Wing Forces
- Republicans: Supported by the middle and petite bourgeoisie, including parties like Republican Action, Radical Socialist Republican Party, and Galician Republican Federation. They favored alliances with moderate socialists to implement reforms.
- ERC: A Catalan nationalist party with similar goals to the Republicans.
- PSOE: A social-democratic party with Marxist origins, divided between reformists and leftists.
- PCE: A Stalinist communist party.
- Workers’ Party of Marxist Unification (POUM): An anti-Stalinist communist party with influence in Catalonia.
- National Confederation of Labor (CNT): An anarchist trade union with a million members, divided between moderate and radical factions.
Right-Wing Forces
The right-wing parties held an ambiguous stance towards the Republic and presented a disunited front in the elections.
- CEDA: A coalition of small right-wing parties advocating for the abolition of divorce and opposing land expropriation.
- Republic of Rights: The only right-wing party loyal to the Republic.
- National Bloc: A monarchist party hostile to the Republic.
- Traditionalist Communion (Carlists): A monarchist group with a paramilitary force, the Requetés.
- Agrarian Party: Opposed to land reform.
Center-Right Forces
The center-right Radical Republican Party, once a prominent force, suffered a decline due to scandals and collaboration with CEDA. Its lost votes were split between CEDA and the left.
Election Outcome and Aftermath
The election results were close, with the left winning 48% of the vote and the right 46%. However, the electoral system favored the Popular Front. A minority Republican government was formed with parliamentary support from other coalition members. President Manuel Azaña initiated a reform program, but the right-wing remained opposed to the Republic. General Francisco Franco’s declaration of war led to a coup and the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).
The 1931 Constitution
Context
The first Spanish Republic (1873-1874) was short-lived and unstable. The subsequent Restoration monarchy, though lasting longer, faced challenges such as land distribution, cultural backwardness, religious tensions, military issues, and national identity. The dictatorship of Primo de Rivera (1923-1930) attempted to address these problems, but ultimately failed. Following the fall of the dictatorship, municipal elections in 1931 saw a resounding victory for Republican candidates. King Alfonso XIII abdicated, and the Second Spanish Republic was proclaimed.
Features of the Constitution
The 1931 Constitution, adopted by the Constituent Cortes, was progressive for its time. Key features included:
- Democratic Republic: Defined as a “democratic republic of workers of all classes,” reflecting both republican and socialist ideals (Article 1).
- Regional Autonomy: Granted the possibility of autonomy to certain regions, addressing nationalist demands (Articles 1, 8, and 12).
- Secularism: Limited the influence of the Church, separated church and state, guaranteed religious freedom, and abolished the church budget (Articles 3 and 26).
- Universal Suffrage: Extended voting rights to women.
- Unicameral Legislature: Established a single legislative chamber with significant powers.
Conclusion
While the 1931 Constitution aimed to address Spain’s challenges, it was never fully accepted by the right-wing due to its secular, agrarian, and regional provisions. This lack of consensus contributed to the political polarization that ultimately led to the Civil War.
Economic and Social Changes (1959-1973)
Development and Stabilization Plans
Spain experienced an economic boom between 1959 and 1973, driven by rapid industrialization, European economic policies, and stabilization and development plans implemented by technocrats. These plans aimed to liberalize the economy, reduce inflation, and facilitate integration into international markets.
Effects of Economic Growth
- GDP grew by 160% between 1961 and 1963.
- Income per capita and consumption increased significantly.
- Tourism, foreign investment, and emigration contributed to economic growth.
- Development plans promoted industrialization, improved productivity, and facilitated technology imports.
- Public sector industries and consumer goods industries boomed.
Agrarian Modernization
From the 1960s, agriculture modernized with increased mechanization, fertilizer use, and diversification of products. The rural exodus led to a decline in the farming population.
Social Effects
- Population growth and demographic changes.
- Rural exodus and urbanization.
- Shift towards an industrial society.
- Social transformation and rise of mass consumption.
- Improved education and secularization.
- Changing social structures and behaviors.
Consolidation of the Franco Regime
- Modernization of political structures.
- Establishment of the Court of Public Order.
- Social Security Act and union elections.
- Press Law and Law of Religious Freedom.
- Organic Law of the State and succession plans.
- Normalization of international relations and decolonization.
Conclusion
Spain underwent significant economic and social changes during this period, leading to modernization and a weakening of the Franco regime’s traditional support base. These changes contributed to the rise of new forms of opposition and paved the way for the eventual transition to democracy.