The 1931 Spanish Constitution: Key Aspects and Historical Context
The Constitution of 1931
Rating:
This is a selection of articles pertaining to the constitution of 1931, adopted on 9 December that year and drafted by the Constitutional Commission of the Parliament led by Jimenez de Asua. Text is circumstantial in nature and public policy.
Analysis:
In these articles, belonging to the 1931 Constitution, there are three fundamental ideas: the definition of Spain as a “democratic republic of workers of all kinds,” the sovereignty resides in the people and the conception of the Republic as an integral state. Other aspects that we emphasize are the declaration of secularism, the “renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy,” the acceptance of the rules of international law, changing the colors of the flag, etc.
Historical Context
In April 1931, when they were going to hold the first elections, municipal, Spanish sentiment of many was to see the monarchy as an institution compatible with any program and progressive ideology and was unable to address the ills affecting Spain. The Crown acted as an all-purpose brake on the regeneration of Spain.
Later, King Alfonso XIII touched on many times the limits imposed by the Constitution, engaging in politics too and that role led to the acceptance of Primo de Rivera in 1923. The new system also had problems. First came the intellectuals and liberals who formed the opposition, which later was increased. The arrival in Spain in the throes of the crack highlighted the apparent economic well-being achieved by the dictatorship. Therefore, finally resigning, Primo Alfonso XIII in 1930 and placed in government Berenguer. In the months of his government and his successor Azaña, attempted to return to the policy prescriptions of the Restoration. This was somewhat unrealistic, since most of the Spanish regime change proposed by the fall of the monarchy.
From the social point of view was a clear desire to overcome the void left by the Food and Dictatorship. From a political standpoint, the goal was full democracy, which implied extensive freedoms and genuine elections and new leaders. Thus explains the triumph of the Republican-Socialist candidate in municipal elections, the demonstrations that led to the departure of Alfonso XIII of the country and the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic.
Since then, an interim government was formed, chaired by Alcalá Zamora, with the presence of leaders like Azana, Lerroux, and Caballero. The government is headed for reforms to improve the situation in Spain, but found coping with the Church and conservative forces. To consolidate the new regime, it was necessary to adopt a constitutional text and to produce it, general elections were held on 28 June. The victory went to the Republican-socialists. Once opened the Parliament on June 14, 1931, it was entrusted to a committee of lawyers to prepare a draft of the Constitution. Within days it was held the text and after several discussions, such as that related to religious issues (which led to the resignation of President Alcala Zamora), the Constitution was adopted on December 9, 1931.
Review of the Ideas
Several ideas presented by the text. The first is the definition of Spain as a “democratic republic of workers,” an initial budget which shows the influence of the Socialist Party. The second concept that we must refer to is sovereignty. First, in the article itself, it states that all powers of the Republic “emanate from the people”, so that means that sovereignty resides in the people. Thirdly, the conception of the Republic as an integral state. This model of state wanted to overcome the two traditional models: the unitary and federal. It was inspired by the German Republic, 1919. It also enabled the formation of autonomous regions, with a range of skills, others are shared with the State and thus, it met the aspirations of the Catalan nationalist groups and the commitments agreed to Catalonia. Its development will be referred to in Title I, concerning the national organization, whose articles were set as one has to proceed to the establishment of autonomy and what powers them and the State. Finally, the general provisions made in relation to other matters also of interest: “The declaration of secularism not acknowledged any religion.” The strong pacifist orientation of the new state, which renounces war as an instrument of national policy and acceptance of standards international law. “Changing the colors of the flag as a symbol of the desire of transformation that is aimed at the Republican state.” The most important news of the 1931 Constitution in respect of the above were also: “The broad statement of rights and freedoms. Include the right to vote of women and labor protection.” “The recognition of Spanish nationality for people of Spanish origin living abroad.” A system of choice for the Presidency of the Republic by universal suffrage and the possibility that the President is reelected. “The establishment of a single chamber, the Chamber of Deputies, elected by direct universal suffrage and secret ballot.” The reappearance of the Permanent Delegation of the Congress to act when there were no sessions and to extend, thereby, the audit function of the camera. “The introduction of a Court of Constitutional Guarantees.
Conclusion and Scope
The 1931 Constitution did not resolve the tensions in Spain. The ideological war, class struggle and national disintegration process found in it the last episode. The purpose of the constituents of 1931 was to establish new rules of the game where most of the Spanish was any role, standards of living to collect the maximum of freedom.
Never raised in the 1931 Constitution of national disintegration, but the creation of a new joint model of the state, called the integral state, which would help heal the wounds caused by nationalist centralism imposed since the early eighteenth century.
Without doubt, the Second Spanish Republic and its constitution, were an attempt to solve the country’s historical wrongs. Finally, the Republican period led to the Civil War of 1936-39. After she won the Franco dictatorship. However, with the death of Franco in 1975 regained freedom, which came under a constitutional monarchy, through the 1978 Constitution.
Bibliography:
Julien Elisha AJA. Constitutions and constituent periods in Spain: (1808-1936): Siglo XXI, 2000.