The Second Spanish Republic (1931-1936)
Introduction
The outcome of the elections of April 12, 1931, gave victory to the Republicans, gaining more power than the monarchy. Given the situation, Alfonso XIII left Spain, and the Republic was proclaimed two days later.
This policy shift gave hope for establishing democracy definitively by making reforms and modernizing the state.
The Republic came at a bad time. Europe was undergoing a serious crisis, there was a struggle between different ideologies, and the Soviet Revolution had succeeded. Meanwhile, in Spain, the Republic faced strong opposition from the left and the radical right.
Development
1. The Provisional Government and the Constitution of 1931
a) The Provisional Government
The members of the revolutionary committee had agreed to create a provisional government in the Pact of San Sebastián after the establishment of the republic. This interim government excluded the monarchist right, the Basque nationalists, communists, and anarchists.
The new government called for elections to the Constituent Cortes and also implemented urgent reforms such as:
- Agrarian reform
- Army reform
- Negotiations with the Catalans and Basques
The government also faced opposition from:
- Businessmen and landowners
- The Church
b) The Constitution of 1931
The June 1931 elections gave a majority to the Republican-Socialist parties. They completed their designated work in months and in December 1931 approved the Constitution. It was democratic and progressive.
The Constitution established the following principles:
- Spain is an integral state that can support autonomous communities.
- Legislative power is vested in a unicameral Cortes.
- Executive power is vested in the Council of Ministers and the President of the Republic.
- Nationalization of utilities.
- Presents a comprehensive statement of rights and freedoms, recognizing universal suffrage for men and women.
- Separation of church and state. Civil marriage and divorce are recognized. This section created discrepancy between the left and the right.
2. The Reform Biennium (1931-1933)
Between December 1931 and September 1933, the Republican-Socialist coalition government implemented reforms:
– The reform of the army was intended to create a professional and operational army. Military personnel could withdraw their oath of adherence to the old regime and retain their grade and salary. This reduced the number of units but fewer than intended. Hence, this hampered the modernization of weaponry.
– Religious reform: Aimed to reduce the influence of the Church in society. The state was declared non-denominational. This involved the adoption of civil marriages and divorce, abolition of the budget for religious orders, and the exclusion of religion from education.
– Land reform: Fixed working hours, minimum wages, and termination of unfair tenancies. In 1932, the Agrarian Reform Law was established. The aim was to expropriate large, under-utilized land for proper exploitation. The process was conducted through the Institute of Agrarian Reform.
– The reform of the centralized state: Allowed the creation of autonomous communities within the State. This led to the creation of the Generalitat of Catalonia, approved in 1932. In the first elections, Francesc Macià became regional president.
– Social and educational reforms: Social reforms established the Employment Contracts Act, set the work week at 40 hours, and promoted social insurance. As for education, a mixed, secular, free, and compulsory education model was established. More than 10,000 schools were created.
As a consequence of the radicalization of the peasantry, the police acted harshly against them. This climate of tension caused the rift between Republicans and Socialists, leading to elections in 1933 following the resignation of Manuel Azaña.
3. The Conservative Biennium (1933-1936)
The 1933 elections were won by center-right parties. Their purpose was to dismantle the achievements of the previous biennium. Governments were organized into two: The Radical Party of Alejandro Lerroux (more conservative) and CEDA (which included the Catholic right).
As a first step, all reforms of the previous biennium were halted, the budget for worship and the clergy was restored.
These measures were so conservative that the PSOE and the UGT were radicalized.
The heavy retaliation by the CEDA led to…
4. The October Revolution of 1934
CEDA was seen as a step towards fascism. Attempts to stop them failed except for Asturias and Catalonia.
In Asturias, miners started a social revolution. They took control of councils and military barracks and besieged the capital, but the Legion of Africa arrived and harshly suppressed them.
In Catalonia, an unsuccessful political reform was attempted. The Catalan Republic within the Federal Republic was proclaimed but was quickly attacked, and its leaders were arrested.
The climate of tension led to the dissolution of Parliament and the calling of elections in February 1936.
5. The Popular Front
The new government, formed mainly by Republicans but supported by socialists and communists, resumed the reformist policies of the first biennium.
The reforms greatly upset the most conservative sectors and business owners, leading to factory closures and capital flight.
On the right, Falangists created a climate of violence against members of the Left. The tense atmosphere pushed the conservatives to see a coup as the only solution.