The Second Spanish Republic (1931-1936): Reforms and Challenges
The Second Spanish Republic (1931-1936)
The Constitution of 1931 and the Biennio Reformista
1. Introduction
Following the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, Spain experienced two distinct phases. The first was the Dictablanda of General Berenguer. After Primo de Rivera’s fall and the King’s departure, the King instructed Berenguer to form a government with the aim of restoring the Restoration system and returning to constitutional normality. This involved reopening the courts, reinstating the 1876 Constitution, allowing political parties and unions to operate, and holding elections. However, the process was slow and ultimately failed. The Spanish people had lost trust in the King for his support of the dictator. Berenguer’s government was followed by that of Admiral Aznar, which also failed to address the underlying issues. Elections were called for April 12, 1931, to gauge public opinion, with the monarchist parties hoping to win the subsequent general election.
Parallel to these governments, events were unfolding that would lead to the proclamation of the Republic. In August 1930, the Pact of San Sebastián was signed in secret by Republicans, Socialists, and Catalan and Galician nationalists. They agreed on an anti-monarchist political stance and elected a Revolutionary Committee to carry out their plans, including military action. In December 1930, the Jaca uprising, poorly prepared and led by Galan and García Hernández, failed and resulted in their execution. These executions further discredited the monarchy and increased tensions in both urban and rural areas.
The municipal elections of April 12, 1931, were intended to elect local councilors. However, the parties of the Pact of San Sebastián presented them as a plebiscite between monarchy and republic. Their victory signified that the Spanish people desired a republic, not a monarchy. The monarchists believed they could win the support of the people through the traditional leaders. However, the coalition of the Pact of San Sebastián won in almost all provincial capitals, major cities, and industrial and mining areas. The Second Republic was proclaimed in April 1931, marking the first attempt to establish a modern democratic system in Spain. The members of the revolutionary committee gathered in Puerta del Sol and proclaimed the Republic, which was met with great enthusiasm and hope for radical change in Spanish politics. Power shifted to the middle classes, while the working class, lacking strength and organization, remained on the sidelines. In contrast to the popular classes, who desired swift revolution and reform, the oligarchy, which had lost its power, opposed these changes.
The Republic faced unfavorable circumstances due to the impact of the economic crisis of 1929, the international weakness of democratic systems, and the rise of totalitarian ideologies on both the left (communism) and the right (fascism). The transition from monarchy to republic was peaceful and seen as the only way to solve Spain’s problems. The municipal elections of April 12, 1931, reflected the exhaustion of the monarchy, as voting in cities was difficult to manipulate. The Republican-Socialist triumph represented a rejection of the monarchy rather than a clear endorsement of the republic. On April 13, people took to the streets with the Republican flag, while monarchists facilitated the transfer of power. Niceto Alcalá Zamora became the president of the still-illegal republican government, and the Civil Guard remained loyal to the interim government.
2. Development: The 1931 Constitution
The isolation of the dictatorship, the fall of Primo de Rivera, and subsequent events led to the convening of municipal elections on April 12, 1931. Considered a mere formality by Admiral Aznar’s government, these elections were expected to be followed by general elections. However, the triumph of republican candidates in all provincial capitals except one was interpreted as a verdict against the monarchy. The King chose to abdicate and leave Spain without formally renouncing his rights.
With this decision, the Second Republic was proclaimed on April 14. The interim government was tasked with drafting a preliminary constitutional project and calling for elections to form a Constituent Cortes. The government appointed a commission of legal advisors, but their work did not satisfy the government. The Cortes then appointed a parliamentary commission to complete the draft constitution. After much debate and disagreement on certain issues, the final text was approved on December 9 as the CONSTITUTION OF THE SPANISH REPUBLIC.
This constitution was not a product of consensus but rather a constitution of the Left. It defined the Spanish state as “a republic of workers of all classes.” It was rejected by the Right, who believed it did not represent the majority opinion of the country and disagreed with the state’s non-denominational nature and the concept of autonomy. It was also rejected by some sectors of the workers’ movement who considered it a bourgeois constitution.
The new constitution, progressive in nature, drew inspiration from traditional texts like the constitutions of 1812 and 1869, as well as from the Mexican Constitution of 1917 and the USSR Constitution of 1924, and from the doctrines of prominent socialist theorists.
Proclamation:
- Popular sovereignty and a declaration of social, economic, and labor freedoms that expanded upon classic freedoms.
- These rights included:
- Divorce
- Recognition of children born out of wedlock
- Limitations on the right to property in terms of its social function, including the socialization and nationalization of public services.
- Direct, universal, equal (for both sexes), and secret suffrage for those over 23 years of age.
- Consideration of work as a social duty.
- Equality of all citizens before the law and the right to education.
- Separation of church and state, with the latter being non-denominational, and freedom of religion and secular education.
- On the issue of regionalism, the constitution itself did not grant any autonomy but laid the groundwork for it and entrusted parliament with the deliberation of potential autonomy statutes within the framework of a unified state.
- Legislative power: A unicameral system was established, with legislative power residing in parliament, the repository of popular sovereignty. Members of parliament would be elected by universal suffrage for a four-year term. Parliament’s functions would be furthered by the creation of the Permanent Deputation of the Cortes, ensuring business continuity and compliance with the Constitution.
- Members of Parliament elected the President of the Republic, who had the power to dissolve parliament, but only twice during their presidency. The government was responsible to the President.
- Executive power rested with the Council of Ministers and the President of the Republic, elected by the Congress of Deputies. Their powers were subject to parliamentary control.
- Judicial power resided in the courts of justice. One of the innovations of the new era was the creation of a Constitutional Court, charged with resolving appeals regarding the constitutionality of laws and the protection of individual rights. In addition to this court, there would be a Supreme Court whose president would be appointed by the President of the Republic based on a proposal from an assembly.
The constant social tensions, religious conflicts, and regional issues, along with the government’s inability to ensure peaceful coexistence, would eventually lead to the Civil War of 1936, ending the validity of this constitutional text, which was more theoretical and doctrinal than practical. The attempt to democratize Spain represented by this constitution and the Second Republic was cut short by Franco’s dictatorship.
Phases of the Republic:
– Reform or Social Biennium-Azana (December 1931 – November 1933) or Biennium deizquierdas “Well Radical-CEDA (November 1933-February 1936) or Two-year right-Popular Front (February-July 1936) Biennium Reform. (1931-33). In the power of the petty bourgeoisie (without experienciapolítica) are the new government and represent the new United Democratic Forces opposed to the monarchy, republicans, nationalists, socialists ….. Among susprimeras measures is drafting a new constitution, to develop the political nuevorégimen. The power in the hands of the Left (Socialists and Republicans). They have to solve the problems of Spain. Before his opposition arises measures, some think they were too fast and others too slow. The presidentefue Alcalá Zamora. And the prime minister, ana. The problems we face are: elreligioso: is it takes away more support to the government. The government gives alrégimen secular nature. Want to secularize social life, because the church is a deterrent to lamodernización the country. Extinction was enacted two years of budget cleroy worship and the submission of the religious orders a special law, this generaoposición Cardinal Segura. It was enacting laws and decretoscomplementarios as dissolution of the Society of Jesus and confiscation of susbienes, secularization of cemeteries, civil marriage and divorce, the prohibition of teaching by religious orders. Closes its schools. This significóuna situation of constant conflict between the church and the Republic, ending with the cardinal laexpulsión Security (anti-Republican). The Church does not lose its internal force, which intervened in the political game through People’s Action. Loscatólicos mobilization and the Church was one of the causes that contributed to the recovery políticade rights. Anticlericalism manifested in the streets, churches and convents incontroladosincendian groups in cities. The government did not react in time ymuchos Catholics away from the republic. The military problem. Despise the civil power. Primo de Rivera had given mayorpoder. Dissatisfaction with salary and promotion system. Obreros.Azaña not understand to try to modernize the army, which opposes a sector led by Sanjurjo.La Azaña Act aims to create a professional army, end the military fueroespecial and ensure their obedience to civilian authority and republic. It fijóla “law of withdrawal of the officers” admitted the withdrawal, with full pay, of all losgenerales and officers who would not swear allegiance to the Republic (20,000 officers and 100,000 men). But it left many of the oficialesmonárquicos. It creates the Assault Guards, was expected to be Republican, was unapolicía urban.