The Second Spanish Republic (1931-1936): Reforms, Conflicts, and Collapse
The Second Spanish Republic (1931-1936)
Proclamation and the Constituent Assembly
On April 12, 1931, municipal elections with increased voter participation resulted in Republican-Socialist victories in major cities. This led to the proclamation of the Second Republic on April 14, 1931, and the abdication and exile of King Alfonso XIII. A provisional government, formed by signatories of the Pact of San Sebastian, implemented urgent measures like amnesty for political prisoners, political freedom, and trade union and army reforms. These measures aimed to satisfy the working classes but not the financial bourgeoisie or the Church. The Constituent Assembly elections in June 1931 led to the formation of a Republican court chaired by Niceto Alcalá-Zamora. A commission drafted a democratic and progressive constitution, defining Spain as a republic of workers with broad rights and liberties, including women’s suffrage. Differences between left and right-wing parties on religious and autonomous issues led to Alcalá-Zamora’s replacement by Manuel Azaña.
Political Parties and Unions
Left-Wing Groups
Key statewide parties included the Radical Republican Party and the Republican Action. Regional groups like Esquerra Republicana supported reforms. The PSOE, with social and revolutionary factions, was the largest party. The PCE, aligned with the Bolsheviks, grew rapidly among workers and peasants. The CNT faced internal divisions, with the more moderate Treintistas advocating for gradual change, while the FAI favored armed insurrection.
Right-Wing Groups
Center-right formations included the Radical Party and the Republican Right. Conservative groups like the Agrarian Party, the Liberal Democrat, and Acción Española emerged. Acción Española, an intellectual nucleus, aimed to present a Catholic, monarchist, and traditional right-wing. The CEDA was the major Catholic right-wing party, alongside the Basque PNV. Monarchist groups, like those led by Calvo Sotelo, sought to restore the monarchy. Smaller fascist groups like the Juntas de Ofensiva Nacional-Sindicalista and Falange Española, later led by José Antonio Primo de Rivera, also emerged.
Reforms of the Left-Wing Biennium
The Religious Question
The Republic limited the Church’s influence by declaring a secular state, banning religious orders from teaching, legalizing divorce and civil marriage, and limiting religious orders’ possessions. Confrontations arose, particularly with the Jesuits. Much of the Catholic sector viewed these reforms as an attack on traditional Catholicism. Movements against the clergy, including the burning of convents and religious buildings, further fueled tensions. The government responded to the hostile attitude of Cardinal Segura with his expulsion.
Military Modernization
The Republic aimed to transform the army by creating a professional force, reducing military spending, and ending its oversized structure. The Law of Retirement of Officers required officers to swear allegiance to the Republic or retire with full pay. Many accepted retirement, reducing military expenses but hindering weapons modernization.
Agrarian Reform
The Republic prioritized agrarian reform to address landlordism in central and southern Spain. Decrees protected landless peasants, banned lease terminations, and established an eight-hour workday. The Agrarian Reform Law aimed to expropriate land from large landowners, with or without compensation depending on land use. The Agrarian Reform Institute implemented the law, but its initial impact was limited due to complex procedures and limited expropriation, leading to social tensions and unmet expectations among farmers.
Reform of Central Government and Autonomy
The proclamation of the Catalan Republic by Francesc Macià created a challenge. The Pact of San Sebastian had determined that the Constitution would establish the new state structure. This allowed for the drafting of an autonomy statute for Catalonia. The Constitution provided a framework for regional autonomy. The Catalan Statute established a government and parliament with economic competencies. A Basque statute was also proposed but faced opposition from socialists, delaying its approval until 1936 under a Republican-Nationalist consensus. José Antonio Aguirre became the first Lehendakari (Basque president). Galician nationalism was less pronounced.
Educational and Cultural Work
The Republic established a liberal, secular, and universal education system, focusing on primary education and increasing the education budget by 50%. This model emphasized mixed-gender classes, secularism, compulsory attendance, and critical thinking. Pedagogical missions were promoted to improve cultural levels.
Labor Reform
Led by Largo Caballero, the Ministry of Labor implemented reforms including the Labor Contract Law, which regulated collective bargaining, and the Law of Mixed Juries. A 40-hour workweek was established, and wages were increased. Social security was promoted, and the role of unions was strengthened.
The Triumph of the Popular Front
February 1936 Elections
Left-wing parties united under the Popular Front, advocating for amnesty for political prisoners from the 1934 October Revolution. Right-wing parties formed various coalitions but failed to present a unified candidate. The Popular Front won the elections, forming a government of Republicans with support from Socialists. Manuel Azaña became President, and Casares Quiroga became Prime Minister.
The Popular Front Government
The new government granted amnesty to around 30,000 political prisoners, restored the Catalan autonomy statute, and resumed the stalled reforms of 1933. The right-wing strongly opposed these measures, closing factories, expatriating capital, and launching campaigns against the Republic. The Spanish Falange contributed to a climate of civil strife and political tension.
The Coup
The climate of violence emboldened those planning a coup. General Franco declared a state of war, initially with limited support. Emilio Mola joined, aiming for simultaneous uprisings in key garrisons, including Madrid and Barcelona. The Army of Africa, under Franco’s command, played a significant role. The government’s attempts to stop the coup by moving generals to Navarre and the Canary Islands were unsuccessful. Right-wing parties, fascists, and Nazis backed the coup. The assassinations of Lieutenant Castillo and José Calvo Sotelo on July 17, 1936, triggered the Spanish Civil War.
Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera and the Second Republic in Extremadura
Dictatorship and Progress
Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship was met with relative indifference in Extremadura. Provincial governors were appointed from the army, and the Patriotic Union, a conservative and Catholic party, was formed. The regime focused on public works, impacting the transport network, emphasizing road and rail communications. Other initiatives included the creation of a provincial hygiene institute and agricultural advancements like snuff cultivation trials and pest control.
End of the Dictatorship and the Second Republic
The Berenguer and Aznar governments did little to prevent change. In the 1931 municipal elections, the Republic won by a small margin. The Extremaduran peasantry had high expectations for land reform, but implementation faced difficulties due to tensions between the government, landowners, and farmers.
Problems of the Republic
The Republic was proclaimed peacefully in Cáceres and Badajoz. Key issues included unemployment due to the 1929 crisis, education, and the influence of religion. Conservative sectors viewed the Republic as a threat to religion.
Political Options
Center-left Republican parties were popular among professionals. Lerroux’s party held historical republican significance, and Diego Hidalgo was a prominent figure. The PSOE had strong mobilizing power. Prominent socialist leaders included the Rosemary and Solano brothers. Anarchism was active, particularly in the two provinces. The conservative oligarchy focused on protecting their property.
Land Reform and Yunteros
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