The Second Spanish Republic: From Interim Government to Revolution

Posted on Oct 25, 2024 in History

1. Interim Government

On April 14, 1931, the Committee became the revolutionary Provisional Government, represented by Zamora, Lerroux, Azaña, Quiroga, and De Los Ríos. Chaired by Zamora, the government aimed to establish a democratic political system. It implemented a series of social, political, and military reforms and convened a Constituent Assembly to provide legal support for the new regime. This government faced conflicts such as the burning of convents in Andalusia and Madrid and protests by the CNT. On June 28, the government called for elections to the Constituent Cortes, which opened on July 14. Its main function was to draft a constitution defining Spain as a democratic republic of workers of all kinds. Once the constitution was approved, the Cortes elected Zamora as president and Azaña as president of the government.

The 1931 Constitution

One of the Parliament’s priorities was drafting a constitution that reflected the new political realities. Professor Jiménez de Asúa was in charge of drafting the text, adopted on December 9, 1931, by 368 votes with none against. The constitution, set out in 125 articles across nine titles, had democratic, progressive, and social characteristics.

Key Features of the Constitution:

  • Article 1 defined Spain as a democratic republic of workers of all kinds.
  • Title I, referring to the state, raised the possibility of provinces grouping into autonomous regions with a status of autonomy adopted by the courts. This sparked debate as Catalonia had passed the Statute of Núria and the Basques the Statute of Estella.
  • Title III declared a non-denominational state, a contentious issue that led to significant conflict. This led to Zamora’s presidency and Azaña’s appointment as Prime Minister.
  • Article 26 regulated the state’s relationship with the church, highlighting the tension caused by a secular constitution in Spain.

Powers of the Government:

  • Legislative power resided with the single-chamber Cortes, renewed every four years.
  • The judiciary was independent.
  • Executive power was held by the president, elected every six years. Presidential powers were limited and subject to oversight by the Cortes.

Rights and Duties of Spaniards:

  • Granted women the right to vote, establishing universal suffrage for adults over twenty-three.
  • Established civil marriage and divorce.
  • Guaranteed the right to education, private property, and freedom of association (political and trade union).
  • Changed the colors of the flag to symbolize the transformation.

The constitution was among the most modern of its time, with a progressive character that allowed for a political system open to both the left and right.

Radical Government

On December 16, Lerroux formed a government with members of his party.

Key Issues:

  • Religious Problem: The government aimed to normalize relations with the Holy See by signing a Concordat and providing economic support to the rural clergy. Both measures were partially or fully thwarted.
  • Agricultural Problem: Lerroux confirmed decrees related to crop yields and insisted on settling landless peasants. He also set aside the law of municipal boundaries.
  • Regional Problem: Catalonia and the Basque Country faced the Republican government. Conflicts arose with the President of the Generalitat, Lluís Companys, over the rabassaires issue, and with Basque nationalists over the draft Statute.
  • Clashes with the CEDA: Right-wing extremists accused Lerroux of weakness in dealing with the legacy of Azaña’s period. This led to a division within the Radical Party and the entry of CEDA ministers into the government after a brief period under Ricardo Samper.
  • Amnesty Law: An amnesty law favored military and royalist figures imprisoned for participating in the Sanjurjada.

In 1934, tensions between the right and left escalated.

  • Right-wing groups: The Spanish Falange de las JONS, Spanish Renovation (formed by the bourgeoisie and nobility), and the CEDA (formed by middle and lower classes).
  • Center: The Radical Party.
  • Left-wing groups: Republican Left (led by Azaña), Republican Unity (led by Barrios), PSOE (which moved left and took control of the UGT), PCE (which ended its confrontation with the PSOE), and CNT (which remained on the sidelines).

Due to measures taken against land policy, the UGT organized a general strike on June 5 that lasted twelve days and ended with the peasant movement.

October 1934 Revolution

The revolution was caused by a confrontational atmosphere in the Cortes, ongoing conflict in the countryside, clashes between the left and the Falange at universities, political tension between the government and nationalists, and the radicalization of public opinion. On October 4, Lerroux formed a government that included CEDA ministers. Fearing a coup against the Republic, some left-wing sectors called for a general strike. On October 5, the strike became widespread, leading to armed uprisings across the country, most seriously in Catalonia and Asturias.

  • Catalonia: The conflict was primarily political. President Companys proclaimed the Catalan Republic (Estat Català), which was quickly dissolved. Companys and the Generalitat government were arrested.
  • Asturias: The uprising was social and revolutionary. The CNT and UGT formed a pact to abolish the bourgeois regime, working together under the acronym UHP (Workers’ United Front). The government granted military powers, bringing in Franco’s Legion troops. On October 10, troops landed and captured Oviedo. On October 19, the uprising surrendered.

The revolution resulted in nearly 1,500 deaths, 2,000 injuries, and 30,000 arrests, including Companys, Azaña, and key socialist figures.