The Second Spanish Republic: From Reform to Civil War
Biennium Reformist (1931-1933)
1931
April 12: Alf. XIII dismisses Berenguer’s government and appoints Aznar. Aznar calls for elections. Elections in major cities favor republicans, while monarchists win in rural areas, leading to a republican victory.
April 14: Alf. XIII goes into exile, retaining inheritance rights but losing support.
Provisional Government: Niceto Alcalá-Zamora becomes President.
Reforms:
- Military: Zaragoza Military Academy (directed by Franco) closes. Retired military personnel receive full pensions.
- Church: The Vatican urges caution. A pastoral letter approves civil marriage, divorce, civil cemeteries, and a law regulating religious congregations.
- Education: 10,000 new schools are built, teacher training expands, and a library network is established. The education budget increases by 50%.
- Agriculture: Agrarian Reform is initiated. Working hours are limited to 8 hours per day.
June 28: Elections are held, and the center-left wins, with Manuel Azaña becoming Prime Minister.
December 9: A new Constitution is adopted, establishing national sovereignty, a unicameral parliament, a secular state, and the option for regional autonomy.
Anti-clerical Measures: Articles 3, 26, and 27 remove the Church’s influence on education. The Jesuit order is dissolved.
Definition of Spain: Spain is defined as a “republic of workers of all kinds” organized under a regime of liberty and justice.
Manuel Azaña’s Reforms: Azaña continues reforms, but the agrarian reform faces difficulties.
Sanjurjo’s Attempted Coup: General Sanjurjo leads a failed coup attempt.
Reforms of Autonomy:
- Catalonia: Francesc Maciá proclaims a Catalan Republic within Spain, which Madrid rejects. A new Statute is drafted and approved in 1932, granting Catalonia legislative powers over civil, judicial, and public order matters. The state retains control over foreign policy, customs, and education.
- Basque Country: A Statute is proposed in 1931 but rejected by Madrid. A new Statute is approved by referendum in 1932. The right-wing victory in 1933 freezes the project. The Popular Front’s victory in 1936 revives the process, and Antonio Aguirre is proclaimed the first Lehendakari during the Spanish Civil War.
- Galicia: A Statute is approved by referendum in 1932. The right-wing victory in 1933 freezes the project. The Popular Front’s return to power in 1936 restarts the process.
1933
September: Manuel Azaña’s government falls due to internal disagreements and loss of support. Alcalá-Zamora dissolves parliament and calls for new elections on November 19.
Conservative Biennium (1933-1936)
1933
September: Azaña’s government falls. Elections are called for November 19.
Political Reorganization: The right-wing CEDA (Spanish Confederation of the Autonomous Right) reorganizes into two groups: one opposed to the Republic (monarchists, traditionalists, and fascists like the Falange) and another accepting the Republic but seeking to transform it into a conservative state (CEDA under Gil Robles).
Election Campaign: The Socialist Party (PSOE) portrays Gil Robles as a fascist and threatens social revolution if the right wins. Deep social divisions become apparent.
November 19: The right and center win the elections due to low voter turnout among leftist supporters, encouraged by some labor unions, and the reorganization of right-wing parties.
New Government: Alcalá-Zamora tasks Alejandro Lerroux (Radical Party) with forming a government. CEDA supports the government but does not initially participate.
Conservative Biennium Begins: The period known as the “Conservative Biennium” begins, marked by tensions between the Radicals and the right.
1934
October Revolution: Following the entry of CEDA members into the government, the PSOE and the UGT (General Union of Workers) launch an armed insurrection accompanied by a general strike, fearing a right-wing coup. The CNT (National Confederation of Labor) does not join the strike.
Asturian Uprising: The insurrection is successful only in Asturias for two weeks before being brutally suppressed by the Army of Africa (led by Franco).
Catalan and Madrid Uprisings: The October Revolution has echoes in Madrid and Catalonia. Lack of support from Catalan conservatives and anarchists leads to the defeat of the Catalan uprising. The government’s repression extends to Catalonia, with the arrest of Lluís Companys and his cabinet and the suspension of Catalan autonomy.
Aftermath of the October Revolution: The center-right government is weakened by the crisis. Repression, trials, and bans on socialist and communist publications generate sympathy for political prisoners and the persecuted.
1935
Unpopular Government Actions: The government’s actions become increasingly unpopular. An agrarian law reverses reforms of the previous period. The Basque autonomy statute is blocked in the courts. Non-democratic appointments are made in the army.
September: Lerroux’s government resigns due to a corruption scandal. Subsequent governments are short-lived due to lack of parliamentary consensus. Alcalá-Zamora dissolves parliament and calls for new elections on February 16, 1936.
1936
February 16: Elections are held. The left unites in a coalition called the Popular Front. The right is divided, with CEDA running separately.
Popular Front Victory: The Popular Front wins a majority in Congress.
March: Military officers begin plotting a coup against the Republic, which will eventually take place in July.
Reasons for the Military Conspiracy: The military conspiracy is driven by resistance to social change, reforms, and regional autonomy, as well as fear of revolution openly advocated by leftist and trade unionist groups.
October 1934 as a Warning: The October 1934 Revolution serves as a warning of the revolutionary potential of the left, further fueling the military’s fears and determination to overthrow the Republic.