The Spanish Civil War: From Republic to Civil Strife
The Stage of Rectification (1933-1935)
The Right’s Rise to Power
Following the resignation of Manuel Azana’s government in September 1933, the right-wing reorganized. Several factions opposed the republican regime:
- Monarchists (Alphonsine) – Spanish Renewal (José Calvo Sotelo)
- Traditionalists and Carlists – Traditionalist Communion
- Small Fascist Groups: Juntas de Ofensiva Nacional-Sindicalista (JONS, 1931), Falange Española (FE, 1933) led by José Antonio Primo de Rivera.
These groups either opposed the Republic outright or aimed to transform it from within. The Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Right-wing Groups (CEDA), formed in 1933 around Catholic Action, accepted the Republic but sought to shift it to the right. Its leader was José María Gil Robles.
Meanwhile, the proletariat and rural workers grew discontent with the lack of reforms. This radicalized politics, creating conditions for civil war and dividing Spanish society.
The November 1933 elections saw victories for right and center parties. In Catalonia, the League won. President Niceto Alcalá-Zamora tasked Alejandro Lerroux, leader of the Radical Party, with forming a government. Lerroux’s reliance on CEDA support marked a conservative turn.
The Conservative Biennium and the Revolution of 1934
This period saw setbacks for reforms, including the agrarian reform, and amnesties for those accused of political crimes (like Sanjurjo). The rise of Hitler in Germany and socialist unrest in Austria influenced events in Spain.
In October 1934, the PSOE and UGT, led by Francisco Largo Caballero, launched a general strike and armed insurrection. The entry of three CEDA members into the government on October 4th triggered the revolt. The general strike largely failed, but the insurrection triumphed in Asturias, where workers held power for two weeks before being brutally suppressed by the army, led by Franco. Over 1,000 people died.
October 6th in Catalonia
Lluís Companys, elected President of the Generalitat after Francesc Macià’s death, faced tensions between tenant farmers (rabassaires) and landowners, and anarchist unrest. The League left Parliament in January 1934 due to policy disagreements.
In 1934, progressive laws were passed, including a contract law allowing rabassaires to purchase the land they cultivated. The Madrid government annulled this law, causing outrage in Catalonia. On October 6th, following the CEDA ministers’ entry into the government, Companys proclaimed the Catalan State within a Federal Spanish Republic. This declaration lacked popular support, and Companys surrendered to General Batet’s forces the next day. The Statute of Autonomy was suspended, and the Generalitat government imprisoned.
The Catalan Government’s Work
Despite its short tenure, the Catalan government achieved significant progress:
- Economy: Created statistical services and deposit banks; supported agricultural experimentation centers and cooperatives.
- Social Reform: Established the Institute Against Forced Unemployment and the Council of Labor and Social Welfare.
- Health: Reorganized primary healthcare, built hospitals, and launched vaccination campaigns.
- Education and Culture: Constructed schools, created a teacher training school, improved teachers’ working conditions, introduced coeducation, and promoted cultural initiatives.
- Women’s Status: Advanced legislation on marital law, equality between spouses, and divorce.
Problems of the Second Stage
The conservative policies led to several issues:
- Suspension of land reform
- Gil Robles’ appointment as Minister of War
- Franco’s appointment as Chief of the General Staff
- Return of Jesuit properties
- Repression following the October 1934 events
- Suspension of Catalan autonomy
- Blocking of the Basque Statute of Autonomy
The Lerroux government resigned in September 1935 due to the estraperlo (black market) scandal. Subsequent governments struggled due to lack of consensus, leading to new elections called for February 16, 1936.
The Popular Front (February-July 1936)
Consolidation of Two Antagonistic Blocs
The Popular Front united left-wing forces against fascism. The elections polarized public opinion.
- The Left: Republicans, Socialists, Communists, and Nationalists formed the Popular Front.
- The Right: CEDA was the dominant party.
The Popular Front won in major cities, coastal provinces, and areas with nationalist sentiments, securing a majority in the Congress of Deputies. The right won in areas that would later form Francoist Spain.
The Popular Front’s agenda included restoring Catalan autonomy, continuing agrarian reform, and limiting the Church’s power.
Preparation for Military Uprising
In March 1936, generals began plotting against the Republic. Key grievances included resistance to reforms, decentralization, and the perceived threat of left-wing revolution.
U7. Causes of the Spanish Civil War
Remote or Long-Term Causes (Structural)
- The legacy of the liberal revolution in Spain
- The army’s interventionist attitude
- Delayed modernization and suppression of progressive movements
- The Soviet Revolution’s influence
- Marginalization of the working class
Proximate or Short-Term Causes
- Political polarization in the 1930s
- Military conspiracies
- The Popular Front’s victory and its reforms
- Restoration of Catalan autonomy
- Deterioration of public order
- The assassination of José Calvo Sotelo
The military uprising began on July 17, 1936, transforming into a protracted civil war.
Republican Power
Following the uprising, local committees took control in Republican areas. The CNT addressed abuses, but also committed excesses. The Republican army was initially composed of militias.
Rebel Power
The rebels used extreme violence to consolidate control. The ensuing civil war was longer and more brutal than anticipated.