The Spanish Second Republic (1931-1936)
1. The Government Crisis of Azaña and the 1933 Elections
The Anti-Liberal Right-Wing Groups
Fascists:
They included the Boards of the National Syndicalist Offensive (JONS, 1931), founded by Ramiro Ledesma and Redondo, and the Spanish Falange (FE, 1931), led by José Antonio Primo de Rivera. The latter had a Catholic education and a more socially conservative approach. Both groups came together to form the FE de las JONS (1934), a small association of extremists who supported violence against the labor movement and terrorism against republican institutions. This group was funded by the monarchists to destabilize the regime (Covenant of El Escorial). Primo de Rivera became a deputy in the 1933 elections as part of a right-wing coalition. Although this was a minority party during the Second Republic, it grew in importance during the Civil War and became the political platform of the Franco regime.
Monarchist Political Parties:
Carlists:
The traditionalist Royalists constituted the Traditionalist Communion and formed armed militias (the Requetés) that were prepared for a general insurrection. Their geographic center was in Navarre. They refused to accept the Republican regime, headed by Manuel Fal Conde, who was very important in Navarre.
Alfonsinos:
They coalesced around a minority group, Spanish Renewal (1933), led by Antonio Goicoechea. They ranged from alliances with the fascists to the Carlists. Calvo Sotelo, a former minister under the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, became the spokesman for their political positions and was the most famous figure of the extreme right in the 1930s.
Right-Wing Conservative Catholics (Right Republicans):
The CEDA (Confederation of the Autonomous Right) party was formed in 1933 around People’s Action (1932) by José María Gil-Robles. This authoritarian political movement, with near-fascist ideas, advocated establishing a corporate and illiberal government and restoring the political and economic power of the Church. They also intended to paralyze agrarian and labor reforms and called for a Catholic social doctrine to resolve labor conflicts. They also had a powerful youth organization, the JAP (Juventud de Acción Popular), which leaned towards fascism in the months before the Civil War.
The Government Headed by Azaña
The government headed by Azaña had trouble maintaining a favorable parliamentary majority that would allow him to continue ruling. The left stopped backing him up, and social unrest increased because of the economic crisis. The Socialist leaders struggled to retain members of the UGT.
As the House Republicans wanted to expel the Socialist Party from power, Alcalá-Zamora dissolved the Cortes and called for elections in November 1933. These elections had the following characteristics:
- A more organized, illiberal right wing participated, forming the CEDA, which included Alfonsinos, Carlists, agriculturalists, and Catholics. They were joined by José Antonio Primo de Rivera (fascists).
- The Republican Party also participated in a coalition.
- The Socialists stood for election alone.
- The CNT asked its members to abstain.
- For the first time, women could vote.
4. The Popular Front Victory
In January 1936, the Republican Left, Republican Union, PSOE, UGT, PCE, POUM (Workers’ Party of Marxist Unification), and trade unionists against the CEDA signed the Pact of the Popular Front. This pact recommended that the labor movement form tactical alliances with the bourgeoisie to fight fascism.
The Popular Front was an electoral platform calling for a grant of amnesty, the reinstatement of the Constitution of 1931, the recovery of the legislation of the first biennium, and the acceleration of land reform and education.
In February 1936, elections saw the victory of the Popular Front.
Between February and July 1936, the following events occurred in Spain:
- There were two heads of government: Azaña was the first, and from May onwards, Casares Quiroga, since Azaña replaced Alcalá-Zamora as President of the Republic.
- The most important political decisions were the granting of amnesty, the reinstatement of repressed workers, and the restoration of the Statute of Catalonia and the Generalitat. The government proceeded to restore the reform program, especially land reform.
- Socialists did not participate in the government due to internal divisions.
- The PCE believed that the defense of the republic and democracy against fascism was a priority. This greatly influenced Spanish political and social life.
- The trade union movement launched an offensive led by the CNT and the UGT. Day laborers reoccupied the lands from which they had been evicted. There was also a wave of strikes in Madrid (May-July), particularly in the construction sector. Clashes took place between members of the UGT and the CNT during these strikes.
- Military figures considered to be “coup plotters” were removed from the centers of power. However, the plot was resumed in February, with the participation of anti-Azaña military personnel, monarchist civilians, Carlists, and fascists.
- Terrorism increased. A number of Falangist gunmen tried to spread panic. Primo de Rivera was imprisoned, and his party was banned. For their part, leftist militants took the law into their own hands and committed many acts of violence.
- On July 12, 1936, Falangists killed José Castillo, a Socialist deputy and member of the Assault Guard. His companions went to Calvo Sotelo’s address, the most famous parliamentarian of the extreme right, and killed him. The double murder shocked the public and served as justification for the conspirators to launch a military uprising.