The Spanish Second Republic: 1933-1936
The Radical-CEDA Biennium (1933-1936)
The 1933 elections resulted in a right-wing victory. The government was formed around two main political forces: the Radical Party led by Lerroux and CEDA, a right-wing coalition led by Gil Robles. CEDA proposed a constitutional revision and new social legislation.
The new government, headed by Alejandro Lerroux, initiated counter-reforms. Land reform from the previous two years slowed considerably. The agricultural question caused conflict between the central government and the Catalan government, which remained in the hands of the left-wing Republicans. Following the 1934 enactment of the Cultivation Contracts Act, which allowed tenant farmers to become landowners, the law courts appealed to the Court of Constitutional Guarantees. The court deemed the law unconstitutional and annulled it. The government, however, re-approved a similar law shortly after.
The central government also alienated Basque nationalists by halting the parliamentary discussion of a statute promoted by the PNV. Religious reform was countered by allocating a budget for worship and clergy, and by intending to sign a concordat with the Holy See. An amnesty act for the 1932 coup was passed, releasing General Sanjurjo and other officers involved. Military reform remained in effect, as did changes in education, although with a reduced budget. To counteract the paralysis of reforms, the government favored a rustic lease law and a policy to promote rental housing.
The conservative turn and obstruction of reforms led to the radicalization of the PSOE and the left-wing UGT, led by Francisco Largo Caballero. They proposed non-collaboration with bourgeois forces and promoted social revolution. Moderates, led by Indalecio Prieto, advocated working with left-wing Republicans to stabilize the republic and deepen reforms.
Clashes with Catalan and Basque nationalists, socialist radicalization, and increasing disputes and strikes led CEDA to demand tougher policies and direct government participation, threatening to withdraw parliamentary support. Prime Minister Lerroux conceded, granting three ministerial portfolios to CEDA on October 5.
The October Revolution of 1934
In 1934, Gil Robles provoked a government crisis and secured three ministerial positions for CEDA. Socialists interpreted this as a surrender to the Second Republic’s enemies. The UGT, with limited CNT participation, called general strikes in major cities. The strikes had limited success, primarily in Asturias and Catalonia, due to government declaration of war and poor organization.
In Asturias, miners launched a social revolution following the general strike. They occupied mining towns, Civil Guard barracks, and Oviedo, prepared to defend the revolution. The government sent the Legion from Africa, led by Franco, to suppress the uprising. The repression after the revolt was fierce.
The October Revolution resulted in over 1,450 deaths and more than 2,000 injuries. In Catalonia, President Lluís Companys proclaimed the Catalan Republic on October 6. A labor alliance (PSOE, UGT, and the Rabassaires) organized a general strike. However, due to the CNT’s non-intervention, low participation, and the arrival of the army under General Batet, the rebellion failed. Azaña, who was in Barcelona, was imprisoned, and several strike committee leaders, including Largo Caballero, were arrested in Madrid.
The consequences of the October Revolution were significant. The anti-liberal right viewed the events as confirmation of a planned labor revolution against bourgeois republicans. This reinforced their belief that military organizations were the only solution. Workers suffered severe repression, generating outrage and calls for amnesty. Azaña became a political martyr due to government persecution. He formed a new party, the Republican Left (1934), which joined with the Galician Autonomous Republican Organization (ORGA). Martínez Barrio and Casares Quiroga formed the Republican Union (1934), composed of radicals and radical-socialists.