The Spanish Second Republic: From Radical Reforms to the Civil War
The Spanish Second Republic (1931-1939)
The Radical-CEDA Biennium (1933-1936)
Dissatisfaction with the Republic’s reforms among economic, social, and ideological groups (church, landowners, employers’ organizations, anarchists, monarchists, military) led to the reorganization of the right. These groups considered the reforms too radical and felt they represented a loss of power. Azaña lost popular support, the army ignored the demands of employers, and the right underestimated the organization of the left.
Political alignments shifted. The Radical Party, led by Lerroux, formed a centrist coalition with business, merchant, and landowner groups. Opposing them on the left were the Socialists and Communists. The right, including monarchists, Catholics, and conservatives, opposed land reforms, religious changes, and nationalist movements.
The CEDA (Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Rights), led by Gil Robles, emerged in 1933, advocating for religion and property rights and seeking constitutional change. Other right-wing groups included Renovación Española, led by José Calvo Sotelo, and the Falange Española, a fascist group founded by José Antonio Primo de Rivera in 1933.
An attempted coup in 1932, known as the Sanjurjada, was led by the Spanish Military Union (EMU), a clandestine organization of right-wing military officers opposed to the Republic’s reforms. The EMU played a significant role in the 1936 coup.
The 1933 Elections and the Black Biennium
The relationship between Socialists and Republicans deteriorated before the 1933 elections, leading to their separation. Azaña resigned, Alcalá Zamora dissolved Parliament, and new elections were called. These were the first elections in which women voted, although their participation was minimal.
The left presented separate candidates, while the right united, leading to a victory for the Radical Party and the CEDA. This period became known as the Black Biennium. Lerroux became head of government and reversed many of the previous government’s reforms.
Key events during the Black Biennium:
- Agrarian reform stalled, and land was returned to previous owners.
- Public administration positions were filled with right-wing supporters.
- Military leadership was given to anti-leftist generals, with Franco appointed as Chief of Staff.
- The education budget was reduced, and the Church regained control over education.
- State maintenance of the clergy was reinstated, and the Jesuits regained their legality and property.
- The Catalan Statute of Autonomy was suspended, leading to major conflicts.
- Participants in the Sanjurjada were released, while those who supported Primo de Rivera were imprisoned.
- Wages were reduced to 1930 levels.
These measures radicalized the PSOE and UGT, leading to strikes and conflicts.
The Revolution of 1934
When Gil Robles demanded CEDA representation in the government, the left saw it as a move towards fascism. The UGT called for a revolutionary general strike to restore the reforms. The strike was largely unsuccessful due to lack of coordination, but it had significant impact in some areas.
In Asturias, the miners’ strike escalated into a social revolution, with anarchists, socialists, and communists forming a working alliance with the UGT and CNT, led by Indalecio Prieto. The revolutionaries seized control of Oviedo and parts of Asturias but were brutally repressed by Franco.
In Catalonia, the revolution was more political. Lluis Companys proclaimed the Catalan Republic and called for a general strike, but it lacked labor support. General Batet easily suppressed the movement, and the Catalan government was replaced by a governor-general.
The government faced a crisis as the CEDA’s power increased. Gil Robles was appointed Minister of War, and Franco became Chief of Staff. An attempt to change the constitution in 1934 failed, but in 1935, the Straperlo corruption scandal forced Lerroux to resign. Alcalá Zamora called for new elections, and Gil Robles assumed leadership of the CEDA.
The Popular Front and the Road to Civil War (1936)
The 1936 elections saw the formation of the Popular Front, a coalition of left-wing Republicans and two labor parties. The Popular Front’s program included amnesty for those imprisoned after the 1934 revolution and the resumption of reforms. Both the CNT and the Socialists supported the Popular Front directly or indirectly.
The CEDA joined forces with the Bloque Nacional (Monarchists and Traditionalists). The elections saw a 72% voter turnout. The Popular Front won 48% of the vote, thanks to support in coastal areas and large cities, while the right received 46.5%, primarily from rural areas. The center received only 5.4%.
A new Republican government was formed with parliamentary support from the Socialists. Manuel Azaña was named President of the Republic, despite opposition from the military and the right. Casares Quiroga became Prime Minister.
The CNT, considering the government too conservative, remained in opposition, leading to strikes and unrest. The right radicalized, particularly the Falange Española, creating a hostile national environment. A military conspiracy, led by General Mola, began to take shape.
The Military Conspiracy and the Outbreak of the Civil War
The conspiracy involved a simultaneous uprising in several areas, especially Madrid and Barcelona, with a key role for troops stationed in Spanish Morocco. The government, aware of the plot, attempted to disperse potentially rebellious generals. Mola was sent to Navarra and Franco to the Canary Islands.
The conspiracy had the support of right-wing political forces. Its objectives were to halt the reforms, restore public order, and establish a government based on a military directory.
The assassination of Republican Lieutenant Castillo, followed by the revenge killing of Calvo Sotelo, accelerated the coup plans, which were launched in Morocco. This marked the beginning of the Spanish Civil War, ending the Second Republic.