The Tumultuous Second Spanish Republic: A Concise History
The Tumultuous Second Spanish Republic
Following 31 called elections, the Republicans emerged victorious, leading to the Republic proclamation. This marked the creation of a new government and the Second Republic, characterized by constituent elections, amnesty, and social and political freedoms. The government approved a statute outlining its structure.
Urgent Actions and Catalan Autonomy
Immediate actions were taken to address the situation in Catalonia and to prohibit the expulsion of peasants who had not paid their dues. Macià proclaimed a Catalan Republic and accepted the decision of Parliament in exchange for autonomy. The 1931 Constitution was established, emphasizing secularism and universal suffrage.
Economic Crisis and Political Tensions
The Republic faced an integrated economic crisis, marked by reduced imports, peseta devaluation, and worsening business expectations. The previous dictatorship’s attempts to reduce government spending led to increased costs, salary reductions, and social unrest, causing a collapse in the investment goods industry.
ERC won the 1931 elections, and Macià became the Republican president, negotiating with Spain. This resulted in the Catalan Republic’s transition to a provisional government and the drafting of the Autonomy Statute. The Nuria Statute was formed, granting Catalonia autonomous status within Spain, with sovereignty residing in the Catalan people and a government with defined powers. It was approved in 1932.
The Front Popolo and Political Polarization
The 1936 elections were pivotal, presenting two main coalitions: Cat (F. Esquerres/F. Català Order) and Esp (F. Popular / B. Nacional). The left aimed to return to policy reform, while the right sought a conservative Republic. The F. Popular won, and Azaña became the Republican president, forming the Quiroga government.
Reforms and Social Climate
The government undertook reforms, including political amnesty, the reinstatement of dismissed workers, the retaking of settlements by peasants, and the advancement of autonomous processes (Statutes for Catalonia, Galicia, and the Basque Country). These reforms aimed for general involvement and the transfer of state power. However, the climate of social stress led to negative reactions. The opposition criticized government measures, and F. jons gained prominence, leading to Spanish Revolution demonstrations in the streets.
The Biennium Left (1931-1933)
In the 1931 election, President Alcalá Zamora led the Republic, with M. Azaña as the head of government. Key reforms included:
- Military Reform: Removing monarchist officers through retirement.
- Religious Issue: Limiting the Church’s influence in Spain, emphasizing non-confessionality, and enacting the Congregations Act.
- Agrarian Reform: Eliminating large estates and improving rural conditions through the Agrarian Reform Law, which aimed to distribute expropriated land to farmers (though implementation was slow due to budget constraints and resistance from landowners).
- Education and Culture: Promoting free, secular, compulsory, and mixed education, leading to the creation of many schools and educational missions.
- Labor Reforms: Enacting the Labor Contracts Law and establishing Labor Courts.
The 1933 revolution, marked by events like Casas Viejas, faced brutal police repression against anarchists. Azaña resigned, leading to new elections.
The Biennium Black (1933-1936)
In November 1933, right-wing parties won, including the Radical PR (Lerroux) and EDC (Gil-Robles). This led to a brake on reforms initiated by the left:
- Military amnesty for Sanjurjo.
- Slowing down Agrarian Reform and the Basque Statute.
- Maintaining reforms only in culture and education.
The reaction to this conservative turn led to collaboration between moderate Republicans (I. Prieto) and a radical sector (Largo) advocating for social revolution. CEDA’s entry into the government and the appointment of 3 women to ministerial portfolios by Lerroux in 1934 heightened tensions. Fears of a move towards fascism triggered a UGT general strike and uprisings in Asturias, where miners, supported by the CNT, formed a Red Army and occupied nearly all areas, facing strong repression. In Catalonia, the government announced a political revolt, and L. Companys proclaimed a Republic (an attempt to pressure and maintain autonomy), which ultimately failed.
CEDA gained influence and sought to change the Constitution, but this was thwarted by corruption scandals in 1935. Consequently, A. Zamora refused to grant power to CEDA and called for elections in 1936.