Clara Campoamor: Winning Women's Suffrage in Spain 1931

Clara Campoamor and Women's Suffrage in 1931

This text is a transcription concerning the right of women to vote and their inclusion in the new Spanish Constitution. Its author is Clara Campoamor, a lawyer and member of the Partido Republicano Radical (Radical Republican Party). It was written on September 1, 1931, during the constitutional process of the Second Spanish Republic.

The Second Republic: Constitutional Context

The 1931 elections resulted in a preference for the Republic over the Monarchy, leading King Alfonso XIII to permit the formation of a Republican government. A provisional government was constituted, presided over by Niceto Alcalá-Zamora. This government called for general elections and began drafting a new constitution.

The subsequent elections were held in October. While Alcalá-Zamora remained President of the Republic, the presidency of the reformist government shifted to Manuel Azaña. The constitutional process continued, featuring several controversial points, notably the issue of women's suffrage. The final draft of the constitutional text was approved in December 1931.

Defense of Suffrage and Eligibility

The document highlights Clara Campoamor's strong defense of women's right to vote. Notably, the Law of May 8, 1931, had already made women eligible to serve as deputies. This meant that although women could not yet cast ballots, they were permitted to be members of Parliament.

Clara Campoamor actively sought to encourage all members of the chambers to vote in favor of women's suffrage. She argued that since the proposed constitution was highly advanced and liberal, denying women the vote would be contradictory. If approved, Spain would become one of the first countries to grant universal feminine suffrage.

The Debate: Campoamor vs. Kent

The measure sparked a significant controversy, primarily between Clara Campoamor (Radical Party) and Victoria Kent (Socialist Party).

Victoria Kent's Position

Victoria Kent argued that it was not the opportune moment for women to vote; rather, they should vote after a period of learning and preparation. Kent did not oppose women's suffrage permanently, but she insisted on timing. She feared that the influence of the Church on women voters could lead to a surge in votes for conservative or radical parties.

Clara Campoamor's Position

In contrast, Clara Campoamor asserted that women must vote immediately. She maintained that if they made political mistakes, they would learn from them and subsequently improve their political judgment.

Constitutional Approval and 1933 Elections

Initially, there was consideration given to restricting suffrage only to single women and widows. However, the final decision, enshrined in the Constitution, was to grant the right to vote to all women.

The first elections featuring women's votes took place in 1933, following the approval of the Constitution. The results of these elections saw the victory of the Right party.

Separate Context: Industrial Workers in the Second Republic Era

In conclusion (regarding a separate topic), we could summarize the situation of industrial workers (particularly in mines) as precarious: their labor was hard, and they were easily replaced. They organized their protests by organizing demonstrations and strikes. It appeared that the government prioritized the concerns of the owners over those of the workers.

Furthermore, a significant portion of the workforce, particularly those migrating to areas like the Basque Country, faced desperate circumstances. In addition to the hard working conditions, they were often foreigners and frequently rejected by local populations.