Establishment of the Second Spanish Republic

The Crisis of the Monarchy

In 1930, to restructure the political parties, new groups were created in favor of the Republic. The main opposition groups met in San Sebastian and negotiated for a revolutionary movement to topple the monarchy, proclaim the republic, accept the Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia, and draft a new constitution (Pact of San Sebastian). They created a revolutionary committee which managed the movement, whose members were later imprisoned. Alfonso XIII replaced the government after General Berenguer with the opposition led by Admiral Aznar. The new head of government received the mandate to convene municipal elections. The elections were considered administrative, a return to the liberal parliamentary system. The opposition called for an end to all prohibitions limiting freedom of the press in anticipation of the election campaign.

The Proclamation of the Republic

The elections of 12 April 1931 became a plebiscite for or against the role of the King and the Dictatorship. In cities where the Republican triumph occurred, the plebiscite against the King resulted in a strong wave of euphoria and a state of opinion favorable to an immediate change. So, on 14 April, the Second Republic was proclaimed, notably in the Catalan capital where the opposition to the monarchy had more force. A new party, Republican Left of Catalonia, was founded, including several Republicans and separatist groups led by Francesc Macià. Lluís Companys proclaimed the Republic, and shortly after, Macià, from the same town hall, proclaimed the Catalan Republic within the Federation of Iberian Republics. When the news arrived in Madrid, the King and some conservative politicians chose to release the revolutionary committee, and the Spanish Republic was proclaimed from the Ministry of the Interior. The King departed for Cartagena en route to exile.

The Opening of a Constituent Process

The Revolutionary Committee became the provisional government under President Alcalá Zamora. Its main mission was to convene general elections to form a Constituent Assembly, which were held on 28 June. The republican-socialist coalition achieved 90% of seats in Congress. A committee was set up tasked with drawing up the draft constitution, which defined the political regime as a democratic workers' Republic, defined as secular, and a democratic republic with a president or head of state whose power was limited. It established a unicameral system with an independent judiciary in charge of ensuring the constitutionality of laws and resolving disputes that occur between the State and autonomous regions. The organization of autonomous regions was a great new feature. The constitution also included a constitutional court and civil law. It was adopted on 9 December 1931.

Progressive Biennium (1931-1933)

The goal was to reform and modernize Spain, under President of the Republic Alcalá Zamora and head of government Manuel Azaña. Reforms included:

• a) Military:
  • Professionalization and democratization of the army (reduced size).
  • Retirement law for officers (many retired).
  • Creation of the Assault Guard (new body loyal to the Republic).
  • Military jurisdictions subject to civilian law (single bill).
  • Limited results and rejection from some sectors.
• b) Religious:
  • Dissolution of the Society of Jesus.
  • Secularization of education (state teaching).
  • Recognition of civil marriage and divorce.
  • Law of Congregations.
  • Regulation and control of activities.
  • Phenomena of violence and anti-republican campaigns (rejection from the church and the military).
• c) Agricultural:
  • The Institute of Agrarian Reform was created.
  • The law provided for the expropriation of estates without compensation.
  • A very complex system of expropriation with compensation failed.
  • Owners organized in associations.
  • Peasants' expectations were dashed.
  • Boycotts and insurrections against the government were protagonized and directed by the CNT, for example.
  • The right-wing government froze the reform and adopted the counter-agrarian law.
• d) Social:
  • Education:
    • Compulsory education.
    • Liberal and secular educational missions were created.
  • Working:
    • Reforms to improve the working conditions of workers and peasants.
  • Problems: Working and peasant unrest.