Key Figures and Concepts of the Spanish Republic Era

Identify Key Figures

• Alcalá Zamora: First president of the republican government and first resident of the republic.
• Lerroux: Leader of the Radical Party and head of the government during the consecutive biennium.
• Largo Caballero: President of the republic in September 1936.
• Franco: Military leader who started leading the rebels in October 1936.
• Negrín: President of the republic in 1937 with the support of the communists.

Define Key Concepts

• Popular Front: Coalition of left-wing republicans to contest the elections of February 1936.
• Militia: Voluntary civilian force organized by unions or political parties who fought in the war on the side of the republic.
• Problem of Land Ownership: Problem consisted of hundreds of thousands of landless workers living in extreme poverty while property was owned by a few hundred landowners (latifundia).
• Non-Intervention Committee: Committee formed by France and Britain that remained neutral.
• CEDA: Right coalition that emerged during the republic.
• Conservative Biennium: Revolution from above, which included minor fiscal reform and regulation of workers.
• Tragic Week: A popular uprising in Barcelona, originally caused by opposition to the recruitment of soldiers for the war in Morocco.

Explain the Differences

Militias vs. International Brigades

• Militias: Voluntary civilian forces organized by political parties.
• International Brigades: Volunteers from all over the world who fought with the republicans.

Nationalists vs. Republicans

• Nationalists: Rebels that supported the coup.
• Republicans: People loyal to the legitimate government in 1936.

Reformist Biennium vs. Conservative Biennium

• Reformist Biennium: Biennium in which the left-wing governed.
• Conservative Biennium: Biennium in which the right-wing parties governed.

Answer the Questions

A) What were the most significant measures taken during the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera?

Primo de Rivera suspended the constitution, banned political parties, reduced freedoms, and suppressed the Commonwealth of Catalonia. He also authorized several public works and ordered the Alhucemas landing.

B) How did Spain go from being a monarchy to a republic? Who signed the Pact of San Sebastian?

The international economic crash made Primo de Rivera resign. Berenguer attempted to return to the previous system but was unsuccessful. The opposition signed the Pact of San Sebastian in August 1930. Berenguer was replaced by Aznar, who called for elections in which the Republicans won.

C) What reforms were undertaken by the republican regime during the reformist biennium (1931–1933)?

Reforms included:

• Army reform: Retirement of military officers.
• Religious reform: Secular education.
• Territorial reforms: Statutes of autonomy.
• Agrarian reforms.

D) What were the root causes of the outbreak of the civil war?

The root causes were the triumph of the Popular Front, polarization and tension between the left and right, and the failed coup.

E) What international support did each side receive?

The Soviet Union supported the republicans. Italy, Germany, and Portugal supported the rebels.