Key Moments of the Spanish Second Republic: Elections and Proclamation

Legislative Elections of February 1936

This document, extracted from a history book, reflects the results of the legislative elections held on February 16, 1936. It details the outcomes in the four Catalan provinces and Barcelona city. The two main contesting forces were the Left Front and the Catalan Front (Dorda).

The elections of February 16, 1936, were the last legislative elections to occur during the Spanish Second Republic before the outbreak of the Civil War. The political scene was sharply divided into two major, strongly opposed groups. These elections were highly significant as they followed the events of October 1934. Victory was proclaimed by the Popular Front, an alliance formed by all left-wing parties.

In these elections, the Popular Front achieved widespread success. As shown in the accompanying table (not provided in the original text, but implied), they secured a wide margin in all provinces except Lleida, where the results were more evenly matched. The Left achieved significant success, winning 41 deputies compared to 13 for the Right.

Proclamation of the Spanish Second Republic

On April 12, 1931, municipal elections were held across Spain. Republican-socialist candidates triumphed in all major cities. Consequently, on April 14, the Republic was proclaimed, leading to King Alfonso XIII's decision to resign and go into exile.

Following the king's departure, a provisional government was formed, agreed upon in the Pact of San Sebastián. This government comprised socialists, republicans, and regionalists. Niceto Alcalá-Zamora was appointed President, and Manuel Azaña became Head of Government.

The provisional government's first actions included holding elections for the Cortes and granting amnesty for political prisoners. It also established the legal framework for government decisions, pending future parliamentary sanction. Political and trade union freedoms were proclaimed, and senior administrative positions were filled. Urgent measures were also initiated concerning the military, agrarian reform, and the economic crisis.

The most significant challenge arose in Catalonia, where Francesc Macià proclaimed the Catalan Republic within an Iberian Federation. A swift intervention by the provisional government in Barcelona persuaded Macià to accept a provisional self-government, pending future decisions by the Cortes. Alcalá-Zamora traveled to Barcelona to ratify the agreement and affirm the good relations between the Government of Catalonia and the Republic.