Key Phases and Political Shifts of the Second Spanish Republic

The Second Republic (I)

The Establishment of the Republic

The Second Republic was proclaimed, and a provisional government called an election. It was formed by:

• Republicans
• Socialists
• Nationalists

This election gave a majority to the left-wing parties, who were tasked with writing a new constitution. The Constitution of 1931 was highly advanced, establishing:

• Freedom of expression and association
• Popular sovereignty
• Universal suffrage, including women

It also recognized:

• Divorce
• Separation between church and state
• Regional autonomy

After it was passed, Niceto Alcalá-Zamora was elected the first president, and Manuel Azaña became the Prime Minister. The Republic passed through three phases:

1. A two-year period of reforms (bienio reformista)
2. A two-year period of conservative government (bienio conservador)
3. The Popular Front Government

Reformist Period (1931–1933)

The government of Azaña was a coalition of republicans and socialists. Important reforms were implemented:

• Agrarian reform: Uncultivated lands were given to peasants.
• Labor reform: The working week was fixed at 40 hours.
• Military reform: The number of army officers was reduced.
• Regional autonomy: An autonomy law for Catalonia was passed, with equal laws projected for the Basque Country and Galicia.
• Church and State: Influence of the church was restricted; divorce and civil marriage were accepted, and religious orders were banned from education.
• Public education: Promoted through the creation of 10,000 public schools and thousands of new teaching jobs.

Opinions on the reforms: The right wing thought the reforms were too radical, while the left wing believed they had not gone far enough. As a result, Azaña resigned and new elections were held in November 1933.

The Second Republic (II)

The Conservative Period (1933–1936)

In the November 1933 elections, the CEDA (Confederación Española de Derechas Autónomas) received the most votes. CEDA formed a coalition government with the Partido Radical de Centro, led by Alejandro Lerroux. Although Lerroux was named president, the extreme right-wing ideas of some CEDA sectors radicalized the situation.

The new coalition suspended most of the previous government's reforms. When important members of the CEDA entered the government in 1934, protests developed into the October Revolution of 1934:

• In Asturias: Miners started a rebellion and blocked Oviedo for two weeks. The revolt was repressed by the army from Morocco, led by General Franco.
• In Barcelona: The autonomous government proclaimed the Catalan Republic. The movement was suppressed, the Statute of Autonomy was abolished, and the Generalitat was dissolved.

Elections were called in 1936 due to protests against the repression, economic problems, and political corruption.