The Reformist Biennium of the Second Spanish Republic (1931-1933)

The Reformist Biennium: 1931–1933

The period from 14 April 1931 to November 1933 marked a transformative era for the Second Spanish Republic, characterized by significant legislative efforts to modernize the state.

1. Religious Reformation

The state moved to separate from the Church and curb its influence. Key actions included:

• Expulsion of the Jesuits: The congregation was deemed too powerful.
• Legislative Restrictions: Laws were drafted to prohibit religious orders from participating in education, trade, and industry.
• Public Education: The government established thousands of public schools to combat high rates of illiteracy.

2. Army Reform

Manuel Azaña sought to demilitarize the regime, limiting the armed forces to external defense. Measures included:

• Retirement Incentives: Officers were offered retirement with full pay to reduce the excessive number of senior positions and associated costs.
• Right-Wing Opposition: In response, the clandestine Unión Militar Española (UME) was formed.

3. Decentralization and Autonomy

• Catalonia: The Republic recognized an autonomous government. The Nuria Statute was approved on 18 August 1931.
• Basque Country: The PNV and Carlists reached an agreement in Estella in 1931, though the resulting draft statute was paralyzed by the outbreak of the Civil War.
• Galicia: A draft statute was ratified by referendum in June 1936, but the war prevented parliamentary approval.

4. Agrarian Reform

Enacted in September 1932, this reform aimed to redistribute land:

• Expropriation: Lands belonging to the Grandees of Spain could be expropriated without compensation.
• Peasantry Impact: While intended to favor the lower-middle class and peasantry, economic challenges and poor implementation left many reforms unfulfilled.
• Social Unrest: The failure to fully realize these goals caused significant unrest among the peasantry, pushing many toward the political right.

Political Transition

Following the failure of these reforms, the leftist government lost its mandate. Alcalá-Zamora accepted Azaña's resignation and dissolved Parliament in October 1933. In the elections of 18 November 1933, the center-right coalition (CEDA) and the Radicals led by Lerroux secured a parliamentary majority.