Spain's Second Republic: Politics, Reforms & Crisis (1931-36)

The Second Republic's Genesis

Following King Alfonso XIII charging Admiral Aznar with forming a government, municipal elections were called for April 12, 1931. The republican victories led to the proclamation of the Second Republic. This stage saw significant political atomization and increasing radicalization.

Political Landscape of the Second Republic

The political spectrum was highly fragmented:

Right Wing

• Bloque Nacional: Led by Calvo Sotelo, representing monarchist interests, large landowners, and the bourgeoisie, with fascist affinities.
• Carlists: Supporters of the old regime, led by the Count of Rodezno.
• Renovación Española: Monarchist party.
• CEDA (Confederación Española de Derechas Autónomas): Led by José María Gil-Robles, representing Catholic interests and lower-middle classes.
• Falange Española de las JONS: Totalitarian party formed by the merger of Falange Española (led by José Antonio Primo de Rivera) and JONS (led by Ramiro Ledesma).
• Lliga Regionalista: Catalan regionalist party led by Francesc Cambó.

Center

• Progressive Republicans: Led by Niceto Alcalá Zamora (Catholic Republican) and Miguel Maura (Conservative Republican Party), representing middle classes.
• Radical Republican Party (PRR): Led by Alejandro Lerroux.
• PNV (Partido Nacionalista Vasco): Basque nationalist party, conservative and Catholic.

Left Wing

• Republican Left (Izquierda Republicana): Led by Manuel Azaña.
• Radical Socialist Republican Party (PRRS): Linked to intellectuals and urban middle classes.
• Republican Union (Unión Republicana): Led by Diego Martínez Barrio.
• Workers' Parties:
  • PSOE (Partido Socialista Obrero Español) and its union UGT (Unión General de Trabajadores).
  • PCE (Partido Comunista de España).
  • CNT (Confederación Nacional del Trabajo): Anarcho-syndicalist union (with moderate and radical factions).
  • POUM (Partido Obrero de Unificación Marxista): Anti-Stalinist Marxist party.
• Catalan Nationalists: Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC).

The 1931 Constitution: A Workers' Republic

Key features of the 1931 Constitution included:

• Declaration of Spain as a "republic of workers of all classes."
• An overall state structure with a single legislative chamber (Cortes).
• Head of State (President) with a seven-year mandate.
• Establishment of fundamental rights and duties.
• Church-State Relations: Establishment of a secular republic, separation of church and state, introduction of divorce and civil marriage.
• Guarantee of individual basic rights, freedom of religion, and secular education.

The Reformist Biennium (1931-1933)

Under President Niceto Alcalá Zamora and Prime Minister Manuel Azaña, significant reforms were undertaken:

• Religious Question: Legislation limited the Church's influence, leading to antagonism from religious sectors.
• Land Reform: Aimed at addressing unequal land ownership by redistributing land. The IRA (Institute for Agrarian Reform) was created. This led to increased social tensions, culminating in events like the Casas Viejas incident (where Guardia de Asalto burned houses, including that of anarchist "Seisdedos").
• Autonomic Reform: The Generalitat of Catalonia was established as an autonomous government, headed by Francesc Macià, provoking protests from conservative and some intellectual sectors.
• Army Reform: Offered retirement options to reduce officer surplus, unified promotion ladders based on merit, and abolished the Captaincy General rank (capitanías generales).
• Social Reforms: Led by Minister of Labour Largo Caballero, aimed at improving workers' conditions.
• Educational Reforms: Made primary education compulsory and free, expanded secular education, created thousands of teaching posts, and promoted culture through initiatives like the Misiones Pedagógicas.

An attempted coup led by General Sanjurjo in August 1932 failed, and he was initially sentenced to death (later commuted).

The Center-Right Biennium (1933-1935)

The CEDA won the 1933 elections but initially supported governments led by the Radical Party. Their policies aimed to reverse or halt previous reforms, leading to radicalization among the PSOE and UGT.

In October 1934, the entry of CEDA ministers into the government provoked a revolutionary crisis:

• Catalonia: Lluís Companys proclaimed a Catalan State within the Spanish Federal Republic, which was quickly suppressed.
• Asturias: A major miners' uprising occurred, becoming the focal point of the revolution. Its suppression was harsh and had tremendous consequences. Key figures like Indalecio Prieto went into exile.

The end of this period saw the discrediting of the Radical Party due to corruption scandals like the Estraperlo affair (rigged roulette) and another involving shipping compensation.

The 1936 Elections and Escalating Crisis

The February 16, 1936 elections were won by the Popular Front, a coalition of left-wing parties. In Catalonia, the Front d'Esquerres (Left Front) won. The PNV contested elections alone in the Basque Country. Right-wing forces were disunited.

The Popular Front victory occurred amidst rising political violence and polarization. They secured wins in major cities. Immediately, the most reactionary sectors began conspiring against the Republic. Social conflict intensified, particularly in the south, with land occupations by laborers and high tension in parliament, setting the stage for the Spanish Civil War.