Spain's Second Republic: Provisional Government and the 1931 Constitution

Provisional Government and the Constitution of 1931

In the municipal elections of April 12, 1931, the Republican coalition obtained an absolute majority. This victory forced Alfonso XIII to flee the country and led to the peaceful proclamation of the Republic.

After the exile of the king and the proclamation of the Republic, the stage of the Interim Government began:

• It brought together all republican forces (right, center, and left). Monarchists and radical leftist groups (anarchists and communists) were excluded.
• It immediately began a series of reforms affecting the structure of the army, the territorial organization of the state, agrarian poverty, and relations between Church and State.

Regarding the conflicts arising from the new arrangements with other institutions, the clash between the Republic and the Catholic Church hierarchy stands out. This conflict had a significant impact on large parts of the country and affected Catholics even within the Provisional Government itself. During this period, two facts of great significance must be highlighted:

Key Events Leading to the Constitution

• The elections to the Constituent Cortes, which resulted in the triumph of the coalition of Republicans and Socialists, contrasting with the low representation of anti-Republican right-wing forces.
• The influence of the leftist electoral victory on the drafting of the Constitution of 1931, which was ultimately adopted without consensus.

Main Features of the 1931 Constitution

• Establishment of a democratic and non-confessional Republic.
• An ample bill of rights and freedoms.
• Clear separation of Church and State.
• Respect for private property, but subordinate to the interests of the national economy.
• A new territorial organization of the State, based on the compatibility of national unity with the right of regions to autonomy.

Impact of the Global Economic Crisis

Finally, the international situation was very important. The establishment of the Republic coincided with the Global Economic Crisis (1929–1933). Although the effects were less severe in Spain than in other European countries, the negative performance of the economy hindered the implementation of reforms and intensified social conflict, creating serious problems for the life of the Republic.