Spain's Tumultuous Transition: Monarchy, Dictatorship, and the Second Republic (1902–1936)

The Crisis of the Restoration and Alfonso XIII

Alfonso XIII's reign was marked by the political problems inherent in the Restoration system (Restauración). The political system suffered from a profound lack of credibility and sustainability.

Political Instability and New Forces

Worker demands increased significantly. New political forces began to acquire influence, challenging the established order:

• The PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party)
• Regionalist forces
• Republican forces

The 1917 Crisis

The crisis of 1917 saw widespread unrest. The military intervened, attempting to maintain the monarchy, which resulted in the Army once again becoming a crucial pillar of the government and the crown.

The Primo de Rivera Dictatorship (1923–1930)

The King's Role and the End of Parliament

The Primo de Rivera coup (September 1923) effectively ended the parliamentary monarchy. Alfonso XIII clearly favored the Nationalist generals and ordered the formation of a new government under the dictator.

Conclusion: Spain ceased to be a parliamentary monarchy and became an authoritarian regime. The transition to authoritarian rule was swift and achieved temporary stability.

The Second Spanish Republic (1931)

The Bloodless Regime Change

The regime change occurred on April 14, 1931, following municipal election results that favored republican candidates.

• Method: The transition was largely bloodless.
• Attitude of the King: Romanones, Minister of State, advised Alfonso XIII to leave Spain to avoid civil conflict. General Sanjurjo's refusal to support the monarchy sealed the King's fate, initiating his exile.

The Church and the New Republic

The Episcopate (Church leadership) initially sought collaboration with the Republic. The Vatican Nuncio in Madrid emphasized that the new leadership must respect Christians, leading the Church to attempt cooperation with the nascent Republic.

The Constituent Cortes and the 1931 Constitution

The Constituent Cortes were tasked with drafting a new constitution.

• Chamber President: Julián Besteiro.
• Measures Taken: The Cortes immediately began implementing secularizing reforms, often designating the religious order as a risk to state security. The budget for the clergy was canceled, and authority was distributed between the Church and civil institutions (separation of Church and State).

Key Constitutional Provisions

The Constitution of 1931 established:

• State Type: Democratic and secular.
• Suffrage: The right of universal suffrage was extended to women.
• Property: Public interest was prioritized over absolute property rights, allowing for the expropriation of property for public utility.

Educational and Religious Reforms

Educational Innovation

The Republic believed that Spain's societal problems could be overcome through a proper system of education.

• Dimensions: Secular teaching methods and advanced education were implemented.
• Religious Measures: The dissolution of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and the elimination of religious congregations' role in education were decreed.

Political Polarization and Radicalization

The Casas Viejas Incident (1933)

The brutal suppression of the anarchist uprising in Casas Viejas caused widespread indignation and was viewed as a crime against the Spanish people. Debates in Congress led to harsh accusations against the government.

Effects:

• Distrust between the working class, the Left, and the Republic increased significantly.
• The anarchist trade union CNT and the FAI became increasingly radicalized.
• The moderate reformist theory of the Socialist UGT was rejected, leading to the radical shift of leaders like Francisco Largo Caballero.

Major Political Factions

Socialist and Republican Leaders

The main groups of the Left included:

• PSOE: Francisco Largo Caballero, Julián Besteiro, Indalecio Prieto.
• Republican Action: Manuel Azaña, Santiago Casares Quiroga.
• Radical Republicans: Alejandro Lerroux.

Communist and Reformist Figures

• The Communist Party: Dolores Ibárruri (La Pasionaria).
• Reformist Action: Lluís Companys, Miguel Maura.

The Popular Front and the Uprising

The Popular Front Coalition (1936)

The Popular Front was a coalition formed to contest the 1936 elections.

• Composition: Primarily Republicans and Socialists, alongside other left-wing parties.
• Program: The coalition aimed to reset the reform policies of the early Republic and grant amnesty for those arrested during the 1934 October Revolution (Asturias).

The July 17 Military Uprising

The military conspiracy culminated on July 17, 1936, marking the beginning of the Spanish Civil War.

• A group of soldiers in Melilla rose up and proclaimed a state of war in the Moroccan Protectorate.
• General Franco, stationed in the Canary Islands, took command of the Army of Africa and headed toward Tetuán"