Spanish Constitution of 1931 and Early Republican Reforms

The Spanish Constitution of 1931

The first step of the new government, headed by Manuel Azaña, was the drafting of a constitution, leading to 1931, whose principles were:

• It defined Spain as a "democratic republic of workers of all kinds," organized in a system of "freedom and justice."
• Proclaimed equality before the law and gave a comprehensive statement of rights.
• The state was unique but admitted possible regional autonomy.
• Recognized private property, although it admitted the possibility of compensation prior to expropriation, provided that the national interest demanded it.
• The courts acquired great power, both legislative and control over the government, and consisted of a single chamber elected by universal suffrage, also including women.
• The government was responsible to the courts; they could withdraw their power at any time.
• It established the separation of church and state. The state is avowedly secular but allowed freedom of religion, suppressed the pay of the clergy and religious teaching, and made possible the dissolution of some religious orders.

Azaña's Reforms and the Challenges of Governance

Military Reform

Azaña pursued a demilitarized political regime. The main reforms Azaña faced were these:

• Officers were provided with the move to the reservation with full salaries.
• Restructuring the Ministry of War.
• The beginning of the demilitarization of Morocco.
• Closure of the Academy of Zaragoza.
• Soldiers serving six months for applicants to a career.
• Recruitment reform.
• Reorganization of the arms industry.
• Creation of the Assault Guard.

Political Opposition and Social Unrest

All this legislative activity prevented its implementation and development. The opposition from conservative sectors came together:

• The military conspiracy of General Sanjurjo, who failed due to the loyalty of the Assault Guard.
• Employers launched campaigns against the government and chose the growing fascism in Europe represented by the Phalanx, led by Primo de Rivera and JONS.
• The reorganization of the right, grouped in the CEDA.
• In the PSOE sector were the revolutionary and the moderate; most of the Radical-Socialist Party ceased to work together with the revolutionary.
• The conflict in the unions, as the CNT, promoted demonstrations, strikes, and even sometimes proclaimed libertarian communism in towns such as Catalonia and Aragon.

In addition, the social unrest and protest from the left due to the slow pace of land reform caused the anarchist uprising that swept away the events of Casas Viejas. This event caused the resignation of Azaña in 1933. The president of the republic dissolved the courts and called new elections.