Spanish Popular Front 1936: Formation, Government, and Coup

The Popular Front (February 1936 - July 1936)

The harsh repression against the *left* during the *right-wing* biennium enabled the union of forces against the conservative government. The election on February 16, 1936, formed two blocks of clear antagonism: the Right and Left.

1. The Elections of February 1936

The parties of the *left* were grouped in the Popular Front, an electoral coalition based on a common program that defended the position of amnesty for those jailed for the 1934 revolution of October, restoration of fees and jobs for those retaliated against for political reasons, and the application of amended legislation that was suspended by the radical coalition succeeded by CEDA (Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Rights). The *right-wing parties did not present* a single confessional candidate for all of Spain and wrote a popular, consensual electoral program. The Front won 48% of the vote and became the winning force. The signed agreement on the agenda of the new Popular Front government consisted only of Republicans. Manuel Azaña was named President of the Republic and Casares Quiroga, Head of Government.

2. The Government of the Popular Front

The new government quickly put into *motion the* program agreed upon in the electoral coalition. An amnesty was decreed, and the interrupted reformist process of 1933 was resumed. The *left-wing* parties and trade unions launched a popular mobilization. In cities, strikes were called to demand better working conditions. In the countryside, especially Andalusia and Extremadura, laborers, anticipating legislation, occupied the land. The new position was received by the Right with absolute rejection. The confrontation spread from February to July 1936 throughout the country.

3. To the Coup

A climate of violence was a strategy favored by sectors that decided to organize a military coup against the Republic. In the beginning, the military conspiracy had little strength and poor organization. The most prominent figure was General Emilio Mola. To stop the coup rumors, the government transferred the generals most involved in the plots but did not dare to dismiss them. The military conspiracy was supported by the political forces of the Right. They also established contact with Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany. On July 14 in Madrid, the murder of Jose Calvo Sotelo occurred. His death accelerated coup plans, and the revolt began in Morocco on July 17, giving rise to a civil war that would last for three years.

VI. Conclusion

The Second Democratic Republic was an attempt to solve the old problems of Spain, but it was a failed attempt. It has been said that Primo de Rivera was able to govern but did not make reforms, while the Republic made reforms but could not govern. Indeed, in an unfavorable international context for democracy, the reformers were crushed by the backlash of the wealthy, on one hand, and the impatience of the masses, on the other.