Second Spanish Republic: 1931 Proclamation and Reforms

Classified in History

Written at on English with a size of 3.27 KB.

Proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic

April 12, 1931: In the elections called by the royalist government of Admiral Aznar, the Republicans achieved a significant victory, especially in large cities. On April 14, Éibar proclaimed the Republic, and the movement spread to other cities. Consequently, Alfonso XIII went into exile. The revolutionary committee assumed the government and proclaimed the Second Republic in the Puerta del Sol. Elections to Parliament were convened for June 28. The interim government launched urgent ministerial decrees addressing agrarian reform, the army, and the initiation of negotiations for Catalan and Basque autonomy. These measures faced opposition from landowners, entrepreneurs, and the Catholic hierarchy.

The 1931 Constitution

December 1931: The new Constitution was adopted after three months of intense debate. It defined Spain as a democratic and progressive state, designating it as a "Republic of workers of all classes." The state was integral, with the possibility of autonomous governments. Legislative power was vested in a unicameral Parliament. Executive power resided in the Council of Ministers and the President of the Republic, elected by Congress. Universal suffrage, both male and female, was established for citizens aged 23 and older. The Constitution extended the bill of rights, including economic and social rights, recognizing the equality of all citizens in their right to education and work. Upon approval of the religious articles of the Constitution, some Catholic sectors in the government resigned. Manuel Azaña replaced Alcalá Zamora as head of government.

Military Reform Under Azaña

Azaña initiated army reform, aiming to create a professional and democratic army, reduce its excessive size (macrocephaly), and ensure its obedience to civil authority. The law encouraged the retirement of officers by offering them the opportunity to retire with full pay and requiring them to pledge loyalty to the regime. The Zaragoza Military Academy was closed to decrease the number of officers. However, the reform was not entirely successful, as too few officers chose to retire. The decline in defense spending occurred at the expense of modernizing military equipment.

Economic Challenges During the Republic

Upon the proclamation of the Republic, bank deposits were withdrawn, and private investment plummeted. In 1933, the right-wing coalition won the elections. The regime change coincided with the economic depression of 1929, adversely affecting exports. The Republic sought to balance the budget, leading to a decline in public expenditure. Consequently, both public and private investment decreased. This, combined with rising wages and reduced working days, lowered corporate profits. Social conflicts arose in Andalusia, Extremadura, and Castilla-La Mancha due to unfulfilled expectations regarding agrarian reform, which, despite being the Republic's largest project, took too long to materialize. In 1933, the CNT (National Confederation of Labor) gained the support of the socialist Largo Caballero, further increasing social unrest and discouraging investment. The economy progressively deteriorated due to the unfavorable international situation and a lack of investor confidence.

Entradas relacionadas: