The Second Spanish Republic: History, Reforms, and Conflict

Unit 7: The Second Spanish Republic

7.1 Social Problems and the Constitution of 1931

Following the resignation of Primo de Rivera, King Alfonso XIII commissioned General Dámaso Berenguer to form a government to restore the 1876 system. On August 17, 1930, the Pact of San Sebastián was signed, establishing an interim government to implement the Republic and grant autonomy to Catalonia. After Berenguer resigned, Admiral Juan Bautista Aznar attempted to restore constitutional normality through elections, which the Republicans won decisively. Consequently, Alfonso XIII went into exile in Rome.

The new Constitution was approved by the Cortes on December 9, 1931. It was a progressive, non-conservative document. Its most important features included:

• Local and regional autonomy
• Popular sovereignty
• Secularism
• Separation of executive, legislative, and judicial powers
• Universal female suffrage
• Comprehensive individual and social rights

7.2 The First Republican Biennium

Following the resignation of Alcalá-Zamora, Manuel Azaña assumed leadership, taking major steps to reform the state and society:

• Land Reform: Land distribution among farmers via the Land Reform Institute.
• Labor Reform: Establishment of Joint Committees, municipal laws, and an 8-hour workday.
• Military Reforms: Reducing the political power of the military, decreasing the number of officers, and creating the Assault Guard.
• Educational Reform: Secularizing education, training new teachers, and recognizing the right to use regional dialects.
• Church Reform: Abolition of the Jesuit order, removal of the church budget, and restrictions on religious schools engaging in commercial activities.

In the summer of 1931, protests erupted because the land reform was slow and helped few families, eventually leading to the Casas Viejas massacre (Cádiz). In 1932, General Sanjurjo led an uprising against the Republic, which was successfully suppressed.

7.3 The Rightist Biennium (1933–1936)

The 1933 elections were won by rightist forces led by Lerroux, who halted most of Azaña's initiatives, increasing tension among the peasantry. In October 1934, Gil Robles (CEDA) provided parliamentary support to Lerroux, triggering further conflict. This period saw strikes promoted by anarchists and communists, the suspension of the Catalan Statute, and the Asturian miners' revolt, which was suppressed by the army under Franco amidst significant political corruption.

7.4 The Popular Front (February–July 1936)

Given the instability, elections were called in February 1936, which the Popular Front (a coalition of Republicans and leftists) won. Azaña prepared to resume the initiatives of the first biennium. However, political polarization intensified as opposition groups took to the streets to discredit the government. These tensions culminated in a military coup led by General Mola, supported by segments of the army and civilians, which was ignited by the assassination of Calvo Sotelo.