The Second Spanish Republic: Reform and Conflict

The Fall of the Monarchy and the Pact of San Sebastian

In 1930, the Pact of San Sebastian united three major political forces: the Constitutionalists, the historical Republicans, and the Socialist Party. Their alliance was derived from two primary lines of action: a revolutionary political manifesto and a coordinated effort to topple the monarchy.

The Birth of the Second Spanish Republic

The Republican-Socialist Biennium began following the municipal elections of April 12, 1931. Amidst a climate of uncertainty, the majority of representatives were elected from left-wing parties and the PSOE.

The 1931 Constitution and Democratic Rights

In 1931, a new Constitution was established, enshrining popular sovereignty, democratic rights, and a secular state. It introduced universal suffrage and recognized fundamental freedoms, including:

• Freedom of religion and expression
• Rights of association and assembly
• Right to demonstration

The document defined Spain as a "republic of workers of any kind, organized in a regime of liberty and justice." It introduced new symbols, including the tricolor flag and heraldry, while recognizing municipal autonomy and the status of regional nationalities. It also recognized the languages of these nationalities alongside Castilian, abolished the action of war, and established agreements with the League of Nations. Niceto Alcalá-Zamora served as the first President, with Manuel Azaña as the Head of Government.

Religious and Educational Reforms

Following the burning of convents in May 1931, the government spent two years implementing significant reforms:

• Religious Issue: The state enforced the separation of church and state (secularism) and the dissolution of the Society of Jesus.
• Education: Progressive education methods replaced traditional religious teaching. The government banned religious congregations from teaching, increased teacher salaries, and improved training to address a 44% illiteracy rate.

Military and Agrarian Restructuring

Military Reform: Manuel Azaña introduced early retirement with full pay for officers, reduced military jurisdiction, closed the General Academy of Zaragoza, and created the Assault Guard (urban police).

Agrarian Reform: The 1932 Agrarian Reform Law, passed in September, aimed to modernize technical efficiency, redistribute land, combat absenteeism, and end feudal remnants in the field. Key measures included:

• An official 8-hour working week
• The creation of the Institute of Agrarian Reform to finance, plan, and supervise the process

The Right-Wing Biennium and Social Unrest

In 1933, the first biennium ended when President Niceto Alcalá-Zamora dissolved parliament. The subsequent elections were won by the center-right coalition, notably the Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Rights (CEDA) led by Gil Robles. This period was marked by instability and violence. In 1934, a violent insurrection broke out, aiming to continue social reforms and stop the advance of fascism; the revolution was crushed, resulting in 30,000 prisoners.

The Popular Front and the Path to Civil War

President Niceto called for new elections in February 1936, which were won by the Popular Front (FP)—a coalition of Republican, nationalist, and leftist forces. They sought to reinstate the reforms of the first biennium. Meanwhile, the Right remained divided among the CEDA, the National Bloc, and the Traditionalist Radical Party (Falange de las JONS).

In July, the murder of Lieutenant Castillo of the Assault Guards triggered a retaliatory response: the murder of Calvo Sotelo. These events sparked the military uprisings and the Spanish Civil War, which concluded in 1939.