Spanish Second Republic Reforms (1931-1933): Military, Religious, and Land Changes

Reformist Biennium (1931-1933)

Republican Reforms

The new government launched a two-year task of reforming the country into a secular and democratic decentralized state. It aimed to address some outstanding problems from the previous century.

Military Reform

The government drafted a law on retirement withdrawals that enabled nearly half of the army officers to retire. The military was subjected to civil power, the number of captain-generals was reduced, the military academy in Zaragoza was disbanded, and army commanders were changed.

Religious and Educational Reform

The government also tried to decrease the weight of the Catholic Church and its influence on education. The new constitution separated church and state, abolished the budget for worship and clergy, forbade teaching to religious orders, and disbanded the Company of Jesus.

Land Reform

The constitution opened the way for the decentralization of the state, offering the possibility of establishing autonomous status and autonomous governments. In Catalonia, the provisional government of the Generalitat drafted a statute of autonomy that was approved by the courts in 1932.

Land Reform

The Republic tackled the problem of latifundismo. In parts of Spain, especially in Andalusia and Extremadura, hundreds of thousands of landless laborers lived in extreme poverty, while property was concentrated in the hands of a few owners.

Opposition to Reforms

From Conservatism

Republican reformism faced opposition from large landowners, the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, a part of the army, and large sections of the upper and middle classes. In 1932, a coup led by General Sanjurjo was stopped, but right-wing forces regrouped in the Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Rights.

From the Workers

The UGT and some anarchist nuclei, especially those linked to the FAI, became radicalized. They opted for armed revolutionary action to transform Spanish society. Several uprisings were staged and harshly repressed by the forces of public order.