🔴 El TRIUNFO de la REPÚBLICA y el BIENIO REFORMISTA

Summary

This video lesson explores the early years of the Second Spanish Republic, from the proclamation of the Republic in 1931 to the series of reforms between 1931 and 1933. It covers key events such as the formation of a provisional government, the creation of the 1931 Constitution, and significant reforms in agrarian policy, military, education, and social welfare. Despite the government's efforts to modernize and promote social welfare, these reforms faced strong opposition from various sectors, including the Church, military, and landowners, leading to widespread unrest and failed uprisings.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 1931 municipal elections in Spain saw a victory for republican candidates in most provincial capitals, which led to the exile of King Alfonso XIII and the formation of the Second Spanish Republic.
• 😀 A provisional government, headed by Niceto Alcalá Zamora, was formed and began implementing reforms, including the calling of elections for constituent courts.
• 😀 The Spanish Constitution of 1931 was established, recognizing numerous individual freedoms such as freedom of expression, assembly, and association, and granting universal suffrage (both male and female).
• 😀 The Constitution declared Spain as a secular state, guaranteeing freedom of conscience and the right to receive secular education.
• 😀 The Constitution also allowed for territorial decentralization, enabling the creation of autonomous regions.
• 😀 The Constitution emphasized social welfare, permitting the expropriation of property for public use and boosting public education.
• 😀 Not all factions agreed with the Constitution; moderate republicans became disillusioned with the articles related to religion and left the government in December 1931.
• 😀 Between 1931 and 1933, reforms were enacted, including an agrarian reform to improve the conditions of farmers, although it faced issues with inadequate funding and social unrest.
• 😀 Catalonia gained autonomy with the approval of the Statute of Catalonia in 1932, and the creation of the Generalitat (government).
• 😀 Other significant reforms included military reform, with shorter service terms and a requirement for military leaders to swear loyalty to the republic, and labor reforms, including the establishment of minimum wages and accident insurance.
• 😀 The opposition to these reforms included large landowners, the Catholic Church, and the military, who found the changes too radical. Anarchists and trade unions also pushed for even more profound transformations, leading to violent conflicts and protests, such as the failed 1932 coup attempt and the repression of peasant uprisings.

Q & A

What was the result of the municipal elections on April 12, 1931, and how did it affect the Spanish monarchy?

The municipal elections on April 12, 1931, resulted in a victory for Republican candidates in most provincial capitals, even though the overall result favored the monarchists. This outcome was interpreted as a win for Republicans, leading King Alfonso XIII to go into exile, and the establishment of a provisional government that declared the Second Spanish Republic.

Who were the key figures involved in forming the provisional government after the declaration of the Second Republic?

The provisional government was formed by parties that had signed the Pact of San Sebastián and was presided over by Niceto Alcalá Zamora. The government began implementing reforms and called for elections to a Constituent Cortes.

What were the key features of the 1931 Spanish Constitution?

The 1931 Constitution introduced several key features, including the recognition of individual freedoms (e.g., freedom of expression, assembly, and association), the right to divorce, universal suffrage (both male and female), the establishment of Spain as an aconfessional state, decentralization of territorial governance, and a focus on social welfare (including public education and the expropriation of public goods for the common good).

Why was the Constitution of 1931 controversial?

The Constitution of 1931 was controversial because it did not gain the consensus of the entire population. This led to political tension, street incidents, and conspiracies against the Republic. Additionally, the moderate Republicans left the government in December 1931 due to disagreements over religious provisions in the constitution.

What were the main reforms attempted by Manuel Azaña's government between 1931 and 1933?

Under Manuel Azaña's leadership, the government implemented several reforms, including land redistribution through agrarian reform, the granting of autonomy to Catalonia, military reforms, labor reforms, educational improvements (such as the construction of schools and an increase in education funding), and the regulation of civil marriage and divorce.

What was the goal of the agrarian reform, and what challenges did it face?

The agrarian reform aimed to improve agricultural production and the living conditions of peasants by redistributing uncultivated latifundia (large estates) to landless peasants. However, the reform faced significant challenges, including a lack of funding and insufficient implementation, leading to disappointment among the peasants and rising social unrest in rural areas.

What was the Statute of Catalan Autonomy of 1932, and why was it significant?

The Statute of Catalan Autonomy of 1932 granted Catalonia self-government by creating the Generalitat, a regional government. It was a significant step toward decentralization and regional autonomy within Spain, marking an important political shift.

How did the Spanish military respond to the reforms proposed by the Republican government?

The military was resistant to the reforms, particularly the reduction in the duration of compulsory military service and the requirement for military officers to swear allegiance to the Republic. This led to tension between the Republican government and the military establishment.

What were the reactions to the reforms from the Church and landowners?

The Church and large landowners opposed the reforms, particularly the more radical ones. The Church was concerned about the secularization of society, and landowners resisted the redistribution of land. These groups saw the reforms as too radical and threatening to their interests.

What significant events of opposition occurred between 1932 and 1933, and how were they handled?

Significant opposition events included a failed coup attempt in August 1932 led by General Sanjurjo, and various peasant uprisings, such as the Castilblanco incident in Badajoz and the Casas Viejas uprising in Cádiz. These uprisings were met with violent repression by the Guardia Civil and other authorities.