The Second Spanish Republic
Proclamation and Constitution
The provisional republican government undertook urgent reforms
freedom of worship and secularisation measures
an agreement to draw up a statute of autonomy in Cataluña
improvements in working conditions and the hiring of day labourers
modernisation of the army and total submission to civil power
Elections to Cortes Constituyentes were called in order to draft the Constitution of 1931
Extensive declaration of rights and freedoms
Division of powers
Universal suffrage starting from the age of 23
Right of the regions to establish statutes of autonomy
Social rule of law
Separation between the Church and the state
The Reformists Biennium
During this first period, republicans and socialists formed a coalition government
Agricultural reform
Education
Army. Active military officers had to swear allegiance to the Republic
Religion. The separation between Church and state was addressed to establish a secular society
The Statute of Autonomy of Cataluña
Social reforms
Manuel Azaña
Manuel Azaña was one of the most important Spanish politicians of the Second Republic
The Black Biennium
The founding of the Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Rights
This party was made up of Catholic groups
On the other hand, the anarchists’ demands did not cease
The Casas Viejas
incident
In the village of Casas Viejas, the Civil Guard brutally suppressed an anarchist uprising
They not only shot the people involved, but also those suspected of involvement and their families
The incident led to the fall of Manuel Azaña’s government
José Antonio Primo de Rivera, son of the dictator Primo de Rivera, founded the Falange Española
Victory of the Popular Front
A notorious case of economic corruption meant the end of the right-wing government
The conservatives tried to form a coalition, the National Front
Republicans and socialists made a coalition and became the Popular Front
In February 1936, the Popular Front won the elections
His basic programme consisted of reintroducing the reforms
Reintroduction of the Agricultural Reform
Restoration of Catalan autonomy
Amnesty for political prisoners
Strengthening the educational, social and religious reforms
Disorder and violence spread throughout much of Spain
Members of the Falange carried out terrorist attacks and continued their assaults
