UNIT 7: History

of Spain in the
20th Century
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 1. The Second Republic (1931-1936)
• After the dictatorship of Primo of Rivera, the last period of the
Alfonso XIII reign was with Dámaso Berenguer in the power.
This period is known as "Dicta-blanda".

• At the beginning on 1931, Alfonso XIII lost any support and

he organised municipal election on 12 April. The result was
the victory for Republican´s parties. With this situation,
Alfonso XIII decided to abdicate.

• On 14 April 1931 the Second Republic was declared, the

government then began working on a new constitution, which
became the Constitution of 1931.

• The Second Republic can be divided into three periods.

1.1. Left-wing governments or Progresist Biennium
(1931-1933)
• The governments of this period were formed by Republicans
from various political parties, led by Manuel Azaña as a
President of Spanish government and the President of the
Republic was Alcalá Zamora.

• During these years there were various reforms:

• Territorial reforms: they approved the statute of autonomy

for Cataluña, Pais Vasco and Galicia

• Land Reform: large agricultural estates were expropriated so

that they could be broken up and given to poor classes. The
landowners opposed this policy, and its slow implementation
MANUEL AZAÑA
caused discontent among the rural working class.
• Labour reforms: new laws forced businesses
to negotiate working conditions and wages with
the trade unions. The working week was limited
to 40 hours and wages were increased.

• Military reforms: the number of officers was

reduced. Many members of the armed forces
opposed this change.

• Religious Reforms: they approved

the divorce, civil marriage and public education.

• Education reforms: it was free, public, mixed

and secular.

• The female vote was also approved. NICETO ALCALÁ ZAMORA

• These reforms led to protest and disturbances by
groups at both extremes of the political spectrum:
the Anarchist CNT and the FAI
(Federación Anarquista Ibérica) on the left,
and the Falange on the right.

• There was also a

military uprising leaded by Sanjurjo
but he was defeated in 1932.

• There were especially serious incidents in rural

areas, such as in Casas Viejas (Cádiz)
1933, where many peasants were killed by the
police. When the situation continued to
deteriorate, Azaña finally resigned.
1.2. Right-wing governments
or Radical Cedista Biennium
(1934-1936)
• After Azaña´s resignation, elections were held.
• The new elections took place on November 1933, the election was won
by a right wing coalition composed by Radical Republic Party and the
CEDA (Confederación Española de Derechas Autónomas).
• During this years, Alejandro Lerroux was the president of the Spanish
government from RPP.
• As a result, a more conservative government came to power. It
suspended the previous government´s reforms and took measures to
stop protests and social conflict.
• In 1934, the Falange Española Party was created by Jose Antonio
Primo de Rivera (Miguel Primo de Rivera´s son). It was a fascism
party.
• In October 1934, a general strike led to two important
events:

• A social revolution broke out in Asturias.

• Cataluña proclaimed itself to be a state.

• The army intervened to suppress both these uprisings,

Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera
but increasing tension eventually brought about new
elections in 1936.
1934
1.3. The Popular Front
government (1936)
• A coalition called the Popular Front, which was made up of various left-wings
parties, won the election in February 1936. The new government tried to
continue implementing the reforms that the previous government had
suspended.

• In this government, Azaña was the President of the Spanish Republic and
Casares Quiroga was the President of the government.

• However, there were increasing numbers of protests and violent

conflicts between Falangists, Socialists, Anarchists and Communists.

• In July 1936, a decisive event took place: part of the military rise up against
the government. This uprising against the Second Republic produced the
outbreak of the Spanish Civil War.
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2. The Spanish Civil War
(1936-1939)
• The military rebellion that started on 17July 1936 was led by
Generals Mola, Sanjurjo and Franco.

• The uprising´s supporters planned to remove the government

from power and establish an authoritarian regime. However,
they were unable to achieve a quick victory due to the strength
of Republican forces. As a result, Spain was divided into two
opposing sides and civil war broke out.
 Supports
Uprising or National Band Republican´s Band
• Some part of the Spanish army. • Some part of the Spanish army loya to

• Foreign forces from Italy, Germany and the Republic.

Portugal • Foreign forces such as URSS and

International Brigades
• Monarchical, Church, Carlist and
Falangist. • Socialist

• They were more join and more prepared. • Communists

• They were disorganized and opposite

each other.
• 1st. Front attack (July 1936 to March 1937). It was when
national band crossed Strait of Gibraltar and they advance to
Madrid. National troops were defeated in front attack to Madrid
by resistance. The main battles were: Battle of Guadalajara, Battle of
Jarama and Battle of Brunete.

• 2nd The war in the north (April to October 1937). National

troops went to north of Spain, Asturias and Pais Vasco were surrounded.

• 3rd. November 1937 to December 1938) The aim was the division of
Republican territory. In the Battle of Ebro in 1938 the republican band
was defeated and Cataluña was isolated.

• Last stage, (1939) National army took Cataluña at the beginning of

1939. Finally, on 1 April 1939, Madrid was surrounded. The Spanish
Civil War ended.
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3. Consequences of the Spanish Civil War.

• Politics consequences: the instauration of a personal

dictatorship with Franco almost 40 years (1939-1975).

• Economics consequences: Industry and agriculture

were devasted give rise to poverty and hunger.

• Social / Human consequences: Around 500.000

Spanish people died and around 200.000 were exiled.

• Cultural consequences: thousands of artists,

writer, scientist and politics were obligated to exiled.
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4. The Francoism (1939-
1975)
• The Franco regime was supported by three
base: Army, Falange such as only political party
and the Spanish Church.

• The Francoism could be divided in four stages:

• 1st Stage or Fascist Period. (1939-1945).

• 2nd Stage or Catholic Period (1945-1957).

• 3rd Stage or Technocracy Period (1957-

1969).

• 4th Stage or Later Francoism (1969-1975).

 1st Stage or Fascist Period. (1939-1945).
• It´s the fascist period due to Second World War. Franco
established a system of alliances with Germany and Italy. In
1940, it was the Hendaya Meeting with Hitler. In this meeting,
Franco decided support Axie Powers but Spain didn`t participate
in Second World War. Spain supported the Central Powers
with armies, volunteers and economic resources.

• During this period, Ramón Serrano Suñer was the main political
figure.

• This period is also known as autarchy period, consist to be self-

sufficient in economy aspect.

• There was a great repression with Politics Responsibility Law in

1939 due to Makis movement, they were Republic resistance.
2nd Stage or Catholic Period (1945-1957).
• After Second World War, Italy fascist and Nazism
Germany were defeated so, Franco decided to change
and delete some fascist elements.

• European countries and United States decided

to isolate Spain. The cause was that Spain wasn´t a
democratic regimen.

• With this situation, Franco decided give the Spanish

government to Catholic wing.

• Finally, social conflict and corruption gave rise to the end

of the Catholic period in 1957.
3rd Stage or Technocracy Period
(1957-1969).

• During these years, Spain suffered a prosperity

period due to the development of industry and
tourism.

• This period was leaded by technocrats

(people specialised specifically).

• On 1969, Franco designed as heir Juan Carlos I,

he would be the new leader after Franco died.
4th Stage or Later Francoism (1969-
1975).

• The last stage of Francoism was characterised by the figure

of Carrero Blanco.

• During his government, the Francoism suffered many social

revolution by syndicalism, students...

• In 1973 Carrero Blanco was murdered by ETA.

• Between 1973 to 1975, Carrero Blanco was succeed by Arias Navarro.

• He was the last leader under Francoism period.

• During his government Spain suffer the Oil crisis in

1973 and the occupation of Sahara
by Morocco with the famous Marcha Verde.

• Finally, on 20 November 1975, Franco died.

• Juan Carlos I took the control and made the Transition Period road to
Spanish Democracy.