Spain Becomes a Republic
Spain formally transitioned to a republic on December 9, 1931, with the adoption of its new constitution, marking the establishment of the Second Spanish Republic. This period followed a history of political discontent, notably after the resignation of the military dictator General Miguel Primo de Rivera in 1930. The republic sought to modernize the country by implementing significant reforms, including granting women the right to vote, protecting the rights of regional populations like the Basques, and reducing the influence of the Roman Catholic Church.
Despite these progressive changes, the republic faced considerable opposition from conservative factions and military leaders, notably General Francisco Franco. Tensions escalated, culminating in the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936. The conflict saw Franco’s forces receive support from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, ultimately leading to their victory in 1939. Franco's subsequent authoritarian rule lasted until his death in 1975, after which Spain restored its monarchy and established a democratic government that continues to function today. The legacy of the republic and the civil war remains a significant part of Spain's complex history.
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Spain Becomes a Republic
Spain Becomes a Republic
The Iberian nation of Spain formally became a republic on December 9, 1931, when its new constitution was adopted. The short-lived Spanish Republic did not survive the 1930s, however, due to the outbreak of a civil war, in which Republican forces were defeated.
Spain had once been the center of an empire that spanned the globe, ruling vast lands and enjoying great prosperity as gold, silver, spices, and other wealth flowed in from the colonies. By the 20th century, however, almost all of that empire had been lost except for a few possessions in Africa and elsewhere. No longer a great power, Spain was nevertheless dominated by conservative institutions, such as the Roman Catholic Church, and upper class interests that looked toward its glorious past and ignored the poverty and other problems faced by many ordinary Spaniards in their daily existence. Rising political discontent had led to the brief creation of a republican form of government in the early 1870s, but the First Republic had very limited support and quickly collapsed. This discontent resurfaced, however, after a military dictator named General Miguel Primo de Rivera, whom the monarchy had supported since 1923, resigned in 1930.
A progressive government was able to win the popular elections of 1931, after which King Alfonso XIII left the country and a republic was proclaimed in April of that same year. However, the Second Spanish Republic did not formally come into existence until December 9, 1931, when its constitution was adopted. Under the new government, women were given the right to vote, the rights of local ethnic populations such as the Basques were protected, tax and land policies were reformed, the power of the church was reduced, and large public works projects were inaugurated. Despite these reforms, the new government was deeply resented by many right-wing military officers, including the commander of Spain's armies, General Francisco Franco. He led a coup which began on July 18, 1936, and started the Spanish Civil War. With assistance from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, Franco emerged victorious and the conflict effectively ended on April 1, 1939. His isolationist, authoritarian rule ended after his death on November 20, 1975. Although the monarchy was restored, King Juan Carlos of Spain approved a democratic constitution providing for a Western-style government that has lasted to the present.