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the left republic
The Agrarian Reform Law allowed the state to nationalise (control) the latifundia (large areas of land owned by the wealthy) and then hand them over to the peasants
Not everyone agreed on the plan, resulting in the landowners being angry and peasants let down. -
left republic
The Jesuits were no longer allowed to operate as a religious group, the state withdrew subsidies to the Church -
left republic
Half of the officer corps were made to retire at full pay (leaving little money for social reform);Azana told the army they had no right to challenge the government; a military revolt by General Sanjuro in 1932 was crushed -
Two Black Years
In 1933 government troops shot dead anarchist prisoners in Cadiz. This created a crisis that led to elections being called for November 1933. -
left republic
The government’s decisions led to the foundation of the right-wing Catholic CEDA party
At the same time a fascist party – the Falange (Phalanx) - was established by the son of Primo de Rivera, Jose Antonio. -
Two Black Years
A right-wing coalition government had power after the elections.The period from 1933 to 1935 became known as the “two black years” by those on the Left, who became divided between -
Two Black Years
In 1934 opposition to the government exploded into violence in the Asturias Uprising, an anarchist miners’ revolt lasting two weeks which was only stopped after much fighting by the troops of General Franco. Mass arrest followed. -
Two Black Years
The international situation strongly influenced the development of opposite ideas in Spain: the growing power of Fascism and Communism in Europe convinced many on both sides of politics that moderate politics would mean disaster. -
Replaced
Francisco Largo Caballero is replaced by Indalecio Prieto as head of the Socialist Party. -
General Franco
General Francisco Franco is relieved of his command and sent to the Canary Islands. -
Charged
José Antonio Primo de Rivera is arrested and charged with trafficking illegal arms. -
The Countdown to War
In 1936 an election was calledA Popular Front of Communists, Socialists, Republicans and Separatists was formed to oppose the government.
Increasing tension meant that the Left now regarded the Right as Fascists; the Right regarded the Left as Communists. -
ountdown to War
The Popular Front won only slightly more votes than the National Front, but the voting system made this into a large majority of seats in Parliament.However, Caballero’s socialists, still bitter about the failures of Azana’s earlier government, refused to join. This weakened not only the government but also the Left wing of Spanish politics as a whole. -
Countdown to War
the new government immediately reintroduced the reforms of the 1931-3 government; banned the Falange and sent Franco to Morocco. -
Countdown to war
▪ Most seriously, the army began plotting to overthrow the weak new government.The leader of the plot was General Mola. -
Safety
To protect them from arsonist attacks the government orders the closing of Catholic schools. -
Strike
Over a million workers are on strike in Spain. -
Revolt
On the 13th of July the monarchist politician, Calvo Sotelo, was assassinated by Republican police (revenge for the murder of one of their men by a Falangist).
The military now had the perfect excuse to make their move.
Their revolt began on the 17th of July in Spanish Morocco – led by Franco.