3. The Spanish Republica: 1933-1939

fets octubre 1934. BCN

Joves d'Estat català durant els Fets d'Octubre de 1934.

Autor: Sagarra i Plana, Josep Maria. Arxiu Nacional de Catalunya

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New elections on 19 November 1933, after the Casas Viejas affair, led to a right-wing victory, nominally led by the centrist radical Alejandro Lerroux but dependent on the parliamentary support of the CEDA, Confederación Española de Derechas Autónomas a party led by José María Gil Robles with support ranging from Christian Democrats to fascists. The entry of three CEDA ministers into the government on 1 October 1934 led to armed rebellions by socialists and anarchists in Asturias and Catalonia on 6 October; Spanish nationalists later pointed at this as an indication that left-wing republicans only supported democracy when they won elections, thus justifying a similar approach from the right. During this time, the government expended great efforts to annul the social gains that had been made in the previous years, especially in agrarian reform.

The Straperlo scandal undermined the confidence in centrist republican parties and led to polarization and the Conservative or Black Biennium ended.

The establishment of a popular front by left-wing parties enabled the left to regain power at elections on 16 February 1936, installing Manuel Azaña as the second president (1936 – 1939).