Spain, 1930–31: impact of political events, 1930–31 and the creation of…

The idea

The collapse of Primo de Rivera's regime in January 1930 left a monarchy isolated. The Pact of San Sebastián (August 1930) united republicans, socialists and Catalan nationalists; the December 1930 Jaca rising failed, but April 1931 municipal elections became a plebiscite and Alfonso XIII left, producing the Second Republic on 14 April. Its survival was threatened by conservative forces: landowners held latifundios in the south and resisted land reform; the Catholic Church controlled education and was hostile to secularisation; the army, over-officered and monarchist, resented reform. Unrest included anarchist risings, strikes and church burning in May 1931. Economic and social problems — rural poverty, illiteracy, regional nationalism and the Great Depression — deepened instability.

What earns the marks

• Explains how the Pact of San Sebastián (August 1930) allied republicans, socialists and Catalan nationalists against the monarchy.
• Analyses the December 1930 Jaca rising as a failed military coup that nevertheless discredited the monarchy.
• Assesses the April 1931 municipal elections as a decisive political event leading to Alfonso XIII's departure and the Second Republic.
• Explains the power of landowners, including latifundios and control of rural labour, as a force of conservatism.
• Analyses the Catholic Church's influence over education and its opposition to secular reform.
• Assesses the army's over-officered, monarchist character and its resistance to reform.
• Explains political unrest such as anarchist risings, strikes and church burning in May 1931.
• Analyses economic and social problems: rural poverty, illiteracy, regional nationalism and the Great Depression.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Treating the April 1931 elections as a general election rather than municipal elections that acted as a plebiscite.

  Put it right by specifying their municipal character and plebiscitary effect.

• Assuming the Second Republic was created by a violent revolution.

  Put it right by explaining the peaceful departure of Alfonso XIII after republican electoral success.

• Describing the church, army and landowners as a single undifferentiated bloc.

  Put it right by distinguishing their separate interests and methods of resistance.

Exam tips

• Link each political event to the creation of the Second Republic, showing cause and consequence rather than listing dates.
• Use precise terms such as latifundios, caciquismo and plebiscite to demonstrate secure knowledge.
• When discussing conservative forces, explain how each group could obstruct reform, not merely that it existed.