Spain has been a republic twice in its history.
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Spain has a long and varied history, having gone through many different political systems over the centuries. One of the most notable of these was the period when it was a republic. Spain has been a republic twice in its history.
The first of these republics was proclaimed in 1873, after the abdication of King Amadeo of Savoy. It lasted for just over a year, until the monarchy was restored in 1874. The second republic was proclaimed in 1931, after the fall of the monarchy of King Alfonso XIII. This republic lasted until 1939 when General Francisco Franco won the civil war and established an authoritarian regime that lasted until his death in 1975.
Here’s a list of interesting facts about the two republics in Spain’s history:
- The first Spanish Republic was established in 1873 after Amadeo of Savoy abdicated the throne.
- The first republic only lasted for just over one year, as it was overthrown by a military coup in 1874.
- The second Spanish Republic was established in 1931 after the municipal elections gave a sweeping victory to the Republican parties.
- The second republic was marked by tumultuous social and political changes, including the burning of convents, an antichurch movement, and hyperinflation that led to violence and political extremism.
- One of the most famous quotes related to the Second Republic was from the poet Federico Garcia Lorca, who said: “The horrible thing about the Franco dictatorship was that it made the Spanish Civil War retroactive. It turned it into the last Christian crusade against the red Jews.”
- At the end of the Spanish Civil War, many Republicans went into exile to escape persecution, and it is estimated that around 500,000 people fled the country, including many intellectuals and artists.
Table:
| First Spanish Republic | Second Spanish Republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Date established | 1873 | 1931 |
| Length of existence | 1 year | 8 years |
| Reason for establishment | Abdication of King | Overthrow of monarchy |
| Major events | None | Antichurch movement, hyperinflation, civil war |
| Famous quote | None | “The horrible thing about the Franco dictatorship was that it made the Spanish Civil War retroactive. It turned it into the last Christian crusade against the red Jews.” – Federico Garcia Lorca |
| Number of people who fled | Unknown | Around 500,000 |
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Despite the country’s long-lasting schools of republican movements, the government of Spain has been organized as a republic during only two short periods in its history, which totaled 9 years and 8 months of republican government.
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Despite the country’s long-lasting schools of republican movements, the government of Spain has been organized as a republic during only two short periods in its history, which totaled 9 years and 8 months of republican government.
The Spanish Republic (Spanish: República Española), historiographically referred to as the First Spanish Republic, was the political regime that existed in Spain from 11 February 1873 to 29 December 1874. The Republic’s founding ensued after the abdication of King Amadeo on 10 February 1873.
Except during the First Republic (1873–74), the Second Republic (1931–36), and the Spanish Civil War (1936–39), Spain also always had a monarchy. For a complete list of the kings and queens regnant of Spain, see below. From the end of the Spanish Civil War in April 1939 until November 1975, Spain was ruled by Gen. Francisco Franco.
From 1833 until 1939 Spain almost continually had a parliamentary system with a written constitution. Except during the First Republic (1873–74), the Second Republic (1931–36), and the Spanish Civil War (1936–39), Spain also always had a monarchy. For a complete list of the kings and queens regnant of Spain, see below.
In 2019, the population of Spain officially reached 47 million people, as recorded by the Padrón municipal (Spain’s Municipal Register). Spain’s population density, at 91/km 2 (235/sq mi), is lower than that of most Western European countries and its distribution across the country is very unequal.
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The Spanish Empire was once one of the largest empires in history, but it collapsed due to internal problems such as a struggling economy at home and overseas expansion that was not matched by corresponding improvements in infrastructure.