Asturias Uprising + Consequences

• The revolution in Asturias was the most spectacular part of the failed October Revolution. Asturias was a industrialised part of Spain with coal mining being the main industry. However, the Depression resulted in a collapse in demand for coal, in which the owners of the coal miners responded by reducing wages and cutting the workforce, enraging miners.
• The miners in Asturias joined the PSOE's revolt against CEDA's inclusion in the cabinet, working with a range of left wing groups to fight the army and police, making it difficult for the authorities to suppress the uprising. Following a successful attack on the Civil Guard, the rebels established control over the province and created an independent worker's republic, which controlled 1/3 of the Asturias province, including the regional capital Oviedo and 80% of the population.
• Local revolutionary committees controlled key aspects of daily life, including food supplies, communication and public order. They also moved quickly against their enemies, burning 58 churches and taking hostages, including businessmen, right wing supporters and clergymen. 31 of these hostages were murdered.
• The government responded by sending 20000 troops who'd originally served in North Africa into Asturias. The Spanish navy was also authorised to shell major cities along the coast and the air force bombed towns and villages. General Franco oversaw the suppression of the revolt.
• The fighting went on for 2 weeks and the military suppression was brutal. On the outskirts of Oviedo 61 civilians were shot and 50 prisoners were executed in the Pelayo barracks. Almost 1400 people were killed, including 1100 revolutionaries, and nearly 3000 were wounded. The uprising was crushed.
• The rebels surrendered on 19th October 1934. But, army action continued and villages were burnt, prisoners were tortured and executions without trials took place across the region. Thousands of members of trade unions lost their jobs and many were imprisoned. The government also suspended Catalan autonomy and ordered thousands of arrests of left wing activists, even in areas that didn't participate in the uprisings.
• Polarisation:

  On the right, many believed that the rebellion was a genuine threat to the republic and argued that the left was preparing for a revolution to sweep away the government, church and army to create a Soviet-style communist government. They claimed the left no longer respected democracy.

  On the left, the rebels in Asturias were heroes trying to defend their rights and jobs. They viewed the suppression of the revolt as barbaric and wholly unjustified. They argued that Gil-Robles was planning a military takeover of power and attempting to establish a fascist dictatorship.
• Radicalisation on the Right:

  Many moderate Spaniards and members of the middle class viewed left wing violence as a threat to their way of life. The Spanish media exaggerated the atrocities, such as widespread raping of nuns, making Spaniards more supportive of right wing groups. Therefore, the middle class moved to the right.

  CEDA also started to call out for a fascist dictatorship. Gil-Robles called out the weaknesses of Lerroux's government, suggesting they needed a stronger alternative. He also praised Hitler and began to implement similar things such as military-style uniforms.
• CEDA gains ground:

  Gil-Robles argued that the government needed to take left wing threats more seriously, and therefore Lerroux needed to work more closely with CEDA, as CEDA was committed to standing up to the revolutionary left. In May 1935, Lerroux and the president gave in and CEDA gained more seats in the cabinet and Gil-Robles promoted to minister of war.
• Military Preparation:

  Gil-Robles, as minister for war, promoted RW officers to key positions and began a secret rearmament programme. His preparations could have been the beginnings of a military takeover or preparation for a civil war. He appointed general Franco, known for his hatred of the Republic and use of extreme violence. Officers with monarchist or fascist sympathies were also promoted to put them into key positions within the army.
• Military Preparation:

  Gil-Robles also put other military policies into place:

  • Munition factories were put under military guard.
  • Army training increased in areas with a strong union movement.
  • Arms production increased.
• Impact on the Left:

  The Asturias uprising persuaded many that they needed to re-engage with democracy. The revolution failed and many in the PSOE and other left wing groups began to argue they should attempt to gain power through elections. Several left wing groups also began to co-operate during and after the uprising, creating the possibility of an electoral alliance. However, the Asturias uprising undermined the left's democratic legitimacy, making it difficult for them to claim they were committed to/willing to defend democracy.