Formation of the Popular Front

• January 1936 - leaders of several l/w groups formed the Popular Front, an electoral alliance designed to give the left a chance of winning the forthcoming election.
• The Popular Front consisted of Socialists, the Republican left and the Republican Union Party.
• Reasons for creation:


  Failure of the October Revolution persuaded many on the left of the need to create an effective political force in order to win elections.
• Reasons for creation:


  Azana, learning from the creation of CEDA, played a key role working with l/w groups create an electoral alliance. He argued that l/w groups should work together to protect democracy and prevent the emergence of a fascist or military dictatorship.
• Reasons for creation:


  The Soviet Union changed its policy. In the early 1930s the Soviet government had directed communist parties across the world to work independently of Socialist groups. However, following Hitler's victory in Germany, the Soviet government ordered communist parties to work with other l/w groups to resist the rise of fascism in Europe.
• Reasons for creation:


  Largo Caballero was initially wary of Azana's ideas but was convinced by the Spanish communists to support Azana.