Anarchist insurrection of December 1933 facts for kids
| Native name | Insurrección anarquista de deciembre de 1933 |
|---|---|
| Date | December 8–15, 1933 |
| Location |  Spanish Republic |
| Also known as | December 1933 revolution |
| Type | General strike |
| Cause | 1933 Spanish general election |
| Motive | Libertarian communism |
| Participants | CNT |
| Deaths | 99 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 164 |
The anarchist uprising of December 1933 was a major event in Spain. It was also called the December 1933 Revolution. This event was a huge strike by workers. It also involved armed groups.
The main areas where this happened were Zaragoza, Aragón, and La Rioja. People involved wanted to create a society based on libertarian communism. This idea means people would live without a strong government.
The uprising also spread to parts of Extremadura, Andalusia, Catalunya, and the mining areas of León. This was the third and last big uprising by the CNT during the time of the Second Spanish Republic.
It started in Zaragoza on December 8, 1933. This was the same day a new government was forming. The new government was made up of the center-right Radical Republican Party and the Catholic right-wing party, CEDA. By December 15, the uprising was stopped by police and the army. On December 18, a new government was officially formed. It was led by Alejandro Lerroux.
Contents
What Caused the Uprising?
The uprising began right after the results of the November 1933 elections were known. The CNT was a large workers' union. They decided to act after the elections. They held a meeting in Zaragoza on November 26.
A special group was formed to plan the revolt. Important members included Buenaventura Durruti, Cipriano Mera, and Joaquín Ascaso. Many of these people were also part of the FAI. The FAI was a more radical group.
How the Uprising Unfolded
On December 8, the new government was about to start. In Zaragoza, the local government closed the CNT offices. This was done to prevent trouble. Police were sent into the streets. This led to fights and shootings between police and the revolutionaries.
The city of Zaragoza was completely shut down by the strike. On the first day alone, twelve people died. On December 14, the government declared a "state of war." This meant the army could step in. Soldiers were sent out, escorted by assault guards.
On December 15, the CNT told its members to go back to work. The next day, the police arrested the leaders of the uprising.
Spreading the Revolution
The uprising that started in Zaragoza spread to other towns. These were mainly in Aragon and La Rioja. In these places, people tried to set up "libertarian communism."
The events usually followed a similar pattern:
- People tried to take over Civil Guard buildings.
- They arrested local leaders and wealthy people.
- They burned important documents like property records.
- They tried to share goods and food according to anarchist ideas.
The government always responded strongly. They sent in police and the army to stop the revolts.
There were also smaller uprisings in other areas. These included parts of Extremadura, Andalusia, Catalunya, and the mining region of León. By December 15, all these uprisings were also stopped.
What Happened Afterward?
The uprising lasted for seven days. Many people were hurt or died. Among the people involved in the uprising, 75 died and 101 were injured. Among the police and guards, 14 died and 63 were injured.
The failure of this uprising weakened the CNT. The union became divided. Some moderate leaders, like Juan Peiró, blamed the more radical FAI group. They said the FAI's actions led to the disaster.
During the uprising, there was a lot of violence. There were clashes with police, train accidents, and explosions. People destroyed official documents and burned some churches. Railways, bridges, and communication lines were also damaged. Many shootings and small battles took place. For example, 19 people died when a train derailed near Puzol.
Images for kids
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Buenaventura Durruti was a key figure in the uprising.
See also
In Spanish: Insurrección anarquista de diciembre de 1933 para niños
- Anarchist insurrection of Alt Llobregat
- Anarchist insurrection of January 1933
- Regional Defense Council of Aragon
