Statute of Autonomy of the Basque Country of 1936 facts for kids

The Statute of Autonomy of the Basque Country of 1936 was the first special law that gave the Basque Country its own government. It was approved by the Spanish Parliament (called the Cortes Generales) on October 1, 1936, in Valencia. This happened during the Spanish Civil War. After this law was passed, the first Basque government was formed. It was led by José Antonio Aguirre from the EAJ-PNV. Other political groups like the PSOE, PCE, and different Republican parties also joined this government.

What Was the Basque Statute of Autonomy?

The Statute of Autonomy was like a rulebook that gave the Basque Country more control over its own affairs. It meant that the region could make some of its own decisions, rather than everything being decided by the central government in Spain. This was a big step for the Basque people, who had long wanted more self-governance.

The Long Road to Autonomy

Getting this special law was a long and difficult process. Here’s a simple look at how it happened:

Early Ideas for Self-Rule (1931)

• In 1931, a group called the Basque Studies Society started working on a plan for Basque self-rule. They created a draft called the Estatuto SEV.
• This first plan aimed for autonomy for the entire Basque-Navarre area, which included four provinces: Álava, Gipuzkoa, Navarre, and Vizcaya.
• Later that year, representatives from local councils met in Estella. They discussed the plan and made changes, creating a new version known as the Estatuto de Estella. Most councils from the four provinces supported it.

Challenges and Changes (1931-1933)

• The Spanish Parliament, however, rejected the Estatuto de Estella. They said it didn't fit with the new Spanish constitution they were writing.
• So, new groups of representatives from the four provinces started working on another draft. This was called the Estatuto de las Gestoras.
• In 1932, this new plan was approved by many councils. But in Navarre, more councils voted against it than for it. This meant Navarre decided not to be part of the joint autonomy plan.

Focusing on Three Provinces (1932-1935)

• After Navarre left, the representatives from Álava, Gipuzkoa, and Vizcaya decided to create a new statute just for their three provinces.
• In 1933, this updated Estatuto de las Gestoras was approved by councils in these three areas. It was then put to a public vote, called a referendum.
• Most people in Gipuzkoa and Vizcaya voted yes. However, in Álava, not enough people voted yes to meet the required two-thirds support. This caused a problem, and the process got stuck.
• For a while, the Spanish Parliament didn't make much progress on the Basque autonomy plan. The Basque Nationalist Party even stopped attending Parliament meetings in protest.

The Final Push and Approval (1936)

• In 1936, new elections brought a different group of politicians to power in Spain. They were more open to the idea of Basque autonomy.
• A new proposal was drafted, mainly by a politician named Indalecio Prieto. This became known as the Estatuto de Prieto. It was designed for the three provinces: Álava, Gipuzkoa, and Vizcaya.
• The Spanish Parliament decided that the results of the 1933 vote were valid, even for Álava.
• On October 1, 1936, the Estatuto de Prieto was officially adopted by the Spanish Parliament.
• Just five days later, on October 6, 1936, the law was published. However, by this time, the Spanish Civil War had already started. The law could only really be put into action in Vizcaya, because Álava and Gipuzkoa were already controlled by the Nationalist forces.

Why Was This Statute Important?

The 1936 Statute of Autonomy was a very important moment for the Basque Country. Even though the Civil War meant it couldn't be fully put into practice everywhere, it showed that the Basque people had a strong desire for self-governance. It also laid the groundwork for future autonomy efforts after the war.

See also

In Spanish: Estatuto de Autonomía del País Vasco de 1936 para niños