Documento 2 - Proclamation of the Spanish Republic

The file includes press-agency (Keystone View Company, Fleet Street, London) photographs of the proclamation of the Spanish Republic in 1931. The prints are annotated on the reverse and include:

• Scenes in San Sebastian at the proclamation of the Republic. 17 Apr. 1931.
• ‘A street at San Sebastian, Spain, crowded with enthusiastic Republicans, after the Republic had been proclaimed there’.
• Soldiers armed with machine guns photographed outside a Church in Madrid, waiting for rioters. 13 May 1931.
• ‘A charge is to be brought against King Alfonso on the grounds that he assisted in the promotion of disturbances in Spain with the object of overthrowing or discrediting the Republican government. As a result of the serious fighting between the Republicans and Monarchists grave results have been registered. The Jesuit convent of Iglesais, and other religious institutes have been attacked and burned down by Republican communists’.
• Sailors joining in the joyous celebrations after the proclamation of the Catalonian Republic in Barcelona. 17 Apr. 1931.
• Anti-Monarchist rioting in Madrid. 12 May 1931.
• ‘Civil Guards dispersing the huge crowd of rioters in the streets of Madrid. Popular hostility to the manner in which the monarchist propaganda is being organised in Madrid culminated in serious anti-monarchist riots, when the Civil Guard fired on the great crowds, during which many casualties were reported. As a result of the tense situation, martial law has been proclaimed in the city’.
• The arrival of Niceto Alcalá-Zamora y Torres, President of the Republic, in Barcelona. c.Dec. 1931.
• Scenes in Madrid after proclamation of Republic. 16 Apr. 1931.
• ‘A woman hoisting the Republican flag surrounded by huge crowds after the proclamation of the Republic in Madrid’.
• The King of Spain’s bodyguard entering the Royal Palace in Madrid. 14 Apr. 1931.
• ‘It is officially stated that King Alfonso of Spain has abdicated his throne and it is reported that he is leaving tonight for Portugal with his family, en-route to England’.
• ‘The Place de Gracia in Barcelona, thronged with demonstrators during the election campaign last Saturday’. 29 June 1931.
• Spanish exile returns to Madrid. 17 Apr. 1931.
• ‘Major Franco, the airman revolt leader seen under the Republican flags held by followers when he left the train at a wayside station, during his journey from France to Madrid, to where he is returning from exile under the new regime’.
• Republican flag being hoisted on the top of a motor car after the proclamation of the Republic in Madrid. 16 Apr. 1931.
• The statute of the late Primo de Rivera, the former Dictator of Spain, being hauled through the streets with a rope round the neck, by Republican demonstrators. The statue was destroyed, and the site replaced by the statue of a Republican leader. 18 Apr. 1931.
• A Republican leader carrying the Republican flag being carried shoulder high by enthusiasts to the Town Hall after the proclamation of the Catalonian Republic in Barcelona. 17 Apr. 1931.
• Socialist demonstration in memory of Pablo Iglesias in Madrid. 21 Apr. 1931.
• A group of young republicans wearing Phrygian bonnets and carrying Republican flags in Barcelona. 29 June 1931.
• Crowds welcome the arrival of Republican leaders at Madrid’s train station. 17 Apr. 1931.
• Members of the new Spanish Republican government. 17 Apr. 1931.
• The release of prisoners at San Sebastian following the proclamation of the Spanish Republic. 17 Apr. 1931.
• Armoured cars guard banks against rioting in Madrid. 15 May 1931.
• King Alfonso XIII of Spain receives the new Italian Ambassador just before the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic and his flight into exile.