On December 1, 1933, a significant incident occurred in the village of Casas Viejas, Spain, where 22 peasants were killed by the Security and Assault Corps. The region had been experiencing severe social unrest and conflicts related to land ownership and agrarian reform. This unrest was fueled by frustrations over poverty, unemployment, and the lack of government support for the peasant class, leading to protests and calls for better living conditions. The confrontation on this day came about as local peasants sought a basis for their grievances against a backdrop of economic hardship.

The Security and Assault Corps, acting on government orders, launched a violent suppression of the protests in Casas Viejas. In an escalation of tensions, security forces responded aggressively, leading to a situation that culminated in lethal force being used against the protesting villagers. The incident highlighted the broader societal issues facing Spain at the time, foreshadowing the larger conflicts that would arise in the ensuing Spanish Civil War.

This violent act shocked many observers and drew attention to the deteriorating social conditions in rural Spain. It showcased the government's willingness to resort to extreme measures to quell dissent among the lower classes, reflecting the contentious political climate of the early 1930s. The repercussions of this incident reverberated throughout the nation, sparking further outrage among various social and political factions and solidifying the divide between the ruling class and the peasantry.