Largo Caballero Resigns; Negrín Forms New Government

May 17th, 1937

May 17th, 1937

Largo Caballero Resigns; Negrín Forms New Government
How Long Ago?

87 years, 9 months, 26 days ago

Location

Barcelona, Spain

Category

Politics & Government

War/Conflict

Spanish Civil War

People
  • Juan Negrín
  • Francisco Largo Caballero
Links & References
Tags

Largo Caballero Resigns; Negrín Forms New Government

In the wake of the Barcelona May Days, and following the internal conflicts among leftist factions, Francisco Largo Caballero's government resigned. This political change arose from increased tensions in the Spanish Civil War, particularly after violent clashes between rival anarchist and socialist groups in Barcelona. Subsequently, Juan Negrín was appointed to form a new government, notably excluding the anarcho-syndicalist CNT, reflecting a strategic shift in the Spanish Republican coalition. This marked a significant point in the governance of the Spanish Republic during the Civil War.

Largo Caballero's resignation followed internal conflicts.

Juan Negrín formed a government without the CNT.

The Barcelona May Days highlighted factional tensions.

Negrín's leadership aimed for a unified Republican front.

What Happened?

The resignation of Francisco Largo Caballero on May 17, 1937, followed the tensions that erupted during the Barcelona May Days, where violent confrontations between workers’ factions highlighted the fractious relationships among the leftist groups in Spain. Caballero's government, which was seen as increasingly unable to unify the various factions due to rising internal discord, faced criticism for its failure to effectively manage the war effort against Franco's Nationalists. Heightened concerns around the centralization of power and the role of anarchists within the coalition government pushed for a change in leadership.

In the aftermath, Juan Negrín, a moderate socialist, took over the leadership, emphasizing a doctrine of unity against the fascist threat. Negrín's government aimed to consolidate authority and redirect efforts to enhance the defense against Franco's forces. Importantly, his formation of a government without the anarcho-syndicalist Confederación Nacional del Trabajo (CNT) signaled a strategic pivot that sought to strengthen the Republican front by sidelining radical elements who had been critical of centralized control.

The exclusion of the CNT was not merely a political maneuver; it represented the ideological divide within the left regarding how the war should be fought and what post-war Spain should resemble. This reshaping of government would have long-lasting implications for the dynamics of the Spanish Republic, reflecting broader questions about the future of socialism and anarchism in Spain and the necessity for unity in wartime, albeit with contentious bargaining between factions.

Why Does it Matter?

The resignation of Largo Caballero and the rise of Juan Negrín is significant as it illustrates the complexities of the leftist coalition during the Spanish Civil War. Negrín's administration, which symbolized a shift toward more centralized governance, would alter the course of the conflict by both impacting military strategies and shaping the left's ideological landscape. This event underscores the challenges faced by the Republicans, as well as the tension between democratic ideals and the necessity of military pragmatism in a civil war context.

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