ABSTRACT
In the first decades of the twentieth century there was a profound belief in Spain that the nation had lost its way. The popular perception was that the country had ‘degenerated into decadence’ and only with a major regeneration could a new national destiny be forged that would be capable of confronting the modern challenges of the twentieth century and enable Spain to reclaim its rightful place among the great powers. The collapse of the Spanish monarchy and the establishment of the Second Republic in 1931 provided the impetus and the political space for Republicans and their allies on the Left to put in motion policies to transform Spain into a progressive liberal government in a modern secular state. Resistance to Republican reform and a ready propensity to carry opposition over into violent street confrontation was the hallmark of the setting which spawned the new movement of fascism in Spain.
