Spain’s first democracy (1931–36) had collapsed amid polarization and civil war. The semi-loyal behavior of both the major center-left and center-right parties contributed to that collapse. In 1934, socialists and communists—fearing fascism—had launched an armed insurrection to prevent conservatives from joining the government. Nevertheless, mainstream center-left politicians tolerated and later forged an electoral coalition with them. And likewise, when military officials—fearing communism—plotted to overthrow the Republican government in 1936, mainstream conservative politicians backed them,
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