Fermín Galán Rodríguez (4 October 1899 – 14 December 1930) was a Spanish soldier known for leading the failed
Jaca uprising
The Jaca uprising () was a military revolt on 12–13 December 1930 in Jaca, Huesca, Spain, with the purpose of overthrowing the monarchy of Spain.
The revolt was launched prematurely, was poorly organized and was quickly suppressed. Its leaders we ...
a few months before the foundation of the
Second Spanish Republic
The Spanish Republic (), commonly known as the Second Spanish Republic (), was the form of democratic government in Spain from 1931 to 1939. The Republic was proclaimed on 14 April 1931 after the deposition of Alfonso XIII, King Alfonso XIII. ...
. He was of peasant origins, although his father was in the Navy. His father died when he was 10, and soon after he was enrolled in a boarding school for military orphans. This prepared him for military academy, and in 1918 he graduated as a lieutenant. He served in Morocco, where he learned Arabic, gained a reputation as an African expert and was promoted to Captain.
While recovering from a serious wound in 1925 Galán conceived the idea of overthrowing the monarchist dictatorship of General Primo de Rivera and establishing a republic. The next year he helped to plan a coup. The plot was detected and he was imprisoned for 3 years until January 1930. He was then assigned to the remote posting of
Jaca
Jaca (; in Aragonese language, Aragonese: ''Chaca'' or ''Xaca'') is a city of northeastern Spain in the province of Huesca (province), Huesca, located near the Pyrenees and the border with France. Jaca is an ancient fort on the Aragón (river), ...
in northern Aragon, where he developed plans for another coup attempt, this time coordinated with civilian strikes and demonstrations. The revolt was launched prematurely on 12 December 1930, was poorly organized and was quickly suppressed. Galán was executed after a hasty court martial on 14 December 1930. However, the revolt sparked upheavals that led to declaration of the Second Spanish Republic a few months later.
Childhood and youth (1899–1915)
Fermín Galán Rodríguez was born in
San Fernando, Cádiz
San Fernando (, "Saint Ferdinand") is a town in the Cádiz (province), province of Cádiz, Spain. It is home to more than 97,500 inhabitants. The city also uses the name "''La Isla''" (The Island). The people from San Fernando are locally known as ...
, on 4 October 1899.
He was the third of five children: Francisca, Juan Ramón (died young), Fermín, Francisco and José María.
His father, Juan Galán Mateo, was the son of poor peasants from a small village near San Fernando. He had become a Constable of the Navy.
His mother was the oldest of three daughters of a San Fernando baker.
Fermín Galán grew up among liberals who believed in republicanism and had lukewarm Catholicism.
His father, who was often absent on long sea voyages, died in the spring of 1909.
His mother moved to Madrid where she supplemented a small pension by working as a seamstress in private homes.
She enrolled Fermín in the Colegio de Huérfanos de Guerra, a boarding school for orphans of war, when he was 11.
He was followed by his brothers as they became old enough.
The school was designed to prepare its pupils for entry into military academies, emphasising discipline and sports, particularly gymnastics.
His two brothers would also pursue military careers.
Francisco Galán
Francisco Galán Rodríguez (1902–1971) was a Spanish military officer.
Early life
He was the brother of Captain Fermin Galán and the Republican Majors José Maria and Juan Galán. Before the Spanish Civil War he was a lieutenant of the Sp ...
became a colonel in the Republican army, and
José María Galán
José María Galán Rodríguez (1904–1978) was a Spanish military officer. He served in the Spanish Civil War. He was the brother of Fermín Galán, leader of the Jaca Uprising, and Francisco Galán. Before the war, he was a lieutenant of th ...
was in command of the XI and XII Army Corps.
Early military career (1915–25)
In 1915, at the age of 15, Galán entered the
Toledo Infantry Academy
The Infantry Academy (ACINF) is a military training center of the Spanish Army located in the city of Toledo. The center is responsible for providing basic training, specialization and training for officers and non-commissioned officers of the in ...
in the
Alcázar
An ''alcázar'', from Arabic ''al-Qasr'', is a type of Islamic castle or palace in Spain built during Al-Andalus, Muslim rule between the 8th and 15th centuries. They functioned as homes and regional capitals for governmental figures throughout ...
, one of the few students of peasant or worker origins.
When he was 18 he became a second lieutenant and joined the Guipúzcoa No. 53 Infantry Regiment in
Vitoria
Vitoria or Vitória may refer to:
People
* Francisco de Vitoria (c. 1483–1546), a Spanish Renaissance theologian
* Alberto Vitoria (1956–2010), Spanish footballer
* Rui Vitória (born 1970), Portuguese retired footballer
* Sofia Vitória ( ...
.
He disliked the low level of general education in the regiment and its use in repressing workers' movements and demonstrations.
He obtained a transfer to the Barbastro No 4. Cazadores Regiment in the
Tétouan
Tétouan (, or ) is a city in northern Morocco. It lies along the Martil Valley and is one of the two major ports of Morocco on the Mediterranean Sea, a few miles south of the Strait of Gibraltar, and about E.S.E. of Tangier. In the 2014 Morocc ...
garrison of the
Spanish protectorate in Morocco
The Spanish protectorate in Morocco was established on 27 November 1912 by a treaty between France and Spain that converted the Spanish sphere of influence in Morocco into a formal protectorate.
The Spanish protectorate consisted of a norther ...
, where Spain had been fighting the
Riffians since 1912.
During the year and a half spent on defensive duties Galán devoured books on sociology and learned how the
Russian Revolution
The Russian Revolution was a period of Political revolution (Trotskyism), political and social revolution, social change in Russian Empire, Russia, starting in 1917. This period saw Russia Dissolution of the Russian Empire, abolish its mona ...
had emancipated the workers and peasants.
In 1921 he joined the troops of the
Ceuta
Ceuta (, , ; ) is an Autonomous communities of Spain#Autonomous cities, autonomous city of Spain on the North African coast. Bordered by Morocco, it lies along the boundary between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Ceuta is one of th ...
Indigenous Police, where he remained for two years.
He was promoted to lieutenant and learned Arabic.
Galán wrote a proposal for a political-military plan to end the war in Morocco.
This was rejected by the higher command, but they recognised his ability, in October 1922 gave him first class cross of military merit with a red badge, and would send to ask for his opinions on various subjects.
In April–August 1923 he was in Madrid while waiting to take a post with the Wad-Ras nº50 Regiment, and presented his project to the Africanist League.
The king listened to his views, then sent him to the Minister of War.
At this point the military uprising of General
Miguel Primo de Rivera
Miguel Primo de Rivera y Orbaneja, 2nd Marquis of Estella, Grandee, GE (8 January 1870 – 16 March 1930), was a Spanish dictator and military officer who ruled as prime minister of Spain from 1923 to 1930 during the last years of the Resto ...
put an end to the project.
Galán was posted to
Gomara in the Jalifianos Service.
He had a reputation as an African expert, wrote articles in the Colonial Troops Magazine, and was a spokesman for the Africanist officers.
In April 1924 he was assigned to the 3rd Foreign Legion, where he was frequently cited for his courage.
Galán was seriously injured in action in the
Kabylie
Kabylia or Kabylie (; in Kabyle language, Kabyle: Tamurt n leqbayel; in Tifinagh: ⵜⴰⵎⵓⵔⵜ ⵏ ⵍⴻⵇⴱⴰⵢⴻⵍ; ), meaning "Land of the Tribes" is a mountainous coastal region in northern Algeria and the homeland of the Kaby ...
.
He was evacuated to the Military Hospital in Madrid.
During his stay in hospital and subsequent convalescence he became disillusioned with the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera and began to seriously consider conspiracy to restore the Republic.
He wrote a historical and autobiographical novel at this time, ''La barbarie organizada'' (''Organized Barbarism''), about the colonial war in Morocco.
In April 1925 he was discharged and spent two months in Ceuta, then for a short period was in Madrid before being promoted to captain and assigned to the Luchana nº28 Infantry Regiment in
Tarragona
Tarragona (, ; ) is a coastal city and municipality in Catalonia (Spain). It is the capital and largest town of Tarragonès county, the Camp de Tarragona region and the province of Tarragona. Geographically, it is located on the Costa Daurada ar ...
, which he joined on 13 August 1925, aged 25.
Conspiracy (1925–30)
As a member of the conspiracy to destroy the dictatorship he often visited Madrid.
An uprising was planned for 24 June 1926, San Juan day.
He requested three days leave on 21 June 1926.
However, the "
Sanjuanada" plot was discovered and on 23 June 1926 many of the participants were arrested.
The leaders, including
Melquiades Álvarez and the
Count of Romanones
Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in the hierarchy of nobility. Pine, L. G. ''Titles: How the King Became His Majesty''. New York: ...
, were only fined.
General Weyler was acquitted and General Aguilera
( es) received a light sentence.
Colonel Segundo García
( es) was given eight years in prison, while Captain Galán and other officers were sentenced to six years in Barcelona.

While in San Francisco prison in Madrid, and then in
Montjuïc Castle
Montjuïc () is a hill in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
Montjuïc or Montjuich, meaning "Jewish Mountain" in medieval Latin and Catalan, is a broad, shallow hill in Barcelona with a rich history. It was the birthplace of the city, and its st ...
, Galán remained in contact with the movement opposed to the dictator and monarchy, and began to think about a combined civilian and military movement.
He made contact with some of the Catalan union leaders.
On 21 December 1926 he joined the Freemasons.
General Primo de Rivera was replaced by General Berenguer at the end of January 1930.
Berenguer gave an amnesty for the participants in the "
Sanjuanada" plot.
Galán was released and at first lived in Barcelona, where he collaborated with workers' organizations and contributed to the socialist press.
He published ''Escribe Nueva Creación'', an essay on political, economic and social doctrine that advocated a federal republican system.
The essay proposed that the community itself should administer wealth, and that Spain should be part of a United States of Europe.
Galán was assigned to
Jaca
Jaca (; in Aragonese language, Aragonese: ''Chaca'' or ''Xaca'') is a city of northeastern Spain in the province of Huesca (province), Huesca, located near the Pyrenees and the border with France. Jaca is an ancient fort on the Aragón (river), ...
in June 1930, an isolated posting where the authorities hoped he would not cause problems.
He still wanted to link a military uprising with the political movements opposed to the dictatorship.
He established contacts with the CNT in
Zaragoza
Zaragoza (), traditionally known in English as Saragossa ( ), is the capital city of the province of Zaragoza and of the autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Aragon, Spain. It lies by the Ebro river and its tributaries, the ...
and
Huesca
Huesca (; ) is a city in north-eastern Spain, within the Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Aragon. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Aragon between 1096 and 1118. It is also the capital of the Spanish Huesca (province), ...
, and started a close friendship with the syndicalist leader
Ramón Acín
Ramón Acín Aquilué (30 August 1888, Huesca, Aragon, Spain – 6 August 1936) was a Spanish anarcho-syndicalist, teacher, painter, sculptor, writer and avant-garde artist who was murdered by fascists in the first year of the Spanish Civil ...
of Huesca.
When the National Revolutionary Committee (CRN) was created in October 1930, Galán traveled to Madrid to meet the CRN leaders, and was appointed delegate of the CRN in Aragon.
From that time he mounted a campaign to get the CRN to support a military uprising at a national level combined with popular demonstrations, but was frustrated by constant postponements of the date.

Galán called the Executive Revolutionary Committee politicians the "telephoners", and did not want to rely on them to take action.
The date of 12 December 1930 was finally agreed, and then was postponed by the CRN to 15 December 1930.
The CRN representative
Santiago Casares Quiroga
Santiago Casares y Quiroga (8 May 1884 – 17 February 1950) was Prime Minister of Spain from 13 May to 19 July 1936. Casares Quiroga resigned just 48 hours after the beginning of the Spanish coup of July 1936, military insurrection that led to t ...
knew of the decision to delay the uprising and came to Jaca late of the night of 11–12 December but did not notify Galán.
Casares thought Galán already knew of the delay, and that they could discuss the new plans any time the next day.
Quiroga, who was accompanied by Graco Marsá, took a room at the La Palma hotel instead of the Mur hotel where Galan was staying.
Marsá thought they should contact Galán, but Quiroga said he was tired out from the long journey and they should sleep first.
Jaca uprising (1930)
Galán launched the uprising in Jaca in the early hours of 12 December.
He was accepted as leader without reservation by most of the soldiers in Jaca, who would follow him anywhere.
At least sixty officers and NCOs in Jaca supported him.
That night several officers met in Galan's room in the Mur hotel and worked out the last details of the plan.
The officers called out the troops at 5:00 a.m., arrested the military governor, killed two carabineros and a Civil Guard sergeant who opposed them, and took control of the telephone exchange, post office and railway station.
At 11:00 a.m. they proclaimed the Republic at the Town Hall.
Two columns were organized to travel to
Huesca
Huesca (; ) is a city in north-eastern Spain, within the Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Aragon. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Aragon between 1096 and 1118. It is also the capital of the Spanish Huesca (province), ...
.
One led by Galán would go by road, while the other led by
Salvador Sediles
Salvador Sediles Moreno (23 June 1897 – 28 September 1936) was a Spanish soldier and politician. He is best known as one of the leaders of the Jaca uprising of 12 December 1930, a failed attempt to abolish the monarchy that was soon followed by ...
would take the railway.
Delays in requisition of transport held back the departure from Jaca until 3:00 p.m.
Around 5:00 p.m. General Manuel de las Heras with some civil guards met Galán's column at the height of Anzánigo
( es).
He tried to turn back the column of 500 men by force, and some shots were fired before the column resumed its slow advance.
When they reached
Ayerbe
:''Ayerbe is also the name of a village in the Broto municipality.''
Ayerbe is a town in the Hoya de Huesca comarca, in the autonomous community of Aragon in Spain.
Geography
Ayerbe is located 28 km from Huesca on highway A 132 in the directi ...
the insurgents took control of the telephone and telegraph stations, neutralized the civil guard and proclaimed the Republic.
The column of 300 soldiers led by Sediles joined Galán's column at Ayerbe, and the combined force then moved towards Huesca.
At dawn on 13 December 1930 at the heights of Cillas, about from Huesca, the rebels found themselves confronted by the government force.
Galán had a choice of fighting or negotiating.
Since he thought many of the opposing troops were under officers committed to the uprising, he chose the latter.
Captain
Ángel García Hernández
Miguel Ángel García Hernández (29 January 1899 – 14 December 1930) was a Spanish soldier who was one of the leaders of the failed Jaca uprising which tried to overthrow the monarchy. He was executed by firing squad after a summary trial. The ...
and Captain Salinas were driven across the line in a car with a white flag.
When they arrived and said they wanted to parley with the officers they were immediately arrested.
The government troops then began to fire on the insurgents.
Galán refused to order a counterattack because "brothers cannot fight each other", and ordered withdrawal.
The rebel force disintegrated.
Galán voluntarily surrendered in
Biscarrués
Biscarrués is a municipality located in the province of Huesca, Aragon, Spain. According to the 2004 census ( INE), the municipality has a population of 232 inhabitants. See also
* List of municipalities in Huesca
This is a list of the municip ...
with other rebels and arrived in Ayerbe about 10:00 p.m. on 13 December.
Death and legend
On 14 December in a short court martial captains Galán and García Hernández were condemned to death, while other officers were sentenced to life imprisonment.
At his trial Galán was asked if he had accomplices.
He replied that he did, and they were the cowards who were trying him.
Galán and García Hernández were shot in a courtyard in Huesca at 3:00 p.m. on 14 December 1930.
They chose to die while facing the firing squad without blindfolds.
Galan waved to the executioners and said "Until Never!" just before they fired.
The execution provoked outrage against the regime.
The poet Rafael Alberti wrote later,
Galán and García Hernández became heroes of the Second Republic, founded on 14 April 1931, with their portraits displayed in council chambers and the homes of workers throughout Spain.
Rafael Alberti
Rafael Alberti Merello (16 December 1902 – 28 October 1999) was a Spanish poet, a member of the Generation of '27. He is considered one of the greatest literary figures of the so-called ''Silver Age'' of Spanish Literature, and he won numer ...
composed a ''romancero'' commemorating the two heroes in 1931, and soon after converted the ballads into a play called ''Fermín Galán'' to be performed by the company of
Margarita Xirgu
Margarita Xirgu Subirá ( ; 18 June 1888 – 25 April 1969) was a Spanish stage actress, who was greatly popular throughout her country and Latin America. A friend of the poet Federico García Lorca, she was forced into exile during Franci ...
.
Galán's own melodrama ''Berta'' was performed with great success in Madrid in April 1932.
A film was made about Galán in which at the end his body was covered with a Republican tricolor flag by a woman who represented the Republic.
Publications
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Notes
Sources
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Galan Rodriguez, Fermin
1899 births
1930 deaths
Laureate Cross of Saint Ferdinand
20th-century Spanish military personnel
Executed Spanish people
Executed military personnel
Executed revolutionaries
Spanish Freemasons
Spanish military personnel of the Rif War
Spanish republicans
Spanish revolutionaries
People executed for treason against Spain
People executed by Spain by firing squad