Irreligion in Spain is a phenomenon that has existed since at least the 17th century. Secularism became relatively popular (although the majority of the society was still very religious) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often associated with anti-clericalism and progressive, republican, anarchist or socialist movements. During the Second Spanish Republic (1931–1936) Spain became a secular state, placing limitations on the activity of the Catholic Church and expelling the church from education. During the Spanish civil war irreligious people were repressed by the Francoist side, while religion was largely persecuted among the republicans. During the Francoist Spain period (1939–1975) irreligion was not tolerated, following the national-catholic ideology of the regime; Spanish citi