Emilio Mola’s 1936 Declaration of War in Navarre
General Mola’s Proclamation of a State of War
Introduction: This is a primary source document of a military and public nature. It takes the form of a military decree, though its preamble contains significant political content. The author, Emilio Mola, was the chief organizer of the military uprising against the Popular Front government. It was issued in Pamplona, where Mola had been stationed by the Popular Front government. The *Diario de Navarra* published it on July 19th, the day after the “National Uprising,” which had just succeeded in Navarre without opposition. The document justifies the revolt, highlighting the principles driving it (justice, order, authority), advising workers on their expected conduct, and ultimately declaring a state of war in Navarre, militarizing existing volunteer forces, primarily Carlists.
Immediate Background
The text is framed within the opening moments of the war, immediately following the “National Uprising” of July 18th, which received massive support in Navarre. To understand how this point was reached, we must look back to the elections of February 1936. These elections were contested by two major coalitions (right and left), with the Popular Front emerging victorious. Consequently, Alcalá Zamora was replaced by Azaña as head of the Republic, and a Republican government was formed, led by Casares Quiroga.
The new government’s policy focused on:
- Granting amnesty for those involved in the revolution of 1934.
- Restoring Catalan autonomy and the Generalitat.
- Resuming the reform process of the first biennium.
- Removing military officers suspected of plotting coups (Mola himself was assigned to Pamplona, a secondary post).
Conservative opposition and pressure from leftist groups led to significant social conflict, exacerbated by a climate of civil strife. Political groups organized militias, political assassinations occurred (including that of Calvo Sotelo), and public disorder was rampant. In this context, the more conservative military elements, who had previously sought the invalidation of the election results, began preparations for a military uprising. General Mola was put in charge. His plan involved simultaneous uprisings in major military garrisons, decisive action against any opposition, and the establishment of a provisional “Republican dictatorship.” In many respects, his plan bore similarities to that of Primo de Rivera in 1923.
Remote Antecedents
We can refer here to the interventionist tradition of the army in Spanish political life, exemplified by the pronouncements of the 19th century. Furthermore, as previously noted, there are clear similarities between Mola’s plan and the coup d’état of Primo de Rivera. It is also crucial to acknowledge the dissatisfaction of large segments of the military during the Second Republic for several reasons: the Military Reform Act, the granting of autonomy (interpreted as a threat to national unity), and the fear of social revolution (as seen in Asturias in 1934).
Conclusions
The military uprising had mixed results: it succeeded in conservative regions but failed in large cities and industrial areas. This outcome triggered the Civil War, which lasted until 1939 and concluded with the triumph of the rebels and the establishment of a dictatorial regime led by Franco.