Spanish Civil War (1936-1939): Causes, Key Events, and Consequences

Posted on Oct 22, 2024 in History

The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)

The Spanish Civil War stands as a pivotal event in 20th-century Spanish history. It began in July 1936 with a military coup against the Popular Front government and concluded in April 1939 with a Nationalist victory, ushering in the Franco dictatorship and ending the Second Republic.

Causes of the War

Immediate Cause: The military insurrection of July 1936, dividing the country into two factions: those loyal to the Republic and those supporting the rebels.

Underlying Causes: During the Second Republic, democratic forces sought to modernize Spain’s social and political structures. Conservative forces resisted these changes, creating deep divisions and tensions that fueled the conflict.

Contending Forces

Nationalist Side

  • Goal: Overthrow the Republic and establish a dictatorship.
  • Support: Large sections of the army, right-wing and far-right groups, the Church, and European fascist regimes.
  • Forces: Army sectors supporting the uprising, mercenary troops from Morocco, Falangist and Carlist volunteers, and foreign military aid.

Republican Side

  • Goal: Preserve the democratic Republic.
  • Support: Left-wing parties, trade unions, Catalan and Basque nationalists, and some European democracies.
  • Forces: Loyalist army sectors, popular militias, international support from the USSR and International Brigades.

Origins and Development of the War

Origins: Following the assassination of right-wing leader Calvo Sotelo, the coup, orchestrated by figures like Mola, Sanjurjo, and Franco, commenced on July 17 in Melilla. Franco took command of the Army of Africa, extending the revolt northward and to the Canary Islands. The peninsula quickly divided, with the rebellion succeeding in some Andalusian cities and much of the north, but failing in major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, and Valencia.

Development:

  1. Madrid Campaign: The initial Nationalist objective to capture Madrid failed due to Soviet intervention. They then secured Andalusia.
  2. Northern Campaign: The Nationalists conquered the industrial north, aided by the German Condor Legion’s bombing of military and civilian targets.
  3. Battle of the Ebro: The Nationalists aimed to isolate Republican forces in the Aragon region. The Battle of the Ebro, resulting in nearly 100,000 casualties, was a Nationalist victory.
  4. Final Offensive: The Nationalists broke the remaining Republican positions in central and southern Spain. Internal divisions within the Republican side, culminating in the establishment of the National Defense Council in Madrid, weakened resistance. Franco’s forces entered Madrid on March 28, 1939, and the war officially ended on April 1.

Causes of Nationalist Victory

  1. Military Superiority: The Nationalist side possessed greater military power.
  2. International Support: The Nationalists received more substantial and decisive international aid.
  3. Cohesion and Leadership: The Nationalists exhibited greater cohesion under Franco’s leadership, while the Republicans suffered from political instability and internal divisions.

Consequences of the War

  • Human Losses: An estimated half a million deaths.
  • Material Devastation: Post-war shortages and economic hardship hampered recovery.
  • End of the Republic: The Second Republic fell, replaced by Franco’s dictatorship.
  • Conservative Resurgence: Conservative social groups, including the Church, regained their privileged status.
  • Exile: An estimated 400,000 Spaniards fled the country.
  • Repression: A repressive apparatus was established, starting with the Law of Political Responsibilities in 1939.