Spanish Civil War (1936-1939): Origins and Uprising
Civil War (1936-1939)
1. Introduction
In 1936, before the elections won by the Popular Front, groups of soldiers planned a coup in case the left reached the government. General Mola, relegated to the Military Government of Pamplona, acted as organizer. He had many officers of the EMU (European Spanish Military) distributed throughout the territory. The prestigious General Sanjurjo, in exile in Lisbon, would take high command. The plans were advanced by July 10 when Franco would lead to Morocco. On July 12, a double murder increased tension. Gunmen killed Lieutenant Falangists Castillo. His peers, Assault Guards, killed the royal deputy Calvo Sotelo.
2. The Military Rebellion and the Outbreak
The events of July 1936 followed the tradition of 19th-century military uprisings, later named the National Uprising. The military aimed to restore order and prevent an alleged Communist revolution, counting on conservative support. The uprising began on July 17 in Melilla and spread to the Protectorate. The government of Casares Quiroga took no action. On July 18, General Franco took command of the Army of Africa. The uprising failed in Catalonia, Valencia, the Cantabrian fringe, New Castile, Extremadura, and much of Andalusia. Crucially, it failed in Madrid, Barcelona, and the Basque Country, where unions were armed. The symbolic failure was the surrender of the barracks on the Mount, where General Fanjul sought refuge. In Barcelona, the uprising failed due to the Generalitat’s support by armed CNT-FAI workers. Initially, the rebels failed to overthrow the Republic, which retained industrial centers, agricultural exports, most of the fleet and aviation, and bank reserves. The rebels received aid from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, while the USSR supported the Republic. Britain and France established a Non-Intervention Committee, largely ineffective. The International Brigades joined the Republican side.
3. Evolution of the Two Areas
In the Republican zone, workers and peasants formed committees, leading to widespread disorder. In September 1936, a government of major parties was formed, led by Largo Caballero. In May 1937, a new government led by Juan Negrín aimed to stop the collectives, reorganize the army, and maintain resistance. In the Nationalist zone…