Spanish Civil War: A Concise Overview
Spanish Civil War
Overview
The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) erupted from deep political and social divisions within the Second Spanish Republic. Tensions between the left and right escalated, culminating in violence aimed at dismantling republican institutions. The assassination of Calvo Sotelo ignited the conflict.
The Uprising and Early Stages
The poorly organized uprising, orchestrated primarily by General Mola, began in Africa on July 17, 1936. General Franco joined the revolt from the Canary Islands. The rebellion spread rapidly across the peninsula, with Mola securing control in Navarre and Old Castile, effectively dividing Spain. Mola’s initial plan for a swift coup failed, leading to a protracted civil war.
Phases of the War
The War of Columns:
The rebels’ military superiority led to early successes against the Popular Front.Fighting around Madrid:
Franco’s attempt to capture Madrid was unsuccessful, despite Italian support, leading him to shift focus to the north.Fall of the Northern Front:
The bombing of Guernica and Durango by German forces marked a turning point. Franco’s capture of Vizcaya led to the fall of the Northern Front.Teruel’s March on the Mediterranean:
The Popular Front’s attempt to take Teruel was countered by Franco, who advanced to the Mediterranean. The Republicans achieved naval victories.Battle of the Ebro and Collapse of Catalonia:
The Battle of the Ebro, a brutal and decisive engagement, resulted in Franco’s occupation of Catalonia.End of War:
The war concluded with Franco’s victory in Madrid and Cartagena. The fractured Popular Front surrendered.
Repression and the Church
Both sides engaged in widespread repression. The rebels targeted political opponents, while the Popular Front targeted those associated with the right. The Catholic Church largely supported Franco, although divisions existed within the Catholic community, with Basque nationalists siding with the Republicans.
Evolution of the Two Sides
Nationalists
The rebels’ unity stemmed from anti-revolutionary sentiment. Franco’s Catholic leadership solidified after the death of Sanjurjo. In 1937, he unified the Falangist and Carlist parties. The National Labor Law of 1938 reflected the diverse elements within the rebel camp.
Republicans (Popular Front)
The Popular Front was plagued by internal divisions between those who sought to preserve republican institutions and those who favored revolution. Largo Caballero’s government, which included anarchists, proved less revolutionary than anticipated. Conflicts between anarchists and communists led to significant casualties. Juan Negrin, a moderate socialist, attempted to unify the Popular Front but ultimately faced opposition from within. The war ended with internal conflict within the Republican camp.
The Balance
civil war is simple: Military Viewpoint : Conflict typically a poor country that did not provide the technical innovations of the Second World War. The people’s army missed the initial advantages. Franco’s army was more room for maneuver. Political Viewpoint : The political factor was perhaps most crucially, the war was popular on both sides, but the winner got more coherently unified than was eventually defeated.