Spanish Civil War: Causes, Battles, and Aftermath
The Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War was a conflict that lasted from July 18, 1936, to April 1, 1939. It began with a coup d’état attempt by right-wing elements, fueled by anticlerical sentiment. The Republic opposed the coup, leading to the distribution of weapons and widespread street conflict.
The Opposing Sides
The war pitted two main factions against each other:
- The Nationalist side, led by Franco, and supported by Godet and Mola, who sought military promotions.
- The Republican side, which defended the existing government.
Causes of the War
The primary cause of the war was the class struggle and the dire economic situation. Other contributing factors included:
- Anticlerical sentiment and religious conflict, resulting in burned churches.
- Desire for a centralized government.
- A spiral of violence in the streets.
- Fear of agrarian reform by the right wing.
Territorial Control
The Nationalist side initially controlled provinces such as Galicia, Navarra, Rioja, Castilla-León, the Canary Islands, the Protectorate of Morocco, parts of Aragon, Andalusia (Seville, Cordoba, and Cadiz), and parts of the Balearic Islands. Their strategy was to advance on Madrid from the north and south, besieging the capital, which mounted a strong resistance. The siege of Madrid lasted from August 1936 to April 1937.
Major Battles
Significant battles during the war included:
- The Battle of Jarama
- The Bombing of Guernica
- The Battle of Brunete
- The Battle of Belchite
- The Battle of Teruel
- The Battle of the Ebro
From December 1937 to April 1939, Franco gained control of Teruel, conquered the Levant, and eventually Catalonia and Madrid fell, leading to Nationalist domination of Spain.
Forces Involved
The Nationalist side primarily consisted of most of the army, Moroccan troops, Carlist militias, and Falangists. The Republican side was composed of loyal army units, state security forces, and militiamen from socialist, communist, and anarchist backgrounds.
International Involvement
The conflict became internationalized, with the formation of the Non-Intervention Committee by France and Britain, who hoped to avoid escalating tensions into another World War. Despite this, the Republic, as the democratically elected government, received some support. Germany and Italy supported Franco, while the Soviet Union supported the Republic. The Nationalists also received support from Portugal (under Salazar) and had superior resources, weapons, and personnel, along with a more coercive internal organization. The Republicans received support from the International Brigades, composed of idealists fighting against injustice.
Political Evolution
The Republican side experienced internal divisions, with anarchists prioritizing revolution before the war’s end, while socialists favored focusing on the war first. Largo Caballero’s attempt to nationalize the telephone company in Barcelona led to insurrections and his subsequent resignation. Negrín, a head of government, sought to rebuild authority and continue resistance. Colonel Casado attempted to negotiate with Franco and staged a coup.
On the Nationalist side, Franco consolidated power, declaring anti-liberal policies and establishing a single political party (a merger of the Falange and Carlists). He assumed control after the Defense Board and aligned himself with Hitler and Mussolini. Once in power, he reversed Azana’s reforms and established a unified, Catholic state model.
Consequences of the War
The consequences of the Spanish Civil War were devastating:
- Massive loss of life and widespread illness.
- Severe repression and exile.
- Destruction of infrastructure and means of production.
- Four decades of dictatorship under Francisco Franco.