Spanish Civil War: Causes, Conflicts, and Consequences
Spanish Civil War
1. Antecedents: The Coup d’État
The main organizer was General Mola, assigned to Pamplona by the Popular Front, away from Madrid, where the military conspiracy was allegedly being hatched. The military plan consisted of a statement of all potential military garrisons, especially in Madrid and Barcelona. General Franco was awarded command of the Army of Africa. The conspiracy had the support of right-wing political forces and European countries (Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy). It started in Morocco on July 17, 1936, and the next day spread throughout the peninsula. Thus began the Civil War that lasted three long years.
2. Causes of the Civil War
The Republic attempted to modernize and democratize Spain, causing a clash between the old social classes and the progressive sectors and workers. For example:
- A land reform was opposed by the landed oligarchy.
- Religious reform limiting the Church’s influence (Azana Law) turned the Church hierarchy against the Republic.
- Military reform was badly received by the African military sector.
- The Statutes of Autonomy of Catalonia, Galicia, and the Basque Country were opposed by the Spanish nationalist and centralist right, especially by the Army.
Other causes of social conflict include:
- The Great Depression of the 1930s: living conditions worsened.
- The appointment of three CEDA ministers under A. Lerroux: led to the October Revolution of 1934.
- The existence of fascist regimes in Europe (Germany and Italy), which hindered the progress of the labor movement and led to the emergence of Popular Fronts opposing fascism.
3. The Two Sides
Edict of the Sublevados (Nationalist Area, Franco)
Inspired by Fascism, they were supported by:
- Conservative-Military
- Farm owners
- Affiliated right-wing and traditionalist parties
- Catholic groups with the full support of the Church
International Aid: Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy.
Republican Side (Red Zone)
They were supported by:
- Classes: workers and landless farmers
- Middle Classes: urban employees and the petty bourgeoisie
International Aid: USSR and International Brigades.
4. The Military War
The Struggle for Madrid
On October 1, 1936, Generalissimo Franco was named head of state by the Board of National Defense. The plan was to take Madrid, but strong resistance from Republican militiamen and soldiers repelled the siege.
Northern Front
After the failed assault on Madrid, Franco’s army focused on other territories, prolonging the war. In 1937, the Cantabrian coast was occupied. The accidental death of Mola, commander of the Northern Army, did not alter the war’s course; Biscay, Santander, and Asturias were occupied.
The Eastern Front
In 1938, the victory of the Nationalist troops in the Battle of the Ebro opened Franco’s way to Catalonia. It was taken in 1939, and the Republican side was reduced to the central-southern peninsula. Thousands of people undertook the bitter experience of exile. After the final offensive on Madrid, on April 1, 1939, Franco signed the last part of war.
5. Consequences of the Civil War
a) Demographic Consequences
Victims of the Civil War exceeded half a million people:
- 300,000 in battles and bombings
- 150,000 in executions (60,000 in the Republican area and 90,000 in the Nationalist area).
On the Republican side, there was rampant repression, regardless of the Republic’s authorities (people arrested and executed outside of towns, and secret prisons). When authorities took control, they established People’s Courts for trials prior to sentencing.
In the Nationalist area, enforcement was based on military law. The removal of the left was immediate, with disappearances and executions without trial; a well-known case is that of Lorca.
Since the beginning of the war, the population of the Northern Zone fled by sea to other countries in Europe, America, or Russia.
Towards the end of the war, people in Spain concentrated in Catalonia to cross the border into France. Others tried to leave the country through the port of Alicante but failed. After the war, there was stagnation and even regression in the urban population.
b) Political Implications
A military dictatorship was established, headed by Franco (1939-1975), characterized by the absence of political freedom and persecution of any form of dissent.
The Political Responsibilities Act (1939) sent Republicans who were not exiled to prisons and concentration camps.
The Franco regime was a police state.
c) Economic Consequences
The war destroyed economic resources and infrastructure. The 1940s were years of famine.
The price index multiplied, leading to economic stagnation.
Spain could not benefit from American aid (Marshall Plan) due to the political isolation caused by the dictatorship.
d) Cultural Consequences
There was also a cultural and scientific isolation in Spain: The cultural forces that had supported the Republic were killed or went into exile.