Spanish Civil War: International Impact and Republican Factions
The Meaning of the Spanish Civil War
For international observers, the Spanish Civil War represented a conflict between Fascism, Democracy, and Communism. Internally, it was a confrontation between established dominant groups, who had gained power during the Restoration, and emerging groups of workers and the bourgeoisie, who desired democracy. The reforms of the Republic posed a threat to these dominant groups, leading them to abandon legal and parliamentary means in favor of a coup.
The Internationalization of the War
The “War of Spain,” as the Civil War became known internationally, had significant global repercussions. Communist countries supported the Republic, while fascist countries (Italy and Germany) and conservative democracies supported Franco’s rise.
Both sides sought external assistance, but democratic governments in France, Britain, and the United States remained cautious, fearing the conflict’s potential to escalate.
Britain advocated a policy of appeasement toward Nazi Germany and warned France against intervening on behalf of the Republic. France accepted this warning and supported the creation of the Non-Intervention Committee in August 1936, which included 27 countries. This policy of non-intervention contributed to the Republic’s defeat.
However, the Committee’s existence did not prevent foreign aid from reaching both sides. The International Brigades represented significant international support for the Republic. Over 60,000 volunteers from around the world joined, forming a solidarity movement against fascism. Conversely, the Nationalists received substantial foreign support in the form of weapons and aircraft, notably from the Condor Legion and the Corpo Truppe Volontarie.
The Republican Zone: Revolution Contained
Republican State Collapse
To address the uprising, Giral armed militias from unions and the Popular Front, dissolved the traditional army, and established volunteer battalions as part of the militia.
In Republican-held territory, the uprising led to a revolutionary climate. Notably, from July 1936, most industrial and agricultural property was collectivized by worker and peasant committees. The government soon supported these seizures. Land expropriation and occupation occurred in Aragon, Valencia, La Mancha, and Andalusia, primarily in areas influenced by anarchists and socialists.
During the early months of the war, persecution against the Church, landowners, and the affluent (by the CNT-FAI and POUM) spread beyond the Republic’s control.
By autumn 1936, the state’s power had largely collapsed, replaced in many areas by revolutionary organizations. Regional councils, such as the Council of Aragon and the Junta de Defensa de Madrid, were formed.
In response, Largo Caballero (Socialist) formed a government (September 1936-May 1937) that included Republicans, Socialists, Communists, and even some anarcho-syndicalists.
The government moved to Valencia due to rebel attacks on Madrid. However, conflicting interests among political forces emerged. One faction, comprising Republicans, Socialists, and some Communists, favored controlling collectivization and strengthening ties with the middle classes. Conversely, the anarchists and communists of the POUM (Workers’ Party of Marxist Unification) supported collectivization and revolutionary war. This led to significant internal conflict within the Republic.
In Catalonia, in May 1937, the CNT and POUM clashed with the Communists and Republicans who controlled the Generalitat. These clashes became violent (e.g., the eviction of anarchists from the Telefónica building) and resulted in the defeat of the anarchists and the banning of the POUM.
Following the May events, Largo Caballero’s government resigned and was replaced by Negrín (May 1937-March 1939). Communists gained significant influence in this government. Negrín sought a negotiated solution, proposing a 13-point program aimed at ending the war while preserving the Republic. However, Franco only accepted unconditional surrender. Subsequently, Negrín’s government emphasized the need to resist, anticipating a broader European conflict, but the Republic’s demise was imminent.