Spanish Civil War: Key Phases and Consequences

Posted on Apr 6, 2025 in History

Phases of the Spanish Civil War

1. The War Movement

The Nationalist area comprised two isolated areas:

  • The north under the authority of General Mola.
  • The south under the command of General Franco.

The first objective of the Nationalists was to unite the two areas, which was achieved in early September. The second objective was to take Madrid. To achieve this, the army marched through the valley of the Tagus and conquered Talavera and Toledo. However, resistance in Madrid proved very strong.

2. Stabilization of Fronts: The Battle of Madrid

The Nationalist army’s advance caused the Republican government, headed by Largo Caballero and Azaña, to move to Valencia.

In Madrid, defense remained under a board headed by Major General Miaja, which united all the parties and unions of the Popular Front. The battles that made up the siege of Madrid included:

  • The University City and the Casa de Campo.
  • The Battle of Jarama, in which the Republicans prevented Franco from cutting off the road to Valencia. Before this battle, the Nationalists conquered Malaga with the help of Italy.
  • The Battle of Guadalajara.
  • The Battle of Brunete, where the Republican Army failed to break the Franco lines.

3. The Northern Front

In September 1936, General Mola took San Sebastian and Irun, reaching the French border and cutting off the Republic’s natural link to France. At this point, the Republicans faced two major problems: the isolation of their areas and the shortage of weapons.

In March 1937, Franco changed his strategy, focusing on the Republican zone from the north, realizing he could not take Madrid.

  • The capture of Bilbao: The Condor Legion played a significant role in the destruction of Guernica. Mola died in a plane crash and was replaced by General Davila, who, after breaking the defensive perimeter of Bilbao, occupied the city in June.
  • Shortly after conquering Vizcaya, Santander, and Asturias.

4. The Aragon Front and The Battle of the Ebro

In December 1937, the Republican army managed to enter Teruel, but Franco’s troops recovered the city in February 1938.

Franco then directed the army to the Mediterranean, and in April, the Republican area was again divided into two. The Republicans launched an offensive, resulting in the Battle of the Ebro, a fierce battle that lasted three months. Ultimately, it ended with the collapse of the Republican army.

5. The End of the War: The Catalonia Campaign

After the victory at the Ebro, the Nationalists, facing little resistance, entered Catalonia in January 1939. Civilians began to exile in February, and Franco’s troops reached the French border. Meanwhile, in Madrid, the Republican troops maintained their positions.

Azaña resigned, and Negrín, head of the Republican government, supported by the Communists, continued the fight, hoping that World War II would bring salvation to the Republic. However, the Defense Board, with the support of socialists and anarchists, negotiated an unconditional surrender with General Franco.

On March 25, Franco’s army entered Madrid, and on April 1, the war was over.

Causes of the rebel victory:

  • The Republican disarray and superior firepower of the rebel army.

Consequences of the War

Demographic: Many victims due to the conduct of the war and the cruel repression of the early postwar years. Also, a decline in births.

Social:

  • The division of society into winners and losers and the mutual hatred.
  • Many exiles to France, Mexico, and, to a lesser extent, North Africa, the USSR, and Latin American countries.
  • Many prisoners, persons sentenced to hard labor, moles, and a guerrilla called maquis.

Military: The Spanish people were the first in Europe to experience massive aerial bombardment.

Economics:

  • Towns and villages razed.
  • Reduction of arable land due to lack of manpower and cattle.
  • Destruction of the transport system and many public buildings, leading to a decline in production.

War costs were large in both camps.

Culture: Dismissing scientific authorities, the exile of teaching professionals, the deaths of García Lorca and Miguel Hernández, and the exiles of Alberti and Cernuda.

Politics: The establishment of a dictatorship that lasted until 1975.