Spanish Civil War: Military Phases and Rearguard Actions
The Spanish Civil War: Military Actions and Responses
The Insurrection
The insurrection began in Melilla on July 17, 1936. General Francisco Franco, recently arrived from the Canary Islands, took command of the African Army in Morocco. Civilians loyal to the Republic were targeted. On July 18th, Queipo de Llano initiated the uprising in Seville, and that evening, Mola declared a state of war across Spain. By July 20th, the country was divided, with the rebels controlling rural Spain while the rest remained loyal to the Republic.
In Catalonia, the uprising was suppressed on July 19th by CNT and FAI militants who defended the city against rebel forces. General Goded surrendered, anarchists seized weapons, 20 Barcelona convents were burned, and the revolution began. Committees were formed to administer municipalities. During these three days, the government had three presidents: Quiroga, Barrios, and Giral. Militias spearheaded the Republic’s military efforts in the initial months. Rebel forces in leftist areas were brutally suppressed, and urban life became increasingly challenging.
Military Phases of the Civil War
Phase 1: July – December 1936
Insurgent Objective: Madrid. Mola dispatched columns from Pamplona. The African Army, aided by Mussolini’s air force, crossed the Strait of Gibraltar. Franco landed in Spain, traversing Cordoba, Granada, and Seville en route to Madrid. The Republican government relocated to Valencia. In September, Mola occupied Irun and San Sebastian. Catalan militias advanced into Aragon, securing key cities.
Phase 2: January 1937 – November 1938
Insurgents launched unsuccessful attempts to encircle and capture Madrid from Corunna, Jarama, and Guadalajara. Franco then focused on Malaga, capturing Andalusian cities by December 1937. Republicans launched an offensive, seizing Teruel on January 8, 1938. In October, the Republican government moved to Barcelona. On April 3rd, Franco entered Catalonia, and on April 15th, he reached Vinaroz, dividing Republican territory. Vicente Rojo reorganized the Republican army for an offensive at the Ebro River, led by Juan Modesto. The battle concluded on November 15, 1938.
Phase 3: December 1938 – April 1, 1939
Franco launched his final offensive against Catalonia, advancing through Seròs. He entered Tarragona on January 15th, Barcelona on January 26th, Girona on February 4th, and reached the French border on February 9th. Azaña resigned on February 28th. Franco’s troops occupied Madrid on March 28th, and the war ended on April 1st.
The Rearguard
Rear insurgent
Each general vogue and did what I wanted in your area. Franco was proclaimed head of state and Generalissimo which created the Technical Board of the State who wanted to counteract the work of the Republic. ANTIPOLITICISME; PERSONAL sectarianism and hate. The Spanish bishops Catalog insurrection as Christian crusade. Harsh repression, shootings, murders excessive;
Rear Republican
On 20 July ’36: emergence of a new power, militias and collectivization of the economy. In BCN company proposes that the NLC can make a body fascism and the day after creating the Central Committee of Antifascist Militias of Catalonia. The lack of coordination led to Tarradellas create a unity government to dissolving the Committee on 1 October. Political differences between the CNT and the POUM supporters of the revolution while the war and the PSUC, the UGT and ERC wanted to win that first war. The working class took over the companies. The collective lectivitzacions him to create the Business Council of Catalonia on 11 August. Municipalitzacions of rental houses and creation of CENU. Anticlericalism.
Aid of the USSR, advisers and arms; International Brigades.
REMOTE CAUSES OF WAR: The way it was the liberal revolution: civil war confrontation. Pronouncements. / / / / Attitude and mentality of the military: 1898. Pass liberalism to conservatism. With reactionary nationalism. / / / / Delay in the ideological and economic modernization: RI late. Illustrated weak. / / / Implications: illiteracy, weak state, lack educational buildings; intervenes in church teaching.
CAUSES OF THE NEXT WAR: Crisis international decade of the ’30 and 3 policy alternatives: Reformism democracy: universal suffrage, mass parties and improves working conditions. /////////// Fascist Reaction: aggressive nationalism, ultra-capitalism, not freedom; single party. ////// Communist Revolution: Soviet model. / / / Balance of disabilities: two sides and ideological social opposites politically they can not get to build a balance of change in progress.