Spanish Civil War: Origins, Development, and Aftermath
The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
The Military Uprising and the Outbreak of the Civil War
The military uprising, leading to the outbreak of the Civil War, was initiated following the Popular Front’s victory in the 1936 elections. The conspiracy involved both military personnel and civilians. The coup, planned and led by disgruntled military officers, was launched in July 1936. General Emilio Mola was the chief strategist and head of the operation. General Sanjurjo was initially appointed to lead the military directory, but after his death, General Franco assumed leadership, despite initial doubts among some rebels.
The weak Republican institutions and society offered limited resistance. The Civil War resulted from a poorly executed military coup and a government too weak to suppress it.
The Progress of the War
Between July and November 1936, various military columns from both sides engaged in conflict. During this period, the central government and the government lost control of public order and the military initiative for several months. The capture of Madrid became the primary objective of the rebel forces. General Franco secured international support from Hitler and Mussolini.
Madrid was characterized by unexpected resistance, directed by an improvised Defense Board, which received arms and reinforcements from Soviet and foreign sources. Faced with the failure of direct attacks, Franco decided to launch an operation to encircle the city. In 1937, the need to create a disciplined popular army became evident.
Battles occurred in the north, an area rich in mining and highly industrialized. The rebuilt Republican army launched several offensives against Franco’s advance, but without decisive results. Between 1938 and 1939, the final push that would decide the fate of the war took place. After several attacks, Franco’s troops managed to split the Republican zone in two.
The last major Republican offensive resulted in the Battle of the Ebro in July 1938. Following this, in 1939, the conquest of Catalonia was carried out, leading to a period of mass exodus. The NegrÃn government, along with the PCE (Communist Party of Spain), advocated a policy of all-out resistance. However, Colonel Casado carried out a coup in March 1939. Franco demanded unconditional surrender. In March, Franco’s troops entered Madrid, and in April 1939, the bloody war ended.
The Consequences of the War
The military defeat of the Republican state in 1939 had serious consequences:
- Demographic Effects: High mortality rates, forced migration due to fear of reprisals, a declining birth rate due to hunger and fear, and a large number of people imprisoned. The effects of the Civil War are reflected in deaths, repression, emigration, and imprisonment.
- Economic Consequences: Loss of foreign exchange and gold reserves, damage to livestock and buildings caused by numerous battles, etc. The working population was reduced, leading to an absence of agricultural labor and poor land use.
- Social Consequences: A limited allocation of food to the population, while social, political, and economic power was exercised by the victors of the conflict.
- Ideological Consequences: These included political propaganda and military indoctrination.
- Political Consequences: The suppression of Republican democracy and its replacement with a military dictatorship.