Spanish Civil War: Rebels, Republicans, and Daily Life

Posted on Mar 27, 2025 in History

The Rebels: Beginning of a Dictatorship

The rebels aimed for military victory and a new fascist state, ending democracy and the republic.

Steps to Power:

  1. Junta de Defensa Nacional (each General controlled their area).
  2. October 1936: Francisco Franco became Generalísimo, Head of the Army, the government, and the new state, concentrating powers.

Political Measures:

  • The Constitution and civil rights were banned.
  • Political parties and trade unions were illegal.
  • Censorship was imposed.
  • Catholicism was established as the official religion.
  • The Ley de Responsabilidades Políticas (Law of Political Responsibilities) marked the beginning of repression.

New Symbols for the State:

  • Fascist salute
  • Return of the monarchic flag
  • Blue shirt (Falangists)
  • Red beret (Carlists)
  • Yoke and arrows from Reyes Católicos (Catholic Monarchs) + shield and San Juan eagle
  • Black tie (mourning of José Antonio Primo de Rivera)

The only political party was FET y de las JONS, uniting Falangists, traditionalists, and Carlists under Franco’s power.

Republicans: Win the War or Make the Revolution

Problems:

  • Showed weakness by failing to stop the military coup effectively.
  • Internal division: Anarchists (CNT, FAI) and POUM prioritized revolution, while other Republicans and Communists preferred unity to win the war.
  • Difficulty organizing different military forces: Popular armed militias were hard to control and integrate into the Republican army (autumn 1936).

Leadership:

  • President: Manuel Azaña
  • Prime Ministers:
    • José Giral (first months)
    • Largo Caballero (autumn 1936): Concentration government
    • Juan Negrín (1937-1939): Internal division (resist until something happens in Europe: WWII or surrender)

During the initial months, women could enlist in militias. Later, the recommendation was to care for family and home. Their participation in war industries in cities was significant.

How Did the Conflict Evolve?

The conflict unfolded in four stages:

  1. 1st: July to November 1936
  2. 2nd: December 1936 to December 1937
  3. 3rd: December 1937 to July 1938
  4. 4th: The end of the war (April 1939)

Why Franco and Not Others?

  • Sanjurjo: Commander of the troops at the beginning of the coup. Died in a plane crash on July 20, 1936.
  • Cabanellas: Led the conspiracy in Zaragoza. Leader of Junta Nacional de Defensa (he was the oldest). Voted against Franco and was then replaced.
  • Mola: Real organizer of the coup d’état. Died in a plane accident in 1937 in Burgos.

Daily Life During the Conflict

The Spanish Civil War brought hunger, fear, and widespread violence. Bombings devastated Republican cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Gernika. Extrajudicial executions (“walks” and “sacas”) were common on both sides, with personal and political vendettas.

In the rebel zone, Falangists carried out mass killings, especially of Republicans and progressives, with the military government’s approval. In the Republican zone, initial chaos led to violence against right-wing individuals and clergy, but the government restored order in September 1936. Mass graves, hidden during the dictatorship, were revealed after democracy.