The Basque Country in the Spanish Civil War
Background
The Spanish Civil War, which lasted from 1936 to 1939, had a significant impact on the Basque Country. When the Republic was proclaimed in 1931, it faced opposition in the Basque Country, where traditional and Catholic values were strong. The strongest parties in the region were the Carlists and the Nationalists, both of which were deeply religious.
Despite the signing of the San Sebastian Pact in favor of the Republic, the Nationalists and Carlists refused to participate. The Republic, however, established a non-federal state that allowed for the autonomy of municipalities and regions.
Autonomy Attempts
The Basque Country made several attempts to gain autonomy during this period. In 1931, the EAJ-PNV (Basque Nationalist Party) performed well in elections, and the Nationalists gained support in Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa, while the Carlists were strong in Nafarroa and Araba.
An initial draft of an autonomy statute was passed by most municipalities in Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa, Araba, and Nafarroa. However, by the time it reached the Cortes (Spanish parliament), the constitution had already established conditions for autonomy. The Estella Lizarra Statute was ultimately rejected by the Cortes.
When the Right came to power in 1933, they reversed all laws related to Basque autonomy. As a result, all initiatives in favor of autonomy were rejected by the government.
The Uprising
On July 18, 1936, a military rebellion against the Second Republic succeeded in some parts of Spain, but failed in Catalonia, Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque coast. This led to a three-year civil war.
The rebels easily controlled Nafarroa and Araba, where Carlism had strong support. Resistance was organized in Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia through”Juntas de Defens” composed of socialists, republicans, anarchists, and Basque nationalists.
The population of the Basque Country was divided into antagonistic sides, and right-wing citizens were jailed and killed by popular militias.
The Autonomy Statute
The Basque Nationalist Party led the resistance and defense of Bizkaia. The PNV opposed the army’s involvement, fearing that it would undermine autonomy. They declared against fascism but also against social revolution, which was a real danger as popular militias assumed defense in the Republican zone.
The Republican government, sharing the PNV’s concerns, quickly approved the Basque Autonomy Statute. The so-called Elgeta Statute was approved by the Republican Cortes in October 1936, but only for Bizkaia. Navarra was not included, as its representatives had rejected the draft.
The municipalities elected the first Basque Government, with Jose Antonio Aguirre as Lehendakari (President). The government included socialists, republicans, and communists.
The Offensive on Bizkaia
The Basque government organized the defense of Bizkaia with party militias known as”gudaris” They attempted an offensive against the Nationalists, but it failed. To defend Bilbao, they built a defense fortification belt known as the”Iron Belt”
In 1937, General Mola launched an offensive on Bizkaia, aiming to capture Bilbao. The Iron Belt collapsed after bombing by the German Condor Legion and destruction in Durango and Gernika.
The Nationalist version, which persisted for a long time, claimed that the destruction of Gernika was ordered by Aguirre. Bilbao was evacuated by ships, and the Nationalists entered the city.
After the defeat, the Basque army surrendered to Italian troops. The Basque Government went into exile until the death of Franco, following the signing of the”Santoña Pac” between the Basque Government and the Italian army.