The Spanish Civil War: A Concise Overview
The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
Political Developments in the Republican Zone
Images found impeded coordination between the government and the army. The Communists had better organization and more discipline, while anarchists thought of putting the Revolution before the war, thereby neglecting discipline and organization. José Giral resigned in 1936, and Francisco Largo Caballero became Prime Minister. However, forces were not unified, and the government moved to Valencia.
In 1937, significant events took place in Catalonia. The Generalitat, with Lluis Companys, tried to recover several sectors dominated by the FAI, prompting a firefight between Government forces and the FAI, who had the help of the POUM and had been equipped in the telephone building of the Plaza de Catalunya. The confrontation resulted in 500 deaths. Companys sought assistance from the government, outlawed the POUM, and the CNT lost power. It was thought that communists were involved and wanted to get rid of the POUM.
In 1937, Juan Negrín was appointed government leader, approaching politics very personally. With Negrín, the government moved to Barcelona in 1938.
The Pro-Franco Side
Franco maintained an ambiguous position until it became clear that the coup could succeed. The circumstances were favorable at the time of conducting the war. These circumstances are due to the disappearance of those generals who might have been responsible for directing the conflict: Fanjul and Goded were removed to thwart the uprising in Madrid and the Balearics, Sanjurjo was killed in a plane crash, and Emilio Mola died in another plane crash in 1937. Franco had the advantage of being the general who led the army in Morocco.
There was also the shooting of José Antonio Primo de Rivera in Alicante, which left the Falange beheaded. International aid from Italy and Germany was channeled through Franco. On August 1, 1936, Franco was appointed commander of the south, two days after he was admitted to the Military Junta of Burgos. On September 21 of the same year, the Board decided to create a single command that fell on Franco, who was named “Generalissimo” despite the reluctance of some military personnel, including Mola and Cabanellas. In principle, the position of “Generalissimo” was only effective during the war. The military only agreed to end the parliamentary system, while Franco opted for a monarchy.
It was not only the military involved: there were the Falangists (Republican) and the Carlists (monarchists). The ideological debate would be postponed until after the war. Franco gradually undermined the different groups and gained leadership. He claimed the title of “leader” with the help of Serrano, who initiated action to discredit Gil Robles, one of the few figures that could overshadow Franco.
In March 1937, Franco issued the “Decree of Unification,” uniting all political persuasions of his supporters: the Traditionalist Spanish Falange and the Boards of the National Syndicalist Offensive. Dissidents were restrained. In this new formation, Mola was killed in June 1937. On the 30th of that month, Franco formed his first government in Burgos, with Serrano appointed as a minister.
The War
In 1936, the coup failed, and the conflict began. Madrid was the first goal. Troops moved from Morocco to the peninsula, landing in Cadiz and heading to the capital via Badajoz, which had remained in the hands of the Republic. From Badajoz, troops headed eastwards towards Madrid, but upon arriving at Talavera de la Reina, Franco decided to deviate and go to Toledo to rescue the Alcázar, where General Moscardó had refused to surrender. Once Toledo was won, troops surrounded Madrid, and the “Battle of Madrid” began, lasting the entire war. The capital was surrounded on the north, south, and west. The defense was led by the Republican General Miaja, while the government of the Republic moved to Valencia.
The Madrid attacks were conducted from the University Campus and Casa de Campo. On the south, General Varela’s troops began a movement to cut the road to Valencia, while troops from the northeast reached Guadalajara, where the “Battle of Jarama” took place, marking one of the most difficult moments in February 1937. Varela’s troops managed to cross the Jarama River but could not take the road, which remained open until the end of the war.
The “Battle of Guadalajara” aimed to take Madrid. The Italian general Roatta was rejected by the Garibaldi International Brigade. Madrid could not be taken, and the fronts were maintained throughout the conflict.
The North
Mola was responsible for directing operations in the north. The idea was to attack the Basque Country, Cantabria, and Asturias, diverting Republican troops north and checking out Madrid. On April 26, 1937, the “bombing of Guernica” occurred. In August of that year, Santander and Asturias fell. The northern Republican army tried to cross enemy lines and reach government territory; many took to the bush, fighting as guerrillas known as “maquis.”
The Republic’s Counteroffensive
The Republic’s counteroffensive occurred with the battles of Brunete and Belchite in an attempt to save the north of Spain by distracting Franco’s troops. They organized a counteroffensive in Teruel, which was taken in 1937 but was subsequently lost.
The Battle of the Ebro (1938)
Republican forces attacked on the way to Zaragoza. They fought for more than three months, ending with Franco’s victory. This meant the fall of Catalonia. Manuel Azaña, who was already outside of Spain, decided to resign. With the fall of Catalonia, the exodus across the French border began.
The End of the War
By the end of 1938, only Madrid and Levante remained under Republican control. In February 1939, France and Britain recognized the Burgos government, and other countries followed later. Colonel Casado began discussions with Burgos (Franco’s government) to reach peace. On April 1, 1939, Franco announced the end of the war and held a victory parade in the capital. The last Spanish city to fall to Franco was Alicante.