The Spanish Civil War: A Summary
The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
The Plots and the Uprising
The conspiracy to overthrow the Second Spanish Republic involved various factions:
- Monarchists: Seeking the restoration of the monarchy.
- Africanist Military: Generals Emilio Mola, Manuel Goded, Queipo de Llano, and Cabanellas, later joined by Francisco Franco.
- Cedistas (CEDA supporters): Serrano Suñer and José María Gil-Robles, with financial backing from Juan March.
The plan was for a swift coup, starting in Morocco on July 17, 1936. General Franco would lead the Army of Africa, while General Sanjurjo, exiled in Portugal, would head the uprising in Spain. The Republic was aware of the plot but underestimated its scale.
The uprising had mixed results. Mola succeeded in Pamplona, Queipo de Llano in Seville, and Cabanellas in Aragon. However, the coup failed in Madrid and Barcelona. Sanjurjo died in a plane crash, leaving the rebels without a clear leader.
The Forces and the Two Armies
Spain was divided. The Republican government, initially led by Casares Quiroga, hesitated to arm the people. This allowed the rebels to gain ground. Quiroga resigned and was replaced by José Giral, who distributed arms, leading to the formation of popular militias.
The Republican Army:
- Lacked experienced officers, relying on figures like General Miaja and communist leaders like Modesto and Lister.
- Suffered from internal conflicts between anarchists, communists, and the POUM (Workers’ Party of Marxist Unification).
- Faced challenges due to regional autonomy, particularly in the Basque Country.
The Nationalist Army:
- Benefited from a more unified command structure and experienced officers, including General Varela.
- Possessed the battle-hardened Army of Africa (Legion and Regulars).
Internationalization of the War
The conflict drew international attention. A Non-Intervention Committee was formed, but Italy and Germany supported Franco with troops and supplies. The Soviet Union aided the Republic, and the International Brigades, volunteers from various countries, fought on the Republican side.
Support for Franco:
- Financial backing from American companies.
- Italian troops and supplies from Mussolini.
- German tactical support and the Condor Legion, led by Wolfram von Richthofen.
Support for the Republic:
- Limited support from France due to the Non-Intervention Committee.
- Military equipment and training from the Soviet Union.
- International Brigades.
Repression
Both sides engaged in repression. The “Red Terror” in Republican areas was often uncontrolled violence against perceived enemies. The “White Terror” in Nationalist areas was more systematic, targeting political opponents, Freemasons, intellectuals, and left-leaning individuals.
Notable instances of repression include the massacre at Badajoz by Nationalist forces and the Paracuellos killings by Republican forces.
Position of the Church
The Catholic Church largely supported the Nationalist uprising. The Bishop of Salamanca’s pastoral letter framed the conflict as a crusade against Bolshevism and Freemasonry. Pope Pius XI implicitly endorsed the Nationalist side. Some priests, however, remained loyal to the Republic.