The Spanish Civil War and Franco’s Regime in Catalonia
The Civil War in Catalonia (1936-1939)
Collectivizations (July to September 1936)
Following the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, industries were paralyzed. From July 24th, a sense of normalcy returned as workers’ committees were established, particularly in agricultural properties. These committees implemented regulations including wage setting, holiday allowances, and the allocation of profits towards social services like hospitals and schools.
In July 1936, the Minister of Economy of Catalonia (CNT-FAI) was created to coordinate these efforts. In August 1936, the Commission of Industry and War was established to transform industries for war production and control the distribution of war materials. The Catalan government also assumed the powers of the Bank of Spain in Catalonia to manage finances.
Collectivization efforts were more successful in large agricultural estates than in smaller properties, which were more prevalent in Catalonia. The Rabassaires league (ERC) was the most important union, often clashing with anarchist groups.
Significant collectivization also occurred on the Aragon front, especially in areas controlled by the POUM. However, by August 1937, the collectivization process had lost momentum due to the events of May 1937. While industrial collectivization continued, agricultural collectivization declined.
The Aragon Front (July 1936 – May 1937)
With the onset of the Civil War, anarchists took control in Catalonia. The initial objective was to defend the Aragon front. As the Republic lacked a standing army, various independent columns were sent to fight against Franco’s forces. These columns consisted of volunteers who were later replaced by a regular army.
The main columns were: anarchist (Durruti/Ortiz), POUM, PSUC, Villalba (Republican), and Macià-Companys (ERC). These columns faced significant challenges, including a lack of arms and ammunition. The Madrid government did not prioritize the Aragon front, marking the end of the first phase of the war in Catalonia.
The May Events of 1937 and the Battle of the Ebro (July – November 1938)
The May Events: The May Events were not a frontline conflict but an outbreak of violence in Barcelona. They stemmed from ideological confrontations within the Republic between the CNT, FAI, and POUM (supporters of a gradual revolution) and the Catalan government led by ERC, PSUC, and UGT (supporters of a post-war revolution). There was also a parallel conflict between the Trotskyist POUM and the Stalinist PSUC.
The conflict erupted when government forces attempted to seize the Telephone Exchange building, which was collectivized by anarchist workers. The CNT and FAI, who managed the company, resisted. The fighting spread throughout the city, resulting in over 500 deaths. The army intervened to restore order on May 7th.
Consequences:
- For the anarchists: The CNT and FAI were marginalized within the government, with their ministers removed. The PSUC and PCE gained influence due to Soviet support for the Republic.
- For the POUM: The POUM faced persecution for its Trotskyist ideology. Its leader, Andrés Nin, was kidnapped by Soviet agents, taken to Madrid, and executed. The PSUC accused the POUM of being fascist spies.
- For the government: The government assumed responsibility for public order and justice, canceling the powers of the Catalan government.
The Battle of the Ebro: The Battle of the Ebro (July-November 1938) had two main objectives:
- Military: To delay Franco’s offensive towards Valencia.
- Moral: To restore the credibility and morale of the Republican army.
The Republican offensive began in late July 1938 but ultimately failed due to a lack of fuel and supplies. This highlighted the disparity between the Republican and Franco’s armies.
The Occupation of Catalonia (January-February 1939)
On February 9th, Franco’s troops reached La Jonquera, and on February 12th, the borders were closed, marking the end of the war in Catalonia.
Franco’s Regime in Catalonia
Franco’s Totalitarian Regime
Franco established a totalitarian fascist regime characterized by:
- Division of Spain into winners and losers.
- Strict hierarchy with Franco at the top.
- Purging of officials based on their loyalty to the regime.
- Centralization of power.
Centralization
Franco’s regime was highly centralized. The Generalitat of Catalonia and other regional autonomies were abolished. Powers of municipalities and provincial councils were curtailed. Public finances were reformed, with the state controlling budget distribution.
Institutions Supporting Franco’s Regime
Franco relied on three main institutions to maintain his power:
- The Army
- The Catholic Church
- The Spanish Falange of the Traditionalist National Syndicalist Offensive Boards (FET-JONS)
- The Vertical Syndicate
Education
Education became a cornerstone of Franco’s regime. Schools were purged of Republican teachers, who were replaced with those loyal to the regime. Boys and girls were educated separately. The teaching methods emphasized memorization and discipline over experimentation and individualism.
The curriculum was also changed, with the introduction of “National Spirit Training,” which indoctrinated children with Franco’s ideology.
Other Aspects of Franco’s Regime
- Military service: Used as a tool for re-education.
- Leisure and entertainment: Aligned with the Church.
- Moral politics: Aligned with the Church.
- Media: Controlled by the regime, with censorship and filtering of information.
Economy: Autarky and Economic Disaster
From 1939 to 1950, Franco’s regime implemented a policy of autarky, aiming for economic self-sufficiency. Imports were minimized, but this policy failed as Spain lacked essential resources like oil, gas, and coal.
Production was controlled, prices were fixed by the government, and rationing was implemented. This led to the emergence of a black market where goods were sold at inflated prices. Corruption was widespread, with authorities and entrepreneurs complicit in the black market.
The black market and autarky resulted in economic disaster. Spain’s economy did not recover to pre-war levels until 1955. In the early 1950s, industrial oligarchies, with the help of Opus Dei, intervened with development plans.
Resistance to Franco’s Regime (until 1960)
In the early years of Franco’s regime, there were two main forms of resistance:
- Armed guerrilla warfare (Maquis): Armed groups continued the fight after the official end of the war in 1939. There were three phases in their struggle:
- 1939-1943: Desperate and isolated struggle.
- 1943-1946: Increased activity after World War II, with some guerrilla groups joining the fight against Franco.
- 1947: Decline of the Maquis due to increased persecution and isolation.
- Other forms of resistance: Strikes, sabotage, and clandestine publications.
By 1960, armed resistance had largely disappeared, with only isolated individuals continuing the fight. The last Maquis fighter in Spain, Ramon Vila “Caraquemada,” was killed in 1963.