The Spanish Civil War: Causes, Course, and Consequences
The rebel side had the support of: Phalangists, Carlist Alfonsinos Royalists, most of the CEDA, part of the Catalan League, small landowners, Catholic Church, and stationed military officers.
The Popular Front had the support of: More than half of the army, laborers, and the small progressive bourgeoisie.
Franco’s side: Hitler sent military equipment and aircraft to transport troops from Africa to Spain. He also sent the “Legion Condor” and 600 aircraft, motivated by economic reasons (ores, raw materials) and strategic interests (weakening France). Mussolini sent 1,000 tanks, 2,000 guns, 700 planes, ammunition, and fuel. He also sent 50,000 men, driven by ideological sympathy and the desire to gain an ally in the Mediterranean. Much of the debt was forgiven.
The Republican side was denied help by France and Great Britain due to fear of Hitler and Mussolini. The USSR provided weapons. Stalin approved the dispatch of hundreds of planes and tanks for several reasons: 1) to compensate for domestic support of Germany and Italy, 2) to maintain the international credibility of the USSR, and 3) to divert the attention of fascist powers from East-Central Europe. The Republicans paid with gold and silver reserves from the Bank of Spain.
The Soviets created the International Brigades, a military force of roughly 40,000 volunteers from around the world, to combat the rise of fascism.
Phases of the War
Phase 1 (July 1936 – Mid-1937): Franco moved from Morocco with 50,000 men. German planes crossed Gibraltar to Andalusia and later advanced towards Madrid. The rebel army surpassed the Republican side in organization, discipline, and supplies. Both sides persecuted and executed those deemed enemies.
Phase 2 (Mid-1937 – Summer 1938): Franco’s troops took the northern peninsula. Civilians were bombed in Valencia, Madrid, and Barcelona. Guernica was destroyed. Heavy fighting occurred in the Ebro region, and Aragon and Castellon were occupied.
Phase 3 (July 1938 – April 1939): The Republican offensive at the Ebro River failed, leaving the Republic vanquished. In December 1938, Catalonia fell, and on March 28, 1939, Madrid fell, ending the war.
Political Landscape
The Republican side lacked political unity. Anarchists believed that winning the war and achieving a complete social and economic revolution were inseparable, fueling the collectivization of land. Communists and socialists believed that revolution hindered effective war efforts and preferred to postpone addressing the capitalist system until after victory.
The rebels lacked a defined political project. In September 1936, they chose Francisco Franco as “Head of State,” granting him absolute power. This was due to his military successes, his ability to connect with Germany and Italy, and the lack of rivals.
Franco’s early actions included: 1) overriding agrarian law, 2) banning political parties, 3) creating the Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las JONS, 4) abolishing the right to strike, 5) censoring publications, and 6) abolishing regional autonomy statutes.
Although the war ended on April 1, 1939, there was no peace. Franco’s “Law of Political Responsibility” retroactively pursued those who had collaborated with the Republicans. Military tribunals conducted hasty trials, lacking due process. Special Courts issued less severe punishments.
Consequences of the War
Demographic
Around 243,000 died in combat. Additional deaths resulted from disease, malnutrition, and migration. The total population loss was between 750,000 and 1 million.
Economic
Agricultural production decreased by 20%, leading to famine and rationing. Industrial production decreased by 30%. The navy lost 1/3 of its tonnage, railways lost 40% of their locomotives and wagons, and road transport was reduced by 70%. 500,000 houses were destroyed, with over 60% destruction in 200 locations. The war cost 6 trillion pesetas.
Social and Cultural
Food rationing led to widespread hunger and a black market. The regime purged those deemed disloyal. Republican propaganda mobilized the people against fascism, while Nationalist propaganda emphasized traditional values.
Education and Exile
Further information needed on the effects on education and the exile.