Understanding the Spanish Civil War: A Concise History
The Outbreak of the Spanish Civil War
The military uprising began in Melilla, Tetuan, and Ceuta on July 17, 1936. The following day, it spread throughout Spain, gaining traction particularly in rural areas while failing in more industrialized regions. Within the country, the rebels were supported by conservative military factions, landowners, the gentry, monarchists, Carlists, and many Catholics. Conversely, the Republicans had the backing of progressive military personnel, landless peasants, the petty bourgeoisie, and leftist parties.
A committee of non-intervention was formed internationally to prevent foreign support for either side from triggering a world war. However, this committee could not prevent aid from reaching both factions. The rebels received assistance from Germany and Italy, while the Republic was supported by the USSR and the International Brigades, composed of over 40,000 volunteers from various countries.
Key Objectives and Military Campaigns
The primary objective of the coup was to seize Madrid. Consequently, two army corps were directed against the capital: one sent from Navarre and another from Africa, led by General Franco. However, the resistance encountered and the defeats at Jarama and Guadalajara in 1937 forced a change in plans. The war initially favored the rebels in the Cantabrian region, the incorporation of which gave them control of key industrial and mining areas. They then focused on the Mediterranean, aiming to split the Republican zone.
To prevent this, the Republicans launched the Ebro offensive, which resulted in heavy casualties on both sides. Ultimately, the rebels were victorious and seized Catalonia. Finally, they advanced on Madrid, which surrendered without resistance, followed by the remaining Republican areas. On April 1, 1939, Franco signed the final war report, declaring the war over.
Political Actions During the War
On the Republican side, a social revolution occurred, leading to the collectivization of land and industries, along with widespread unrest, strong anti-clerical sentiment, and the approval of the Basque autonomy statute. The government was initially led by Francisco Largo Caballero, a socialist, and later, from 1937, by Juan Negrín. The government was weakened by divisions between anarchists and radical communists.
In the Nationalist area controlled by the rebels, all reforms of the Republic were reversed. Franco consolidated all civilian and military power and decreed the unification of all political forces supporting him into a single party: the Spanish Traditionalist Phalanx and the Boards of the National Syndicalist Offensive (FET y de las JONS). All efforts were focused on winning the war, prioritizing a military victory.
Consequences of the Spanish Civil War
The war had a major impact, including significant loss of life, the imposition of an authoritarian political system, destruction of fields, industries, transportation, buildings, and infrastructure. It also led to the social triumph of more conservative groups and the Church, which supported the Nationalist side, and cultural impoverishment caused by the exile of prominent figures in culture and art.
On the Republican side, there was a social revolution that led to the collectivization of land and industries and a multitude of disorders, a strong anti-clericalism and the approval of the Basque autonomy statute. The government was led by Francisco Largo Caballero socialist and communist since 1937 by Juan Negrín. The government was weakened by the division between anarchists and radical communists. At the national area controlled by the rebels, reversed all the reforms of the Republic, Franco concentrated all civilian and military power, and decreed the unification of all political forces that supported him in a single party led by, Falnge Spanish Traditionalist and the Boards of the National Syndicalist Offensive (FET and JONS). All efforts were focused on winning the war, favoring a military victory.
The war had important implications: loss of life; imposition of an authoritarian political system, destruction of fields, industries, transportation, buildings and infrastructure, social triumph of the more conservative groups and the Church, which supported the Nationalist side, and cultural impoverishment, caused by the forced exile of prominent figures of culture and art.