Causes:

1. Long term
2. Short term
3. Triggers
Outcomes:
1. Interior polices
2. Economic
3. International affairs
Why did they win?
1. Policies
2. Military
3. Economics
4. Foreign support
Role of foreign intervention
1. Political intervention - GB, FR, GER, USSR
2. Military support - GB, FR, GER, USSR, IT, PORT,

SPANISH CIVIL WAR

17 July 1936 - 1 April 1939

REASONS OF THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR

Long term causes (1820 - 1931)

Weaknesses of government - Spain had been constitutional monarchy (King as the head of the
state, appointing prime minister, who should command majority in the government - the Cortes);
Cortes elected only by male population - wealthy oligarchs having power; two main parties:
Conservatives and Liberals; no democracy, elections corrupted

The Spanish Army - powerful position in the state; having right and duty to intervene in politics
(due to imperial past); not always acting to save the King ( resulting in Kingʼs exile in 1931); army
unpopular among the society - brutality, required heavy taxes to maintain; ineffective - lost Spanish
Empire in 19th century, lost war with America in 1898, struggle to keep control in Morocco
(1906-1926); generally too big, too many officers

The Church - Catholic church rich and powerful; controlling education; wealth enabled to gain
political and social influence; social, political and economic conservatism; against any reforms and
liberals; close connections with aristocracy; more popular in rural areas, in many cities riots agains
church

Economic problems - discontent of peasants - key factor of the civil war; most of the society
employed in agriculture; but could not produce efficient amount of food, work only seasonal;
people migrating to search for work; great gap between rich and poor;

In the north peasants

South and centre land owning small plots of
owned by latifundia, land but too small to
who dominated the make proper living
political system standards

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In countryside more and more frequent riots Civil Guards violently repressing them
peasantry looking for support from Anarchists (they argued about redistribution of land); but still
many catholic peasant opposing anarchists and socialistsʼ ideas

Industrially Spain was backward, in strong need of reforms; no industrialization because of no

money (especially in the south); workers having bad working conditions and low wages trade
unions more and more popular, competing with themselves (CNT and UGT), still no political power,
no legal means of improving situation

Economic boom during the 1WW (Spain neutral), more exports inflation, shortages; working
conditions lowered, militancy of the middle-class increased; violent conflicts between employees
and employers (e.g. in Catalonia)

Regionalism - Catalonia and Basque(having separate language and culture, church, industry)
demanding independence and decentralization;

Political opposition - many groups opposing status quo in Spain.

• " Liberal movement - little achievements, but supporting revolution and getting rid of the King
• " PSOE (Spanish Socialist Party) - support in urban areas, but minimal impact
• " UGT - organizing strikes and protests in the cities
• " Communists Parties - emerged after Bolshevik revolution, but divided over the reforms:
- radicals led by Largo Caballero
- moderate socialists led by Indalecio Preto
• " Anarchists - support mainly thanks to the redistribution of land; argued for revolutionary
methods, boycott of democracy
- trade union CNT - active in organizing strikes
- more radical FAI - action by bombings and assassinations

Fall of monarchy & Primo de Rivera

" King Alfonso XIII failed because he was not willing to introduce any reforms, also Spain
defeat in Morocco and economy hit by depression after 1WW did not helped him;
" Primo de Rivera organizing coup" overthrowing king becoming military dictator,
trying to establish an authoritarian right-wing regime (basing on Mussoliniʼs one) introduction
of many infrastructure reforms, improving industry, but he made huge debts Spain in horrific
condition when Wall Street Crash came De Rivera resigned in 1930 (dictatorship would not
resolve Spainʼs problems...) elections in April support for San Sebastian Pact (coalition of
parties) King went into voluntary exile after this ʻvelvet revolutionʼ Second Republic
established
! Paul Preston: “Spainʼs problems could be resolved only by war”

Short-term causes (1931-1936)

The Left Republic (April 1931 - November 1933) - in the elections left parties won -
establishment of new constitution, Manuel Azana as the President; but problems still unsolved;
• anticlerical policy, separating church and the state, power of army also limited;
• poor industrial situation, unemployment growing, 1932 - redistribution of land to peasants but on
a small extent (7000 families received land, coz no money); RIGHT perceiving this as
copying Soviet policies from the USSR;
• Assault Guard introduced in the Left Republic to deal with violent riots (of both opposition and left
parties(coz reforms to slow), army still loyal, so able to suppress all uprisings;
• Catalonia given own parliament RIGHT perceiving as step towards break-up of Spain
• January 1933 - burning houses in attempt to get rid of anarchists (25ppl killed) Azana lost
support resigned in 1933

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New rightist party set up - CEDA - to defend church and landlords; modeled on the German Nazi
Party

The Right Republic (November 1933 - February 1936) - after elections right and centrist parties
having more support; CEDA the largest party
• Two first years - black years - reversing all reforms introduced by the leftist parties (church power
restored over education, clergy again paid by the state, land program halted; Catalonia trying to
resist announcing independence after CEDA joined the government, but they failed after
Asturian minerʼs uprising in 1934 which was put down by troops) LEFT frightening general
strike, violence spreading, Basques supporting left from now on

Popular Front (February - July 1936) - elections in February Popular Front (anti-fascist pact
made up of various left-wing groups) won some perceiving this as an attempt to introduce real
democracy, for others it seemed to be the victory of Stalin and communism
• Again restoring reforms from Left Republic and political prisoners released, but still no political
agreement Caballeroʼs socialists did not joined government, right not accepting either;
• Anarchists encouraging peasants to seize land; general increase in violence; they also recruited
openly new members to organize bombings and assassination
• GENERAL DISORDER open conflict between fascist CEDA, anarchist FAI, Falange(blue-shirted
uniforms, founded by son of Primo de Rivera, demanded strong authoritarian regime, but were against
radical social changes); CNT calling for general strike in May, several general strike throughout
June

Immediate causes

Victory of left in 1936 CEDA in turmoil, giving money for military groups planning coup (they
started planning, when Popular Front won) - date of coup set on 18 July 1936
Extreme nationalists junior officers joined with Africanista officers (inc. Mola & Franco)
13 July 1936 - murder of a popular CEDA leader
Details of coup discovered - coup to begin one day earlier, starting in Morocco

" Start spreading to north and Andalusia (with successes) but failed in urban areas,
failed to take Madrid half of the army remained loyal to the Republic
Generally: FAIL

COURSE OF THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR

1. With assistance of Germany Franco able to transport his African troops (high-qualified) to
Spain Franco using terror and moving towards Madrid success there + successes of
Mola in the northern parts of Spain
2. War polarized two sides: Loyalists (supporters of Republicans; workers, peasants of south,
Basques and Catalans) and Nationalists (rebells; middle and upper class, church, peasants
from north and centre)
3. In first few weeks Nationalists winning, but Republicans still in control of most urban areas,
having Spainʼs gold reserves and most of air and naval force which remained loyal.
Nevertheless Nationalists able to push Republicans out of Spain.

Nature of the Spanish Civil War

" total war for Spain - propaganda used for a large scale to dehumanize enemy; atrocities
common; no difference between combatants and civilians
" Military: SPW fought “at crossroad in the evolution of modern warfare”; importance of
new technology (DOMINANCE OF AIRCRAFT); but still as in the WW1 defense easier than

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offensive; but in large battles technique of Blitzkrieg evolved (tanks, artillery and bombarding from
air in advance)

OUTCOMES OF THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR

Human cost - 100 000 Republicans killed + 70 000 Nationalists + killing continued after the war
Franco launched “white terror” to get rid of the opposition, further 40 000 killed

Economy - total devastation for many years: 15% of wealth destroyed, 28% lower income per
capita, 70% of industry machinery had to be replaced + rebuilding of all destroyed cities; HIGH
INFLATION; Francoʼs agricultural economy remained insufficient and ineffective,
UNEMPLOYMENT; massive debts to pay; due to human costs lack of skilled workers.
" Quite better situation when WW2 came - Franco trying to get leverage on GB and FR and
GER debt in return for remaining neutral. FR & GB agreed, GER used in return Spain resources,
what weakened eco situation
" In the times of Cold War, Spain less isolated and effectively rebuilding economy. Capitalist
system enabled to develop strong industry.

Political changes - Franco becoming Spainʼs dictator till 1975; main policy - to save country from
communism (white terror excused) all intellectuals were exiled. In Spain only supporters of
church and conservative views, Law of Political Responsibility enabled Franco to punish
Republicans, confiscate their land and sentence them to death; to restore power of privileged
class; to control working class; CNT and UGT destroyed; Republicans could not be employed;
" “era of the national church” - France Lannon “the church enjoyed the degree of
support that was much greater than at any time since the 18th century. ‘; church took
workers and made links with their movements;
" Demands for independence form Catalons and Basques also ended - usage of their
language forbidden, power centralized in Madrid
" nevertheless political stability, but after defeat of fascist power in WW2 Franco more
vulnerable he agreed to restore the King; army lost dominance when Morocco gained
independence
" After Francoʼs death - democracy! Years under dictator called “frozen years”

International effects of the Spanish Civil War

USSR - the war undermined credibility of communism on the international arena; Stalinʼs cynical
attitude towards Republicans disillusioned his especially intellectualists supporters; after the war
Stalin had also changed his policy, he no longer attempted to ally with Western Powers against
Germany (NIC showed that GB of FR would not take decisive steps against GER, Munich
conference confirmed that) Stalin looking for an alliance with GER

Germany & Italy - Hitler able to test his military during the Spanish CW turned out that the
aircraft are crucial force during the war; also testing bullet-resistant fuel tanks they needed
radio to contact, what was to be improved;
" The war brought Italy and Germany together; Germany felt stronger by the behavior of FR
and GB; Germany turned out to be the main power fighting with communism

Great Britain & France - spread of communism as the general threat in the countries; GB lost the
respect of GER; policy of appeasement generally encouraged Hitler to be more aggressive

Why did the Nationalists win the Spanish Civil War?

Weaknesses of the Republicans:

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• Political disunity - key division between communists, socialists(believing that revolution should
be started when the war is over) and anarchists (arguing that the war can be won only by
revolution); increase in communism popularity, the only party in Loyalists group which has the
support of foreign power (USSR); communists and socialists wanted the war to strengthen 2nd
Republic, anarchists wanted to establish new revolutionary regime; May Days in Barcelona
(1937) fightings communists and socialists against anarchists
• Military problems - no leadership, communists and anarchists not willing to work together,
Basques did not want their forces to fight outside their territory, loyal officers not trusted by
Republicans...; different fronts fighting separately, no one general campaign until militias started
being replaced with Popular Army
• Economic problems - where anarchists in control public utilities taken over by workersʼ
committees; in countryside collective farms set up; no of this could efficiently supply Republicans;
INFLATION reaching 300%;
" NIC (Non-Intervention Committee) established by GB and FR for the purpose of preventing
foreign countries to support fighting parties in Spain Republicans out of gold
ON THE OTHER HAND centralization of power did improve situation of Republicans significantly in
the later stages of war, but TOO LATE
• Foreign assistance - assistance given to Republicans was much more limited that this given to
Nationalists;
" main ally - USSR (soviets initially saved Republicans and enabled them to fight a civil war),
given aircraft and tanks initially much better than these given by Germans, but no troops sent,
assistance had to be paid immediately - all gold reserves went to Moscow
" International Brigades - organized by Soviet Comintern - 35 000 foreign volunteers went to
fight on the Republicansʼ side - their contribution only visible while fighting for Madrid, overall their
commitment very limited - in the end Soviet withdrew their support for IB (final blow for R.)

Strengths of the Nationalists:

• Political unity - in the beginning also disunity, but nevertheless they had common aim:
destroying government, what enabled them to cooperate effectively; Franco emerging as a
leader - it was agreed that he would hold military and political control, he became head of
government and state
" France able to merge two parties - Carlists (70 000) and Falange (1 000 000) into the new
party - FET (Spanish Traditionalists Phalanax); Franco had support of the church (church calling
for “denouncement of atheists communism” etc. propaganda!)
• Military unity - in contrast to Republicans, Nationalists able to convert militias into the regular
army; Army of Africa!!! best troops, could cover for other forces while they were trained and
equipped (CRUCIAL, the most effective force in the Spanish CW); Franco as an excellent leader,
all units (including Italian ones) were obedient, he did not introduce any radical steps advised by
GER, he cared about his troops <3
• Super economy - business community backed Franco, so they could get huge credit to afford
war supplies + 700 million dollars credit from USA, could buy US rubber and oil ; also by Sept
1936 Nationalists were in control of food producing areas, in 1937 also took industrial main areas
• Foreign assistance - Hugh Thomas ʻSPW became an international crisis whose solution
was decided by external factors’ - foreign assistance crucial for Nationalists success
- Germans: airlifted Francoʼs Africanistas from Morocco + Condor Legion (10 000 troops, 800
aircraft, 200 tanks
- Italy: 70 000 troops
- Portugal: 20 000 troops + aid especially on the borders
FROM ALL MODERN EQUIPMENT ESSENTIAL (MORE THAN MANPOWER)

What was the role of foreign intervention?

Great Britain: establishing of Non-Intervention Committee in 1936 (GB afraid of spreading the
conflict for the whole Europe), but FAIL three key members GER, IT, USSR ignored non-
intervening in the war and became main foreign forces in the SCW + GB non-intervention policies
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tended to support Nationalists too (they could use Gibraltar as a communication base, R. Could
not); British and Americans also traded with Nationalists. Why was it so? GB wanted to avoid
spreading of a conflict, but trying not to destroy positive relations with Italy or Portugal

France: France afraid to have next right-wing regime in the neighborhood (having already in GER
and IT) but also reliant on GB so partial support for Nationalists (joining NIC) an partial for
Republicans ( International Brigades organized mainly in France; France also as the centre for the
coordination of Soviet aid)

USSR: Russia was afraid of Nationalists success another fascist country in Europe, hat would
strengthen Hitlerʼs position in Europe, but on the other hand Republicanʼs victory = France &
Britain may ally with Hitler agains spread of communism; Russia joining NIC, but as others ignored
the rules the also did. Supporting Republicans, to limited extend, in June 1938 left the war. Why
they entered the war? Staling hoping the long war to weaken Hitler, he also hoped that the war will
end in general European war that would take place far away form Russia then.

German: supported Nationalists because they wanted to stop spread of communism, but also it
was an opportunity to test new aircraft + opportunity to gain iron + possible access to Anglo-French
maritime communications; initially member of NIC, but left in 1937; they supplied Franco through
Portugal, prepared bombing of Guernica, crucial while taking Catalonia + presence of Germans
deterred other governments from involving

Italy: most assistance of all involved powers. Why? Demonstrating anti-communists and pro-
fascist politics; showing greatness of Italy + showing influence in the Mediterranean; weakening
France and preventing its left-wing influence in Spain = putting pressure on French colonies in
Africa. 50 000 -70 000 soldiers sent, many tanks and submarines, aircraft bombed whole cities; IT
involved into NIC, but ignored the rules; relations with Germany cemented

Portugal: only country which did not join NIC, 20 000 troops sent, constant supplying Nationalists,
providing base for communication