Spanish Civil War: Causes, Development, and Impact
On July 18, 1936, a group of generals rebelled against the Republic, expecting a quick victory. However, the strength of security forces loyal to the Republic and militants of political organizations and trade unions doomed the uprising in much of the country, triggering a long civil war. The demand for military and political support from both the government of the Republic and the rebels opened the door to internationalize the conflict. Finally, the intervention of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy in favor of the rebels decisively conditioned the final result of the civil war.
Causes of the Spanish Civil War
The civil war was known in Europe as “The War in Spain” and was a foretaste of the struggle between fascism, communism, and democracy. Although, in an internal context, we understand it as the old confrontation between the dominant groups that resort to armed rebellion with the support of the army and the Church, and the new emerging classes, who want a democratic and social justice.
The causes of the war are divided into three blocks:
- Root and Structural Causes: The Republic’s intent to solve Spain’s fundamental problems faced profound social opposition. These problems included the agrarian problem and the strength of the oligarchy, the social and labor problem and protective labor legislation, the religious problem and the attempt to create a secular state and the opposition of the Catholic Church, the educational problem (60% of the population was illiterate), and the problem of organizing the state (nationalism vs. centralism).
- Proximate Causes: These included the global economic downturn and worsening living conditions since 1932, the uprising in Asturias in 1934 and the anti-social actions of the CEDA government, the rise of fascism in Europe (Italy and Germany), and the creation of the Popular Front policy in reaction to fascism.
- Triggers: The triggers were the conspiracy in place since 1933, in which military, Carlists, Alfonsists, and Falangists prepared the armed uprising against the Republic, and the failure of the coup that degenerated into civil war.
Development of the War
Emilio Mola (director of the survey) declared a state of war and proceeded to the arrest and removal of top political leaders from the left union. The blast came forward on July 17 in Morocco and a day later in the peninsula. Spain was divided into two camps: those loyal to the Republic (whose supporters were industrial workers, laborers, and petty bourgeoisie fearful of social revolution) and the rebels (whose supporters were part of the army, landowners, Catholic groups, and traditionalists). Simultaneously, the Republican government led by Giral and the rebellious faction led by General Franco requested military aid from the European powers.
On behalf of the Republic were France, the USSR, the workers’ parties, and progressive Catholic groups. In addition, the International Brigades (volunteers to defend the Republic) were created. The Republic financed the war with the gold reserves of the Bank of Spain. On the other hand, in favor of the rebels were Great Britain, Italy, Germany, conservative Catholics, the papacy, and Portugal. Germany sent the Condor Legion, and Mussolini sent a body of volunteer troops and weaponry. In August 1936, France and Britain promoted the creation of the Non-Intervention Committee, which banned the export to Spain of weapons, ammunition, and all kinds of war material. However, it was all a farce that left the government of the Republic at a distinct disadvantage. The military revolt sparked a social revolution throughout much of the territories controlled by the Republic, which led to the disintegration of the Republican army.
The aim of the rebels was to take Madrid. Mola started forward but was stopped, so Franco helped with troops from Morocco. Thanks to German and Italian aid, they released the Alcazar of Toledo but failed to win Madrid, and Franco changed his strategy. He initiated a northern front, dropping bombs on the civilian population of Durango and Guernica. The Republicans launched an offensive, but the crisis of the Largo Caballero government, the formation of the Negrín government, and the north were delayed and almost “national.” Franco came back to Madrid, and the Negrín government launched an offensive in Teruel, which was suppressed by the rebels, like that of Aragon. The Republican side was divided into two areas, isolating Catalonia. The Battle of the Ebro took place with the aim of uniting the Republican areas but was suppressed by the rebels. Franco managed to take Barcelona and Gerona, and Catalonia sank. Moreover, the United Kingdom and France recognized the Franco government. In late March 1939, Franco’s armies entered Madrid and occupied the rest of the country, ending the war.
Differing Approaches to the War
There is a contrast in how the different parties approached the war. On the Republican side, the government went bankrupt, which led to a social revolution because of organizational chaos and lack of unity of command and criteria. In addition, the army disappeared, and volunteer militias were created. The Largo Caballero government created the People’s Army and had problems with communists and anarchists, who followed their own policy of collectivization and did not integrate their militias into the Popular Army. The Negrín government was formed only by parties without union presidents, with a strong communist presence, and its objectives were extreme resistance and negotiated settlement. Finally, military difficulties and weariness of war extended to the Republican zone.
The rebel zone meant the creation of a totalitarian state contrary to liberalism, democracy, separatism, and communism. On October 1, 1936, a decree was published appointing Franco Generalissimo of the army and head of government of the Spanish State. A single party was created, the Traditionalist Spanish Falange de las JONS, dissolving all other organizations and political parties. Finally, in 1938, Franco adopted the title of Caudillo and led the way toward establishing a personal dictatorship.
Consequences of the Spanish Civil War
The consequences of the conflict were seen in the human losses (about half a million) of war and repression. Exile also influenced negatively because large groups of intellectuals left the country at the expense of culture. The economy was devastated, with the Treasury ruined and half the country destroyed (civilian infrastructure, public buildings, industrial crop fields, roads, etc., were destroyed). In conclusion, the aftermath of the war remains controversial, with a rise in interest, being one of the most important events of the contemporary history of the twentieth century. Its consequences have marked the life and historical memory of Spanish society, but also internationally, in countries that faced each other later in World War II.