Spanish Civil War: Causes, Key Events, and Aftermath in Extremadura
Spanish Civil War: Causes, Key Events, and Aftermath
The Civil War’s end marked the beginning of a modernization process, bringing Spain closer to Western democratic countries. At this time, democracy, communism, and fascism were political formulas that sought to address the crisis of capitalism and the demands of social groups. The reforms initiated by the Democratic Republic failed to stop the progressive establishment of groups advocating for a workers’ revolution or a strong authoritarian state, creating a climate of violence. The war began when part of the army rebelled against the Republic, supported by certain parties and trade unions. Internationally, the conflict was seen as:
- A confrontation between democracy and fascism.
- A workers’ revolution that took place on the Republican side, causing fear among the Western powers.
Causes of the Spanish Civil War
The causes of the war were complex. From one perspective, it can be said that it was the end of a process where social conflicts were exacerbated, as manifested in the crisis of 1917. Immediate causes included:
- After the Popular Front’s victory in February 1936, the government was unable to control the country, overwhelmed by the turmoil of extremist groups in the street.
- The implementation of land reform that threatened the economic power of the oligarchy.
- The granting of the Statute of Autonomy for the Basque Country and Galicia, which, together with Catalonia, threatened national integrity.
- The deterioration of public order.
These factors accelerated the plan for a coup d’état. The war broke out after the coup failed and found strength in much of Spain. The military uprising took place on July 17 and 18, 1936, in the Canary Islands and parts of North Africa, moving to the mainland on the 18th. Spain was divided into two zones: those faithful to the Republic and the supporters of the insurgents. A war that would last three years began. The outbreak of war was the result of the failure of the statement addressed by General Mola. The areas were fairly balanced. The rebels counted on the Army of Africa, and the government had large cities, much of the navy, and aviation. In contrast, there was an absence of military commanders and inexperienced but gifted troops.
Phases of the Spanish Civil War
The development of the conflict is based on three phases:
- July 17, 1936, to mid-1937: From Africa and southern Spain, the insurgent forces advanced towards Madrid, being detained around the capital. In the rear of both sides, enemies were persecuted and executed.
- Mid-1937 to Summer 1938: Franco’s troops took the lead and conquered the northern area. The Republican area was divided, and Catalonia was left alone. It was a phase where the war was total, and innovative strategies were applied. Cities were bombed, and psychological warfare was used.
- July 1938 to April 1939: After the failure of the Republican offensive in the Battle of the Ebro, Catalonia was lost. For the Republican side, control of the area was limited to Madrid, part of the southern plateau, and east to Almeria. Some attempts at negotiation were categorically rejected by Franco. “National” forces fell in Madrid on March 28, and on April 1, the last part of the war was issued.
Consequences of the Spanish Civil War
On April 1, 1939, Franco proclaimed victory; the war was over. There were about 300,000 deaths, and another 300,000 went into exile. A similar number suffered imprisonment in Franco’s prisons. The destruction of buildings, bridges, railways, roads, boats, crops, and livestock was incalculable. Three years of war left a deep imprint on Spain that would be projected for decades.
- Human Losses: Population losses were large, almost one million affected, to which would be added the unborn as a result of declining birth rates. This is more dramatic when one considers that most of the dead were young and mature, in the fullness of life.
- Material Losses: Agriculture and livestock losses were considerable. Plantings were reduced, and agricultural decline dropped due to a lack of manpower. Industrial facilities were severely damaged or destroyed. The production of the Spanish economy fell in all sectors. The social consequences were expressed directly from the economic crisis. Food shortages, rationing, purges, and exile produced a social crisis that lasted for decades.
- Moral Aftermath: More important than the material losses, shortages, and famine that the Spanish people had to endure were the moral wounds due to the repression on both sides and the war that led to the Franco regime. Deaths, jails, cleansing, migration, and displacement were injuries that would take many years to heal.
The Spanish Civil War was the dramatic event that marked the history of Spain for many decades. Even in our days, the war remains a fundamental reference point for many Spanish people who suffered and for the generations that lived under Franco. The Republic of 1931 was the most serious effort made in the history of our country to modernize from a democratic perspective. The result of the Civil War ushered in the dictatorship of General Franco. The dictatorship lasted until Franco’s death on November 20, 1975. After the death of the dictator, democracy was restored.
The Uprising in Extremadura
The uprising of the rebels had mixed support in the two provinces of Extremadura.
Caceres
In Caceres, opposition to the uprising was composed of the components of the Popular Front, workers, and peasants, poorly armed. Those who supported the rebels were the Algiers Regiment 27, the Civil Guard, and the Falangists, to which later joined the army in North Africa (regulars and Legionnaires). On July 17, supporters of the Popular Front called for weapons from the Civil Governor (Canales), who refused to deliver them, following the instructions of the government. On July 19, support for the uprising was established after receiving orders from Valladolid. The movement was started in the capital by the Algiers Regiment 27 in connection with the Guardia Civil and the Falange. A state of war was declared for the entire province. At the end of the day, the city was under the control of the insurgents. After the occupation of the capital, control of the province began. Little organized opposition was found, the only exception being the area of Campo Arañuelo and Ibores. In this area, the opposition of organized labor to the uprising provoked clashes with the rebels, who were not appeased until the arrival of Yagüe’s troops from Africa in August.
Badajoz
In Badajoz, the opposition was composed of the armed forces, police, assault forces, workers, and peasants. Support for the uprising came from the Falange, the Guardia Civil, the 1st Organic Division, and army troops in Africa. The coup was led by an envoy of General Mola, who mobilized a group of soldiers, the Falange, and the Guardia Civil. On July 19, weapons were surrendered to the population, taken from the barracks. This caused the uprising to be advanced one day; it was ready for the 20th. This impacted the coup, which failed to get all forces under government control. Later, a battalion was sent to Madrid to participate in the defense of the capital. As for the province, the rebels were only able to take the area of Villanueva de la Serena. The rest of the province remained under the command of the Republic, thanks to popular support. The rebels could not count on the support of the Civil Guard because it could not rise.
The Advance of the Rebels in Extremadura
Once on the peninsula, the rebel army took to the occupation because it would unite Andalusia, Extremadura, Castile, and Leon, the two areas in their power, and thus move forward on the capital. The occupation was carried out in two consecutive stages.
First Stage
The progress of the National troops from Andalusia began in August. Franco sent three forces and the Legion, taking Llerena, Fuente de Cantos, and Monesterio on August 5, Zafra and Los Santos de Maimona on the 6th, and then Jerez, Almendralejo. On the 11th, they occupied Merida, where the first organized resistance was encountered by General Yagüe. Regular forces assisted the Algiers Regiment from the capital, Caceres. Merida was a major hub of communications between Extremadura and the state capital, which was broken from then on. Badajoz fell on the 14th. This city saw strong repression by the Nationalists, led by General Yagüe, against Republicans, resulting in between 1,800 and 4,000 deaths, one of the bloodiest events of the Civil War.
Second Stage
The rebels advanced on Trujillo and Navalmoral de la Mata, where they established contact with the rebels through Ávila and Arenas de San Pedro. From this moment in Extremadura, the war fronts began, but most of the region was in the hands of the rebels. Franco temporarily installed his headquarters in Caceres (Palace of the Golfines de Arriba). The occupation of most of Extremadura occurred in about a month.
Extremadura Front 1936-1939
The front in Republican areas stretched from Alia to Villanueva and from Don Benito in the south to Higuera. The front area of the Nationalists was from Guadalupe, Madrigalejo, Medellin, Guareña, Hornachos, and Campillo. For Republicans, the area had great strategic importance because if they could recover Merida and Badajoz, they could again divide the country into two areas. Therefore, the Republican army developed a plan to isolate the rest of Andalusia from the National zone by occupying Extremadura. The dissension within the Republican zone, coupled with the collapse of the government of Largo Caballero, meant this did not take place. The Extremadura front went through a period of relative calm until the summer of 1938. In June, the rebels launched an attack against Extremadura to put an end to Republican resistance in La Serena because it was dangerous to keep the front open to a possible Republican counterattack.
With the fall of Catalonia and the creation of the Defense Council of Colonel Casado, the Republican army left the National fronts while dealing with areas of Extremadura still held by Republicans.