Spanish Civil War: Causes, Stages, and Outcome
The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) was an armed confrontation between the old dominant groups in Restoration Spain, whose instrument was the army, and emerging groups of bourgeois workers who wanted to establish a truly democratic political system and a progressive social order.
The uprising was launched in Melilla on July 17 by some officers who dominated the senior command and then spread throughout the area of the Moroccan protectorate, while General Franco ensured their success in the Canary Islands and flew to Tetuan to take command of the rebels. Though it began as a classical statement, the fact remains that it turned into a contest with the participation of all sectors of the population. In the immediate term, the social reaction led throughout.
Stages of the War
- The Strait and the Battle of Madrid (1936): Just after the uprising began, General Franco managed the aid of Italian and German boats and aircraft so that the Army of Africa could cross the Straits of Gibraltar. The main objective was to enter Madrid. With the approach of the rebels, the Republican government moved to Valencia, and a Board of Defense was constituted in Madrid.
- Foreign Intervention and Nationalist Domination of the North (1937): After the failure of the Madrid attack, Franco changed his strategy. He focused his efforts against the Republican north. Thus, he managed to conquer Vizcaya, Santander, and Asturias.
- The Decisive Battles of 1938: In late 1937, the KPA developed an offensive in lower Aragon. The Republican troops, under the command of General Vicente Rojo, launched an offensive on the Ebro, which lasted three months. It was a struggle to wear down the Republican front, allowing Franco’s army to enter Madrid without firing a shot.
Political Developments and Outcome
The outcome of this contest was directly caused by political developments in the two opposing Spains. In both, there was a first stage, from July 18 until October 1936, characterized by general disorganization and a multiplicity of autonomous powers. While the Nationalist front was centralized and strengthened, the Republican unitary management action continued to struggle with difficulties.
The reaction of the working masses against the military uprising became a true revolution that completely overwhelmed the Republican government of Casares Quiroga.
Negrin’s Thirteen Points and Measures
On May 1, 1938, the government published Negrin’s thirteen-point program, which set the end of the war. Some of the measures are:
- Replacing the popular tribunals made up only of other magistrates.
- Created Military Intelligence Service.
- Abolition of the Council of Aragon.
- Dissolution of the POUM.
Franco’s New Rule
In early 1938, Franco, along with the idea of establishing a State, enacted the law of the state administration. He is both head of state and head of government. Franco appointed his first government, in which there are representatives of political forces that support the uprising: military, Falange, monarchists, and traditionalists. Ramon Serrano Suner, Ministry of Interior, and Francisco Gomez-Jordana in Foreign Affairs are two of the most important figures.
Legislation began to emerge to establish the regime’s ideological control, such as the press law, and measures that suppressed the legislation of the Republic, such as the Statute of Catalonia.
Final Concerns and Franco’s Confidence
The summer of 1938 brought some concerns to Franco’s ranks. The offensive and resistance from Republicans in the Ebro showed that the war was not yet won, and it was feared the outbreak of an international conflict would be prejudicial to Franco’s cause. Moreover, the economic situation had worsened this year. Franco, however, was confident in the international support of Germany in weapons.