Spanish Civil War: Military Uprising and International Involvement
ITEM 11: The Military Uprising and the Internationalization of the Conflict
The Coup and its Origins
The military uprising was prepared following the Popular Front victory. General Mola led the coup, seeking support from organizations opposed to the government: Monarchists, Traditionalists, and Falangists.
On July 18, part of the army revolted for the following reasons:
- They felt that the autonomy of the regions threatened the unity of Spain.
- The continuous strikes and riots reflected the lack of authority of the Republic.
- Republican legislation attacked the essence of Catholic Spain.
The uprising began on July 17 in Ceuta and Melilla. The Army of Africa became the major force of the anti-republican movement. Franco was transferred from the Canary Islands to Morocco to lead the southern army. The next day, the uprising spread to the peninsula, succeeding in Galicia, the northern plateau, Navarre, Aragon, and the Balearic Islands. In Andalusia, the key was Seville, Cadiz, and Algeciras, which allowed the transfer of North African troops to the mainland. The uprising’s partial success divided Spain into two zones, leading to the Civil War.
Division of Spain and Initial Stages
The Republican zone held most of the navy and aviation, and major industrial areas. The rebel zone, calling themselves Nationalists, controlled a significant part of the army and the Army of Africa. The uprising triggered a Republican revolution, disrupting the state structure and disbanding the army. A revolutionary workers’ movement began. Republican Spain lacked a formal army until the spring of 1937.
Internationalization of the Conflict
The Spanish War exacerbated tensions in Europe due to the political and ideological confrontation between:
- Fascist regimes (Germany and Italy)
- The Soviet Union under Stalin
- Great Britain and France, who promoted a non-intervention committee joined by 27 countries.
The committee was largely ineffective. Despite their accession, Germany, Italy, and Portugal continued to aid the Nationalists. The USSR began selling arms to the Republican zone. Hitler ordered immediate and constant help: troops, war supplies, and crucial aviation support. Italian aid was substantial but less militarily significant. Portugal allowed passage of food and military supplies and sent 20,000 volunteers. Western democracies feared intervention would lead to conflict with Hitler. The USSR was the only country that sold weapons and military supplies to the Republic, paid for with Spain’s gold reserves. The Republic also received help from the International Brigades, but this aid was withdrawn in 1938.
Stages of the War
Stage 1: The Battle for Madrid
Franco moved from the Canary Islands to Morocco to take charge of the southern army. General Mola directed the northern army. Sanjurjo, who was to lead the war, died. The Nationalists’ initial objective was to occupy Madrid. The southern army advanced through Extremadura, facing little resistance except in Badajoz. They then moved to liberate Toledo and attempted to join General Mola’s northern army near Madrid. The attack on the capital began in October but stalled by the 23rd when Franco realized a frontal assault was impossible. The Republican victory at Guadalajara highlighted the difficulty of taking Madrid, so Franco temporarily abandoned the plan and turned north.
Stage 2: The Northern Campaign
This campaign proved decisive for the Nationalists. Occupying the north gave them control of major industrial and mining areas, as well as strategically important cities and ports. Although they had already taken Irún and San Sebastián to control the French border, the main northern campaign began with the siege of Bilbao. Despite the Basque’s strong defensive line, known as the Iron Belt, and the difficult terrain, resistance lasted only two months. The bombings of Guernica, Durango, and Bermeo preceded Franco’s entry into Bilbao in June 1937. In early July, Republicans broke through Nationalist lines at Brunete, forcing Franco to divert troops from the northern campaign to Santander and Madrid. He quickly regained his positions and launched an offensive against Santander, which fell in August. Despite strong resistance, difficult terrain, and a Republican offensive in Zaragoza, the Nationalists occupied Gijón and Avilés on October 21, 1937. The northern front collapsed, and Franco controlled the entire Cantabrian Coast.