Spanish Civil War: Politics, International Impact, and Consequences
Spanish Civil War: Politics and International Dimensions
The Spanish Civil War (SCW) was an internal political conflict resulting from tensions that transformed into foreign intervention and an international conflict.
The International Context
The conflict developed at a critical moment in relations between European democracies and totalitarian regimes, following Nazi and Fascist expansionism, which led to fears of another world war. In this context, the SCW had a great international impact, manifested in the division of public opinion, with different sectors supporting one side or the other. The left and intellectuals were generally favorable to the Republic. The war was perceived as a struggle for freedom and against fascism. The murder of Lorca, the defense of Madrid, and the bombing of Guernica had a major impact. The war was perceived as a struggle between civilization and communism.
Governments’ Attitude to the War
Western democracies were sympathetic to the Republic but feared that the Spanish conflict would endanger world peace. Their policy was one of appeasement. In late August 1936, they signed a non-intervention agreement. This failed because Germany and Italy continued to provide military support to Franco, and the democracies only met the agreement. The Republic had to buy weapons from the underground, black market, and the USSR, a country that also did not fully comply with the agreement.
Military and Diplomatic Aid to Both Sides
The Nationalist side had the decisive support of Germany and Italy. Germany provided military equipment, artillery, and aviation (the Condor Legion) in exchange for minerals and raw materials. Italy contributed soldiers. The military aid received by the insurgents was crucial for their victory. The Republican side could only count on the help of the USSR and, to a lesser extent, Mexico.
Soviet military aid prevented the rapid collapse of the Republic. The Republic received weapons, tanks, and planes in exchange for payments with gold from the Bank of Spain. The International Brigades, trade unionists, and leftist sympathizers came to fight against fascism on the Republican side. These forces were instrumental in the defense of Madrid.
Consequences of the War
Human Consequences
The war caused over 600,000 deaths, a decline in the birth rate and population, and the exile of about 300,000 people, mostly intellectuals. The repression by the victors was ruthless. Military courts imposed numerous death sentences, prison terms, and forced labor. Purges and expulsions were common.
Economic Consequences
The pre-war standard of living did not recover until the 1950s, resulting in an impoverishment of the population. Agricultural production declined, the industrial sector suffered, and the reserves of the Bank of Spain were depleted. The estate was in ruins.
Cultural Consequences
Many intellectuals went into exile because they sympathized with or defended the Republic, such as A. Machado. Some eventually returned, like Alberti, while others died in exile. This led to a very important cultural impoverishment.
Political Consequences
The most lasting consequence was the sharp division between victors and vanquished. Franco always kept alive the memory of the war and of victory over Republicans, whom he considered anti-Spanish. This fractured the moral framework for several generations. The victors identified with the interests of the wealthy classes. For workers, the end of the Republic meant the loss of many social and political rights. Well into the 1950s, Spain was isolated and backward compared with its surroundings.