Spanish Civil War (1936-1939): Key Events and Outcomes
Civil War (1936-1939)
Military Operations
The Coup (July 18, 1936)
The coup was planned in spring 1936 by army officers, mainly in Africa. General Mola was the organizer, and Sanjurjo the charismatic leader. The aim was to seize the central government and expel the Popular Front. The plan relied on a faction of the military and support from right-wing parties (mainly CEDA and the Carlists). The coup was planned for a four-day victory.
Areas where the coup triumphed:
- Northwest Aragon, Navarre, Álava,
Mesopotamia and Egypt: Ancient Civilizations
Mesopotamia: Beginnings of Civilization
The invention of writing appeared in Mesopotamia over 5,000 years ago, marking the end of prehistory and the beginning of history. Writing served to store information about trade, population, and more.
Settlements arose near large rivers like the Tigris and Euphrates, fostering fertile lands. The king held supreme power, making laws, leading the army, and performing religious functions. Civil servants assisted the king, and large armies protected the lands.
Mesopotamian
Read MoreInterwar Turmoil: Economic Collapse and Rise of Communist China
When just the IGM, economic hegemony shifted from the UK to the U.S., and NY became the world financial center. The conflict had developed outside North American borders, and therefore no damage on its territory. In 1919, the U.S. had half the world’s gold reserves and were creditors of almost all European countries. The decade of the 1920s was a period of great prosperity in that country. Europe, however, had to cope with the destruction caused by war. After some difficult early years, by 1923
Read MoreCatalan Nationalism in the 19th Century
Catalan Nationalism: 19th Century
Catalan nationalism in the 19th century had two distinct stages. The 1830s saw a cultural revival focused on recovering the Catalan language, banned since the Nueva Planta Decree. Despite restrictions, Catalan persisted in daily use among the largely monolingual population.
From the 1880s, a new political movement emerged, seeking organization based on Catalan identity and language, incorporating diverse ideas. This movement demanded political autonomy for Catalonia
Read MoreReign of Ferdinand VII & Isabella II: Spain’s Transformation
Fernando VII’s Reign (1814-1833)
The reign of Fernando VII began after the War of Independence and is divided into three stages: the absolutist six years (1814-1820), the constitutional triennium (1820-1823), and the ominous decade (1823-1833). Attempts to preserve the old regime led to economic chaos. Liberal conspiracies arose, influenced by the French Revolution. Ferdinand VII reluctantly implemented timid reforms, but radical absolutists supported his brother, Don Carlos, for the throne. The
Read MorePrimo de Rivera’s Coup and Women’s Status in Early 20th Century Spain
DL Text Analysis: Excerpt from Primo de Rivera’s Manifesto
This text is an excerpt from the manifesto General Miguel Primo de Rivera launched to the nation after the uprising, while he was Captain General of Barcelona. The document outlines three key ideas:
- The coup ended the long crisis of the Restoration and Canova’s inability to tackle problems from the 1898 crisis.
- Establishment of a military board to perform government functions, under the author’s leadership.
- Gain the largest possible number of