The Spanish Civil War: A Comprehensive Overview
1. The Outbreak of the War
In July 1936, a military uprising against the democratically elected Republican government of Spain sparked the Spanish Civil War. The rebels, led by General Francisco Franco, sought to overthrow the government and establish a fascist dictatorship.
2. The Power in the Rebel Zone
In the rebel-controlled areas, political opponents were ruthlessly suppressed. Soldiers and civilians suspected of supporting the Republic were executed without trial. The military response to the insurrection divided Spain into two zones, each with radically different ideologies.
3. The Military Phase of the War
3.1. Phase 1: The First Months of War (July-December 1936)
The war began with the rebels advancing rapidly. Franco’s forces captured key cities, including Cordoba, Granada, and Badajoz. However, their attempt to take Madrid was unsuccessful, thanks to the fierce resistance of the Republican forces.
3.2. Phase 2: From the Battle of Jarama to the Battle of the Ebro (January 1937-November 1938)
Franco shifted his focus to conquering Malaga and securing the northern borders. However, he faced strong resistance from Republican forces, particularly in Bilbao and Asturias. In December 1937, the Republicans launched an offensive against Teruel, but Franco’s troops regained control of the city after a bloody battle.
3.3. Phase 3: Final Phase: The Occupation of Catalonia to the Final Surrender (December 1938 to 1 April 1939)
In December 1938, Franco launched a final offensive against Catalonia. By January, most of the Catalan territory had fallen. The Republican government fled to France, and on March 28, Franco’s troops occupied Madrid. The war ended on 1 April 1939, with the surrender of the last Republican stronghold, Alicante.
4. The Rear
4.1. The Rear on the Republican Side
From 20 July 1936. reoublicana throughout the area were given three concurrent phenomena: the emergence of a new power, the creation of militias pupulars ls and collectivization of the economy.
The President of the Generalitat Lluís Companys, without real power, NLC has proposed to form a new organism that can all antifascist forces. On 21 July 1936 formed the Central Committee of Antifascist Militias of Catalonia, consisting of all left-wing Catalan organizations. The first triumph over the Republicans caused the creation on 26 September 1936, a unity government headed by Joseph Tarradellas, as First Minister. The Central Committee of Antifascist Militias was autodissoldre and 1 ctubre institutions and recognized as the only legitimate Republican. This revolution had begun the same month of July following the spontaneous collectivization of the economy. The workers found that most owners had fled, and the working class took care of business.
The collectivisation movement went umpulsant the unions, especially for the CNT and got all the industrial and the trades traditionally individual, such as taxi drivers or barbers. Unlike the nationalization, collectivization is characterized by self-employees. The expansion of this process led to the creation of the Business Council of Catalonia, made up of political forces bullfighting in Catalonia. This organization was drafted on October 24, Decree of collectivization and workers’ control of industries and businesses.
Economic changes were accompanied by other measures such as the Revolutionary municipalization of houses for rent, renewal of truce in teaching the newly created Council of the Unified New School (CENU), legislation that gave the most age 18 years and the legalization of abortion during the first three months of pregnancy.