Understanding the Spanish Civil War: Key Players and Global Influence
The Tumultuous Republic and the Seeds of Conflict
During the final stage of the Republic, Spain was ruled by the Popular Front, a period marked by instability and turmoil. This was caused by internal differences among the leftist parties and the perceived threat to the economic power of the right-wing due to reforms. A faction of the Army, supported by conservatives, began plotting a coup. The assassination of Calvo Sotelo triggered a military rebellion, starting in Morocco on July 17, 1936, and spreading to the rest of the peninsula on July 18. This coup divided Spain into two irreconcilable sides, leading to a fratricidal war.
The Opposing Sides: Republicans vs. Nationalists
On one side was the “antifascist” faction, composed of parties from the Popular Front, who aimed to defend the Republic. As seen in Document 1, La Pasionaria, leader of the PCE, appealed to all anti-fascists to struggle “to defend the Republic, the popular free and democratic achievements of the people.”
On the other side were the Nationalists (referred to as “anti-bolxevique” in Document 2 and the “Red Army” in Document 7), who sought to impose a military dictatorship.
Divisions Within Republican Spain
In Republican Spain, differences between parties and trade unions resurfaced during the war, causing divisions between anarchists, communists, and socialists. The CNT-FAI, an anarchist group (Document 3), advocated for simultaneous war and revolution, believing that victory was impossible without revolution. However, the PCE, the communist party, defended the democratic republic and parliamentary system (Document 4). The UGT and the Socialists also supported revolution, but only after winning the war (Document 5). These differences led to clashes between communists and anarchists. In 1937, Negrín formed a government of concentration, which developed a 13-point program, but it had little effect. Socialists, anarchists, and regionalists increased their criticism against Negrín’s concentration of power and began to favor ending the war.
Franco’s Consolidation of Power
Francisco Franco, who led the uprising, concentrated political and military power in his person. The conservative political organizations of Nationalist Spain, which supported Franco’s uprising, were initially seen as a threat to his accumulation of power. Therefore, he decreed the unification of the Falange and traditionalists (Document 6), forming the Traditionalist Spanish Falange and JONS, which became the sole party, later called the National Movement. He also decreed the dissolution of all other political parties and organizations.
The End of the War and Franco’s Victory
On April 1, 1939, Franco announced the end of the war without restrictions, declaring the victory of his army. He called this year the “year of victory” or “Year Triumphant,” marking the end of the Second Republic.
International Involvement and the Committee of Non-Intervention
The war in Spain had a significant international impact. From the early days of the military insurrection, both the rebels and the legitimate government of Spain requested urgent foreign loans. In August 1936, the Committee on Non-Intervention was created, with 27 countries pledging not to sell or allow the passage of weapons or munitions to Spain. However, this pact was not respected (Document 2 mentions “with the Germans and Italians are, with other French, Belgian and Russian”).
Foreign Support for Both Sides
Germany and Italy provided direct assistance to the rebels, including the German Air Force (Legion Condor), the Volunteer Corps of Italians, and material aid. Portugal also indirectly supported the rebels by allowing the passage of materials through its territory. The United States allowed its businesses to trade with Spain but imposed a ban on trade with the Republicans.
The major direct international support for the Republicans came from the USSR, which sent troops and materiel, as well as food. However, due to the French border blockade, supplies arrived intermittently. Some support was also provided by French and Belgian volunteers, as well as symbolic support from Mexico.