Brief History of the Spanish Civil War (1936-39)

The Spanish Civil War stands as one of the most pivotal and complex conflicts of the 20th century. This brutal struggle between the Republicans and the Nationalists not only reshaped Spain’s political landscape but also served as a harbinger of the larger ideological battles that would soon engulf Europe in World War II. The war’s impact extended far beyond Spain’s borders, influencing international politics, art, literature and the collective consciousness of an entire generation. This article investigates the intricate web of factors that led to the war, its tumultuous course and its enduring legacy on Spain and the world.

Brief History of the Spanish Civil War

The Road to Conflict: Spain’s Troubled Early 20th Century

The Decline of the Monarchy and the Birth of the Second Republic

The roots of the Spanish Civil War can be traced to the early decades of the 20th century, a period marked by political instability, social unrest and economic stagnation. The reign of King Alfonso XIII, which began in 1902, was beset by a series of crises that exposed the deep-seated problems within Spanish society. The loss of Spain’s last colonies in the Spanish-American War of 1898 had dealt a severe blow to national pride, while economic disparities and labour unrest further undermined the monarchy’s legitimacy.

Spain’s neutrality during World War I brought a brief period of economic prosperity, as the country supplied goods to both sides of the conflict. However, this boom was short-lived and ultimately exacerbated social inequalities. The working class, emboldened by the Russian Revolution of 1917, began to demand more rights and better working conditions. Meanwhile, the brief dictatorship of Miguel Primo de Rivera (1923-1930), initially supported by Alfonso XIII, failed to address the country’s underlying issues and ultimately collapsed, taking the monarchy with it.

The proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic on 14 April 1931, following municipal elections that saw Republican candidates win in major cities, ushered in a period of radical political and social reform. The new republican government, led initially by a coalition of liberals and socialists, embarked on an ambitious programme of modernisation. This included land reform to address the stark inequalities in rural areas, where a small number of wealthy landowners controlled vast estates while millions of peasants lived in poverty. The government also pursued the secularisation of education and reduction of the Catholic Church’s influence, including the separation of church and state and the legalisation of divorce.

Military reforms aimed to reduce the army’s political power and streamline its top-heavy officer corps, while labour reforms introduced the eight-hour workday and the right to strike. The Republic also granted autonomy to regions such as Catalonia and the Basque Country, addressing long-standing demands for regional self-governance. In a groundbreaking move, women’s suffrage was granted in 1931, making Spain one of the first countries in Europe to do so.

Political Polarisation and Social Tensions

While these reforms were progressive, they also alienated powerful conservative elements within Spanish society, including the landowning elite, the Catholic Church and segments of the military. The pace and scope of change alarmed many conservatives, who saw the Republic as a threat to traditional Spanish values and institutions. This led to a period of increasing political polarisation and social tension.

The period from 1933 to 1936, known as the Bienio Negro (Two Black Years), saw a conservative government roll back many of the Republic’s reforms. This rightward shift was partly a reaction to events such as the Casas Viejas incident in 1933, where government forces brutally suppressed an anarchist uprising, damaging the reputation of the left. The conservative government’s policies, including the suspension of the agrarian reform and the restoration of some privileges to the Catholic Church, prompted increased militancy among left-wing groups.

This culminated in the Asturian miners’ strike of October 1934, a full-scale insurrection that was brutally suppressed by the army under the command of General Francisco Franco. The harsh repression of the Asturian uprising deepened the divisions within Spanish society and radicalised many on the left.

In response to the growing threat from the right, left-wing and centrist parties formed the Popular Front coalition, which narrowly won the 1936 elections. The Popular Front’s programme included amnesty for political prisoners, reinstatement of dismissed workers, continuation of agrarian reform and autonomy for Catalonia and the Basque Country. The victory of the Popular Front heightened fears among conservatives of a socialist revolution, while the left saw it as an opportunity to accelerate reforms.

The months following the election saw an escalation of political violence, with clashes between left-wing and right-wing militias becoming increasingly common. The assassination of José Calvo Sotelo, a prominent right-wing politician, by Republican security forces on 13 July 1936, in retaliation for the murder of a socialist police officer, served as the catalyst for the military uprising that would plunge Spain into civil war.

The Outbreak of War: July 1936

On 17 July 1936, the Spanish Army in Morocco, led by General Francisco Franco, rose against the Republican government. The uprising quickly spread to the mainland, with garrisons joining the revolt in several cities. However, the rebels, who came to be known as the Nationalists, failed to secure control of major urban centres such as Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.

The government’s initial response was confused and ineffective, with Prime Minister Santiago Casares Quiroga refusing to distribute arms to workers’ organisations. This decision was quickly reversed by his successor, José Giral, but the delay allowed the rebels to consolidate their positions in areas where they had gained control.

The partial success of the coup effectively split Spain in two. The Nationalists controlled much of northern and central Spain, including Galicia, Old Castile and parts of Aragón, as well as parts of the south, notably Seville and Córdoba. The Republicans held the eastern coast, including Catalonia and Valencia, central Spain around Madrid and most of Asturias and the Basque Country in the north.

This division set the stage for a protracted and bloody conflict that would last nearly three years. The war would be characterised by a complex interplay of military, political and social factors, with both sides struggling to overcome internal divisions while seeking international support.

The Course of the War: 1936-1939

International Involvement and the Policy of Non-Intervention

While the official policy of most European powers was non-intervention, both sides received significant foreign support. Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy provided crucial military aid to the Nationalists, including the airlift of Franco’s Army of Africa to the mainland, a crucial early intervention that allowed the Nationalists to bring their best troops into the fight. The Condor Legion, a unit of the German Luftwaffe, provided air support and developed tactics later used in World War II. Italian ground forces, numbering up to 75,000 men at their peak, along with tanks, aircraft and other military equipment, proved instrumental in many Nationalist victories.

The Soviet Union became the primary supporter of the Republican government, providing military advisors, technicians and modern weapons, including tanks and aircraft. The International Brigades, composed of volunteers from around the world who came to fight for the Republic, also played a significant role in the conflict. However, this support was not without strings, as it increased communist influence within the Republican government and contributed to internal divisions among the Republic’s supporters.

The Non-Intervention Committee, established in September 1936 and including 27 nations, was ostensibly created to prevent the conflict from spreading. In reality, it largely served to prevent the legal Republican government from acquiring arms while doing little to stop German and Italian support for the Nationalists. This policy effectively handicapped the Republic’s war effort and has been widely criticised by historians.

Key Battles and Campaigns

The Siege of Madrid, which lasted from November 1936 to March 1939, became a symbol of Republican resistance. The Nationalist assault on the capital was repulsed by Republican forces, bolstered by the International Brigades and Soviet tanks. The city’s resistance boosted Republican morale and forced the Nationalists to abandon their hopes of a quick victory. Key engagements around Madrid included the Battle of the Corunna Road, where Republican forces halted a Nationalist attempt to encircle the city and the Battle of Jarama, a bloody engagement that saw the International Brigades play a crucial role in stopping another Nationalist offensive.

History of the Spanish Civil War: Siege of Madrid

The Northern Campaign of 1937 saw the Nationalists focus on conquering the Republican-held north. This campaign resulted in the fall of Bilbao in June, despite the Basque defensive “Iron Ring”, the capture of Santander in August and the conquest of Asturias by October. The northern campaign secured important industrial resources for the Nationalists and allowed them to concentrate their forces elsewhere. It also saw the infamous bombing of Guernica by the German Condor Legion, an event that shocked the world and was immortalised by Pablo Picasso’s painting of the same name.

The Battle of Teruel in the winter of 1937-1938 resulted in heavy casualties on both sides and ultimately a Nationalist victory. The Republicans initially captured the city in a surprise offensive but were driven out after Franco brought up reinforcements. The battle demonstrated the increasing military superiority of Franco’s forces and highlighted the Republicans’ strategic weaknesses.

Following their victory at Teruel, the Nationalists launched a major offensive in Aragón, breaking through Republican lines and driving to the Mediterranean. This offensive split the Republican zone in two and marked a turning point in the war. The last major Republican offensive of the war, the Battle of the Ebro, was a desperate attempt to reunite the two halves of the Republican zone and relieve pressure on Valencia. Despite initial success, the Republicans were ultimately forced back across the Ebro River after months of gruelling combat. The battle effectively exhausted the Republic’s military capabilities and sealed its fate.

The Fall of the Republic

By early 1939, the Republican cause was in disarray. Internal divisions, shortages of supplies and the withdrawal of the International Brigades had severely weakened their position. The Nationalist offensive against Catalonia, launched in December 1938, made rapid progress. Barcelona fell to the Nationalists on 26 January 1939 and Republican forces retreated towards the French border, with hundreds of thousands of civilians fleeing alongside them.

In the centre, a military coup in Madrid led by Colonel Segismundo Casado against the government of Juan Negrín further undermined the Republic’s ability to resist. Madrid fell to the Nationalists on 28 March 1939. On 1 April 1939, Franco declared victory, marking the end of the Spanish Civil War. The conflict had lasted 986 days and had transformed Spain’s political, social and economic landscape.

The Human Cost and Social Impact

The Spanish Civil War exacted a terrible human toll. Estimates of the number of deaths vary widely, but most historians agree that between 500,000 and 1 million people lost their lives. This included combat deaths on both sides, civilians killed in bombings and artillery attacks, victims of political repression and executions in both zones and deaths from disease and malnutrition, exacerbated by the conflict.

The war also led to a significant refugee crisis. Hundreds of thousands of Spaniards fled the country, with many finding refuge in France or Latin America. This exodus included a large number of intellectuals, artists and professionals, representing a significant brain drain for Spain. Notable figures who went into exile included poets Antonio Machado and Juan Ramón Jiménez, filmmaker Luis Buñuel and scientist Severo Ochoa.

The civil war left deep scars on Spanish society that would take decades to heal. Families were torn apart by political divisions and communities were fractured along ideological lines. The conflict also had a profound impact on Spanish culture, inspiring works of art, literature and film that continue to shape perceptions of the war to this day.

The war saw the emergence of a rich body of war literature, including works by Ernest Hemingway, George Orwell and André Malraux. It also led to the development of new forms of photojournalism, exemplified by the work of Robert Capa. The creation of iconic artworks such as Picasso’s Guernica and the influence on Spanish cinema, with directors like Carlos Saura and Víctor Erice exploring the war’s legacy in their films, further cemented the conflict’s place in cultural memory.

The war also had a lasting impact on Spain’s demographic and economic development, with the loss of so many young men and the destruction of infrastructure setting back the country’s modernisation for years.

The Franco Dictatorship and Its Legacy

Following his victory, Franco established an authoritarian regime that would rule Spain for nearly four decades. The early years of the dictatorship were marked by severe repression of political opponents, with thousands imprisoned or executed. Franco’s regime was characterised by centralisation of power and suppression of regional autonomy, reversing the gains made by Catalonia and the Basque Country under the Republic. The regime maintained a close alignment with the Catholic Church, which was given a privileged position in education and social life.

The immediate post-war years saw a policy of economic autarky (self-sufficiency), leading to economic stagnation and hardship. However, from the 1950s onwards, there was a gradual economic liberalisation and modernisation, culminating in the “Spanish Miracle” of the 1960s. Throughout Franco’s rule, political parties and trade unions were suppressed, with the Falange becoming the only legal political organisation. The regime also imposed strict censorship of the media and cultural expressions.

Franco’s death in 1975 paved the way for Spain’s transition to democracy. Under the leadership of King Juan Carlos I and Prime Minister Adolfo Suárez, Spain embarked on a process of political reform that culminated in the 1978 Constitution and the country’s first free elections in over 40 years. The transition was remarkable for its peaceful nature, often referred to as the “Pacted Transition” due to the willingness of both Francoist elites and opposition leaders to compromise in the interest of national reconciliation.

The Enduring Impact of the Spanish Civil War

The Spanish Civil War remains a defining moment in Spanish history, its legacy still felt in contemporary Spanish politics and society. The conflict’s international dimensions, with its struggle between fascism and democracy, make it a crucial chapter in 20th-century European history. As Spain continues to grapple with questions of historical memory and reconciliation, the Spanish Civil War serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of political polarisation and the devastating human cost of ideological conflict.

The war’s legacy continues to shape Spanish politics and society in various ways. The ongoing debate over historical memory, including efforts to locate and exhume mass graves from the war and post-war repression, remains a contentious issue. The continued relevance of regional nationalisms, particularly in Catalonia and the Basque Country, can be traced back to the suppression of regional identities under Franco’s regime. Spain’s strong commitment to European integration in the post-Franco era can be seen as a reaction to the isolationism of the dictatorship years.

As we reflect on the history of the Spanish Civil War, it becomes clear that its significance extends far beyond the borders of Spain. The conflict serves as a powerful reminder of the fragility of democracy and the dangers of extremism. It underscores the importance of political compromise and the need for societies to address underlying social and economic inequalities to prevent the kind of polarisation that can lead to civil conflict.

The Spanish Civil War continues to fascinate historians, political scientists and the general public alike. Its complex interplay of ideologies, its international dimensions and its profound impact on Spanish society make it a subject of enduring interest and relevance. As Spain and the world continue to face challenges to democracy and social cohesion, the lessons of the Spanish Civil War remain as pertinent as ever, offering valuable insights into the nature of political conflict and the path to reconciliation.

6 thoughts on “Brief History of the Spanish Civil War (1936-39)”

  1. This article is not correct.
    Franco was a strong authoritarian ruler, but he brought prosperity to Spain. The economy in Spain flourished under his leadership and the unemployment was one of the lowest in Europe during his time in power – Spain became an industrialized nation under Franco’s dictatorship.
    It was, partly, because of their good economical showing that Spain was in position to peacefully transition to a democratic state after Franco died.
    Franco’s biggest problem was not being able to unify Spain – he tried that by using force; hence the constant problems in Catalonia and the Basque regions.
    Please research Spain’s history further and fix the problems with the essay.

    Reply
    • The article is correct.

      And, based upon your defense of the Franco Dictatorship,
      I guess it’s ok with you that after the war
      the Franco government executed 100,000 Republican prisoners,
      not including another 35,000 Republicans who
      died in concentration camps, after the war.

      Since you seem to be an apologist for Franco and an admirer of him,
      Do you admire Hitler as well ?

      Reply
  2. The essay is quite accurate. Spain was isolated from the rest of Europe and lagged behind the rest of the world under Franco’s rule. Sure, its economy improved but basically every Western country’s economy improved after WWII. After Franco’s death, Juan Carlos was the one who modernized Spain and brought it up to speed with the rest of the world.

    Reply
    • The essay is not correct.
      If you get properly informed about the employment and GDP growth rates during Franco ruling you will see that, despite the isolation that Spain suffered during some time -not all Franco’s rule received isolation-, its economy and industrial sector grew at considerable levels, probably as good as many other European countries after WWII.

      It is true that under Franco dictatorship there was censorship and there was no democracy, but the alternative in the war would have been a communist/anarchist lead country far worst in every field than Franco dictatorship. Most foreigners tend to wrongly think that the alternative to dictatorship was democracy and freedom, but that is absolutely wrong. The International Brigades that came to fight in Spain on behalf of the republican side, were not probably well informed that they were supporting the communist. The USSR and their expansionist communism system wanted to have in Spain a satellite as a kind of a prelude of the iron curtain that delivers throughout eastern Europe some few years afterwards. The badly known “Republicans” should be called “The Communist” as it describe better what they pretended to do and impose in Spain.

      Spanish development started with Franco dictatorship. Most of the largest infrastructures including roads, water reservoirs, hydroelectric dam, and advanced, fair and efficient administrative laws were built and brought to operation bringing quality and justice to the public service.

      I do not want to undervalue any importance to the Spanish democracy and the members who made it happened since Franco dead in 1975 until the Constitution was enacted in 1978, but I dare to say that thanks to Franco era, the considerable wealth generated during his ruling, a new middle class was created that allowed the transition from dictatorship to democracy without starting a new war or avoiding any bloodshed. This is clearly the great success of Franco, together with avoiding the Spaniards to be ruled by the USSR Stalin style communist government, and once the war was won, avoiding to enter into WWII, as well as modernising and constructing the foundations of the new Spain.

      Don’t you think this is a cumulus of great successive success as outcome of Franco’s dictatorship government that Spain went through during almost 40y?

      Reply
  3. Fascinating debate. I suspect the truth lies somewhere in the middle. It’s much easier to get things done as a dictator but as we know, power corrupts. by the way, did they get their gold back from the Russians?

    Reply

Leave a Comment