Republican Resistance and Governance (1936-1938)

Republican Governance and the Defense of Madrid

On July 19, 1936, Casares Quiroga was replaced by José Giral, who established a popular power structure formed by trade unions and left-wing parties (Partits d'Esquerra). This period involved repression against insurgents, the pursuit of the Church, and the commandeering of private property and goods.

By September 5, 1936, Largo Caballero formed a government in Madrid with socialists and communists. Republicans organized voluntarily to go to the front. During this time, José Primo de Rivera and his allies were executed in prison.

By October 29, 1936, slogans such as "No Pasarán" and "Madrid, the tomb of fascism" appeared. In November 1936, the Republican government moved to Valencia. A defense board in Madrid was headed by General Miaja and Commander Rojo. They received help from the first International Brigades, Russian tanks, and Catalan volunteers.

Internal Crises and the Rise of Juan Negrín

On May 3, 1937, a confrontation erupted between Republican forces regarding the conduct of the war. Anarchists clashed with socialists and communists. Following this crisis, and because the Republican administration did not want Giral to outlaw the POUM, Azaña appointed Juan Negrín as the head of government.

Negrín's goal was to centralize political and military power to win the war, control industrial and agricultural production, and dissolve the Defense Council of Aragon (Consell de Defensa d'Aragó).

In November 1937, the government moved to Barcelona, where the Basque government had also taken refuge, to control economic and military resources. The Republican government assumed control over:

• Public Order
• The Budget
• Administration of Justice
• Regional administration

General Vicente Rojo led an offensive in Teruel, but the forces were eventually held back and lost the position.

The Battle of the Ebro and the 13 Points

By April 1938, the insurgents took Lleida and the Pyrenees hydroelectric plants. At Vinaròs, Republican territory was split into two, isolating most of Catalonia. Reorganizing its units from Catalonia, the Republic attempted to retake territory near the mouth of the River Ebro.

In May 1938, the Program of Thirteen Points was issued, outlining conditions for surrender to stop the armed struggle.

The Role of Catalonia and the Militias

On July 20, 1936, Lluís Companys headed the Antifascist Militias Committee, formed by parties and unions to organize health, transport, media, and research. They resisted the fascist advance until joining the People's Army in May 1937.

In July 1936, 30,000 volunteers attempted to conquer Zaragoza and Huesca. Captain Bayo attempted to recover Mallorca and fought against Franco's aviation (l'aviació). By August 1936, political detainees were being executed.

On September 26, 1936, the Committee of Antifascist Militias was replaced by a unity government chaired by Josep Tarradellas. His administration focused on:

• Replacing committees with new councils.
• Centralizing police services under a board of internal security.
• Reconstructing legal components due to uncontrolled violence.
• Militarization of the militias into the People's Army of Catalonia (l'exèrcit popular).
• Increasing the Generalitat's control over collective resources.

In June 1937, an executive council was established, though tensions remained.