The Spanish Civil War: Causes, Conflict Stages, and the Rise of Franco

The Spanish Civil War: Trauma and the Birth of the Francoist State

The Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) marked the end of the Second Republic and the beginning of the new Francoist state, inflicting profound trauma upon Spanish society.

The Military Uprising of July 1936

The uprising took place during the government of the Popular Front (Frente Popular), shortly after the assassination of conservative leader José Calvo Sotelo. It was not a spontaneous event but a well-organized military coup attempt.

Factors Leading to the Insurrection

The main factors that fueled the rising included:

• Attempting to halt the economic and social reforms initiated by the Popular Front.
• A decision to end the deterioration of public order.
• Defense of traditional Catholic values.
• A unitary conception of the structure of the state (opposing regional autonomy).
• The desire to avoid a perceived proletarian revolution.

Initial Failure and Division

The armed forces were divided before the uprising, with some senior officers supporting the insurgency and others remaining loyal to the government. The uprising failed to be a definitive coup. The division of military forces and the arming of trade unions created a political equilibrium where neither side achieved immediate victory, making a prolonged civil war inevitable. Spain was consequently divided into two distinct areas.

Evolution of the Republican Zone (1936–1939)

The war in the Republican zone is generally divided into three periods:

1936: The Initial Shock

This period saw the advance of the Army of Africa (Ejército de África), which crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and began the occupation of Andalusia. The Nationalists made a special effort in the Battle of Madrid, attempting to capture the capital, but failed in five major attempts.

1937: Northern Campaigns and Territorial Division

The Northern Campaign was crucial, as the region was vital for Spanish industry. It was occupied by the Nationalist forces during 1937. Following the Republican offensive on Teruel, the Nationalist counter-progress divided the remaining Republican territory into two separate parts.

1938–1939: The End of the Conflict

The war concluded with the occupation of Catalonia, followed by the Levant and the Central Zone, leading to the final victory of the Nationalist forces.

Evolution of the Nationalist Zone

Bases of Support

The Nationalist area was founded upon several key institutions and groups:

• The Army: The core institution and backbone of the new political situation.
• The Church: Provided crucial moral support to Nationalist Spain, particularly from 1936–1937, framing the conflict as a Crusade.
• The Falange: The political soul of the new regime, undergoing tremendous growth and incorporating more conservative right-wing elements.
• Capitalism: Both Spanish and foreign financial interests provided essential economic and political support.

Political Evolution and Stages

The political structure evolved rapidly:

1. Establishment of the National Defense Board (Junta de Defensa Nacional).
2. Appointment of Francisco Franco as Head of State (Jefe del Estado) and Generalissimo (Generalísimo).
3. Unification of the Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las Juntas de Ofensiva Nacional Sindicalista (FET de las JONS), creating the single party of the regime.
4. Formation of the first military government (which included civilian elements loyal to Franco).