Spanish Civil War: Extremadura Uprising and Occupation 1936
Civil War in Extremadura: Uprising and Occupation
Extremadura's military uprising had mixed support in the two provinces. Opposition to the uprising was led by elements of the Popular Front, workers, and campesinos. On 17 July, supporters of the Popular Front requested arms from Civil Governor Antonio Canales, who refused the conspirators. Deaths rose to 19.
The movement began in the garrison of the capital only; a regiment in Algiers, in connection with the Guardia Civil and the Falange, also joined, and by the end of the day the city was under the control of the sublevados (rebels). Subsequently, occupation of the province began, with little organized opposition.
Badajoz and Villanueva de la Serena
In Badajoz, the uprising became important mainly in the area of Villanueva de la Serena, which was held by rebels while the rest of the province remained under Republican command. The takeover of the province took place in two consecutive stages.
Phase 1: Guadiana Valley Occupation
The occupation of the Guadiana Valley by national forces began in August 1936 with the Legion and troops sent by Franco. Subsequently they took Llerena, Monesterio, Zafra, Jerez, Mérida, Badajoz, and Almendralejo. Badajoz fell into rebel hands on the 14th, an episode that became one of the bloodiest instances of repression during the war.
Phase 2: Tajo Valley Advance
In the second phase, occupation forces advanced through the Tajo Valley to Trujillo and Navalmoral, where they established contact with rebels via Ávila and Arenas de San Pedro. Within about a month, most of Extremadura was in the hands of the rebels, and Franco temporarily installed his headquarters in Cáceres.
Fronts and Republican Strategy
From mid-1936 the war fronts in Extremadura experienced little change until the end of the conflict. The Republicans recognized the strategic importance of the area, since control of Extremadura could separate the national zone on both sides of the initial fronts. During Largo Caballero's government a plan was developed to isolate Andalucía through the occupation of Extremadura, but this plan was opposed by General Miaja.
Dissensions within the Republican leadership and the fall of Largo Caballero relegated the recovery plan to oblivion. At the end of the war, with the fall of Catalonia, the Republican army abandoned the national fronts and the rebels occupied all remaining areas.
Key Places and Actors
- Provinces: Badajoz, Cáceres
- Valleys: Guadiana Valley, Tajo Valley
- Political forces: Popular Front, Falange, Guardia Civil
- Military leaders: Antonio Canales, Largo Caballero, General Miaja, Franco
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