Spanish Civil War: Key Battles and International Impact

The Spanish Civil War

The Siege of Madrid

In the summer and autumn, General Mola attempted to take Madrid from the northeast. However, his forces were detained at the pass by the Republican Army of the Sierra de Guadarrama. There was an attempt to retake the capital in the Battle of Jarama, but after thousands of deaths, the Nationalist Army was defeated in its objectives. In the Battle of Guadalajara, the Nationalist Army was defeated by the Republicans, with thousands of Italian soldiers killed.

The city of Madrid was defended by a defense council led by General Miaja. General Franco, upon receiving permission to take Madrid, diverted his forces to liberate the Alcázar of Toledo. This delayed the advance on Madrid for three years. Finally, Madrid fell on April 1, 1939. During that time, Madrid was controlled by a commission made up of Colonel Casado, who had rebelled against the Republic.

The Campaign of the North

General Mola broke through the Basque front, taking Irún, San Sebastián, and Bilbao in early 1937. General Aranda conquered Santander for the Nationalists, along with all of the mining areas of Asturias. To stop this advance, the Republican side conducted several offensives, including the Battle of Brunete, where the Republicans did not advance significantly. They also took Belchite, which was later reconquered by the Nationalists. In the Battle of Teruel, the Republicans lost.

The Internationalization of the Conflict

From the outset, the Spanish Civil War gained great international political significance. The European situation was already very tense due to the rise of Italian Fascism and German Nazism. The outbreak of war in Spain was seen as a new confrontation between the forces of democracy, partly revolutionary, and fascist dictatorships.

To avoid escalating tensions, an agreement of non-intervention in the Spanish conflict was reached. However, the Italian and German governments supported the rebels from the beginning, sending them aircraft and soldiers in late July. Germany contributed the Condor Legion, artillery, tanks, and a transmission system, while Italy suffered more losses but of less strategic importance. The Republic was left without support.

Consequences of the War

A major crackdown was carried out by both sides. Military personnel, civilians, and clergy were killed by both factions. Many people were exiled, and many others were imprisoned by the Francoist regime. Regarding material goods, all the reserves of the Bank of Spain were spent, per capita income fell and did not recover for 15 years, and the post-war years were marked by rationing and hunger. The most direct consequence was four decades of Franco's dictatorship.