The Spanish Civil War: Key Figures and Historical Terms

The Spanish Civil War (1936–1939)

The Spanish Civil War took place between 1936 and 1939. On July 17, 1936, the conflict began at the headquarters in Melilla. By July 18, the military rebellion—the name chosen by the Spanish Armed Forces after the dissolution of the volunteer militias formed in 1936 to counter the coup—extended across Spain. However, in most cities, the coup failed, and what was intended as a swift takeover became a protracted civil war.

The Republican government received support from the Soviet Union, which mobilized the International Brigades. Mexico also provided assistance, having recently emerged from the Mexican Revolution. Western democracies, including France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, decided to remain neutral. Although France initially attempted to support the Republic, it eventually submitted to British guidelines and suspended aid.

Key Figures of the Second Republic and Civil War

• Niceto Alcalá-Zamora: First president of the Republic.
• Alejandro Lerroux: Spanish politician who briefly occupied the presidency twice.
• Largo Caballero: Minister of Labor during the Second Republic.
• José Antonio Primo de Rivera: Spanish politician and founder of the Falange.
• Lluís Companys: Catalan leader during the Second Republic.
• Buenaventura Durruti: Prominent Spanish anarchist.
• José María Gil-Robles: Spanish politician and lawyer.
• General Mola: Key military leader of the coup.
• Manuel Azaña: President of the Second Republic.
• General Sanjurjo: Spanish military leader.
• Indalecio Prieto: Spanish socialist politician.
• Arias Navarro: Politician best known for his role during the Franco regime.

Historical Terms and Concepts

• Black Market (Mercado Negro): Illegal sale of goods and services.
• Carrero Blanco: Spanish Prime Minister assassinated by ETA.
• Concordat with the Holy See: Agreement between the Church and the State.
• Court of Public Order: Judicial body active at the end of the dictatorship.
• Organic Democracy: A specific type of political and administrative structure.
• Rationing: Government allocation of limited resources and consumer goods during wars and famines.
• Extraperlista: Consumer goods sold illegally.
• Vertical Syndicate: The only legal trade union organization in Spain during the dictatorship.
• Green March: A strategy for Morocco with the intention of occupying Western Sahara.
• Bunker: Iron construction used for protection during war.
• Matesa Scandal: A major political and economic scandal during the latter part of the Franco regime.
• Law of Association: Provided that employers and employees be integrated into a single union under FET y de las JONS control.
• Lausanne Manifesto: A monarchist document written in opposition to the Franco regime.
• Jurados: Corporations formed by delegates of capitalists and workers to address labor disputes.
• CEDA: Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Right-wing Groups.
• Estella Statute: The draft Statute of Autonomy for Alava, Guipuzcoa, Navarra, and Vizcaya developed in the 1930s.
• Nuria Statute: The Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia founded in 1931.