Spanish Civil War: Key Military Campaigns & Aftermath

Spanish Civil War: Military Operations & Aftermath

Early Military Operations (1936)

The military operations of the war began with the uprising, known as the "war of columns." The rebels failed in their attempt to take Madrid in early November 1936. After crossing the Strait, African troops, Legionnaires, and regulars commanded by Yagüe linked up with the northern revolt, after overcoming resistance in Badajoz. Franco took Toledo in September and ended the siege of its Alcázar. The heroic resistance of Madrid concluded the militia phase of the war, also known as the phase of advancing toward the Mediterranean.

Republican Counter-Offensives & Nationalist Advance (1937-1938)

In 1937, the Republicans were led by Vicente Rojo. They tried to take the initiative, sparking the Battle of Teruel, which led to the Republican occupation of the city. Franco's army unleashed the Aragon campaign, crossing Maestrazgo and reaching the Mediterranean, which divided the Republicans. Franco attacked southward, but the Republicans unleashed a powerful attack on the Ebro, the Battle of the Ebro, which ended with the defeat of the Republic. It began when the Republicans moved south, but Franco sent reinforcements and managed to stop the attack. Afterwards, they counterattacked, forcing the Republicans to retreat. Franco finally decided to conquer Catalonia, and on January 26, 1939, he conquered Barcelona, with Republicans fleeing to France.

The War's Conclusion (1939)

In February 1939, only the central and Mediterranean Republican zones remained. Months later, Manuel Azaña resigned. In March, there were uprisings against the Republican government led by Casado, who took control of Madrid. They tried to negotiate with the Nationalists, but Franco refused and forced them to surrender their weapons. In the following days, the entire Mediterranean area was occupied. On April 1, 1939, Franco signed the final war communiqué in Burgos, officially ending the conflict.

Human Cost of the Conflict

Repression on Both Sides

At the beginning of the conflict, both sides practiced indiscriminate persecution of all opponents. However, the rebel side systematically proceeded with the physical elimination of enemies. In the Republic, there was initially uncontrolled repression by militia and party organizations, until the established power intervened. In any case, the number of victims caused by the victors was much higher. Sometimes people were murdered for their beliefs or status, for example, the poet Federico García Lorca.

Refugees and Exiles

From the early months of the war, many families left areas where the Republic still held power. Given the impossibility of evacuating the entire population, preference was given to children; about 13,000 children were separated from their mothers and sent to other countries. Between January 27 and February 3, 1939, half a million Spaniards crossed into France. In France, they were placed in makeshift camps on the beach. Within a few months, half returned, and many who remained were enlisted in the French army.