Spanish Civil War: Military Campaigns & Republican Divisions

Military Development of the Conflict

The Spanish Civil War, a brutal conflict, unfolded in three distinct military phases:

Phase 1: July 1936 - Mid-1937

Beginning on July 17, 1936, this phase saw General Franco assume command of the Army of Africa, Spain's best-trained and most prepared military force. These troops crossed the Strait of Gibraltar with German air support to join the insurgents in Andalusia. They advanced towards Madrid but were halted around the capital. This proved a significant setback for the insurgents, who considered Madrid's conquest essential for political, economic, diplomatic, propaganda, and symbolic reasons. During the initial weeks of fighting, it became evident that the rebel army surpassed the Republican Army in organization, discipline, and supplies. On the government side, Generals José Miaja and Vicente Rojo were the most prominent figures. In the rear of both sides, the persecution and execution of those considered enemies proceeded. It is believed that the victims of this cruel repression surpassed 50,000 people in each zone.

Phase 2: Mid-1937 - Summer 1938

From mid-1937 until the summer of 1938, Franco's better-supplied troops gained the upper hand, capturing the entire north of Spain by mid-1937. Simultaneously, air attacks and bombings against civilians began in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. These operations killed approximately 2,000 civilians. In the early weeks of 1938, heavy clashes occurred in the Ebro region. Subsequently, Aragón and Castellón were occupied by Franco's army, splitting the Republican territory in two and isolating Catalonia.

Phase 3: July 1938 - April 1939

The final phase, from July 1938 to April 1939, began with the failure of the Ebro Offensive, leaving the Republic almost defeated. In December 1938, Franco's military units occupied Catalonia, and on March 28, 1939, Madrid fell. The war was over. As recognized by General Vicente Rojo,"Franco prevailed due to our mistakes"

Political Developments in the Republican Zone

The military uprising triggered a deep revolutionary process in the Republican zone. The central government was unable to impose its authority and was displaced by new centers of local or regional revolutionary power. The Republican side lacked political unity, and internal divisions between various political parties and trade union forces eventually accentuated.

• Anarchists believed that winning the war and achieving a complete economic revolution were inseparable processes. This conviction led to the widespread collectivization of land. Many factories became socialized, controlled by union committees.
• In contrast, the Communists and Socialists believed that the immediate development of the revolution hindered effective war action. They preferred to postpone the liquidation of the capitalist system until the enemy was defeated. The PCE (Communist Party of Spain) gradually increased its influence during this period.

The failure of central government power and political fragmentation significantly weakened the Republican side, becoming a primary cause of its final defeat.