Spanish Civil War: A Nation Divided (1936-1939)

The Outbreak of Civil War

On July 17, 1936, a civil war erupted in Melilla, Ceuta, and Tetuan, and on July 18th, it spread to mainland Spain. An important sector of the army (Franco, Queipo de Llano, Mola, etc.), along with traditionalists and Falangists, staged a coup. The rebels seized control of governing bodies in some cities and established a board of military officers, intending to restore order and suppress popular unrest. Within two days, the rebels had secured several forts.

On July 19th, José Giral decided to arm militias (volunteer groups) of unions and parties of the Popular Front to stop the coup and defend the Republican government. General Goded led the uprising in Catalonia, but it received little support from the civilian population. Part of the army, the Civil Guard, and Assault Guards remained loyal to the Republic, while leftist parties and trade unions mobilized their members to resist the coup.

After two days of fighting, the rebels in Catalonia surrendered. The coup also failed in Madrid, as well as in the industrial areas of the Basque Country, Asturias, Santander, Valencia, and parts of Extremadura and Andalusia. Spain was divided into two zones, triggering the civil war.

Internationalization of the Conflict

From the outset, the Spanish Civil War had international repercussions. It was seen as a confrontation between democratic forces and fascist regimes, a precursor to the global conflict of World War II. The Nationalist forces, led by Franco, received aid from Germany and Italy, including aviation, artillery, and tanks. They also had the support of volunteers from Portugal. France and Britain adopted a policy of non-intervention, leaving the Republic largely isolated. The Republic's primary support came from the USSR, which provided weapons, advisors, and facilitated the formation of the International Brigades, volunteer fighters from various countries who played a crucial role in defending Madrid.

Social Revolution

In the early days of the war, worker's committees organized the war effort behind the lines. They created and controlled their own armed militias to fight the rebels. In Catalonia, the anti-fascist militia committee, led by the CNT-FAI, grouped various popular forces. These committees collectivized factories, occupied by workers, and confiscated land from landowners to redistribute among peasants. Anti-clericalism surged, with priests persecuted and religious events prohibited. In September 1936, the militia committee was dissolved, and a new government was formed with all the pro-Republic forces. In November, Largo Caballero formed a government in Valencia. The Republican authorities struggled to control the revolutionary process and integrate the militias into a regular People's Army.

Confrontation of 1937

Republican military setbacks led to divisions within the Republican forces. Republicans, communists, and socialists argued for the necessity of halting the revolutionary process. Anarchists and Trotskyists opposed some government measures, leading to armed clashes in Barcelona in May 1937.

The Government of Negrín

Juan Negrín formed a new government with reduced anarchist influence and a stronger communist presence. He focused on the war effort, proclaiming a policy of resistance based on strengthening state institutions and the People's Army.

The Nationalist Zone: Military Dictatorship

The rebels established a military power structure. On October 1, 1936, a meeting proclaimed General Franco as Generalissimo and Head of State, granting him full powers. In April 1937, all Nationalist forces were unified into a single party, the Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las JONS (FET y de las JONS). A year later, the first Francoist government was created in Burgos.

Government of Burgos

The new state was inspired by fascism and advocated a socially conservative model based on the rule of Catholicism. Its main goal was to undo Republican reforms. Labor legislation, social advancements, agrarian reform, religious freedom, and autonomy statutes were abolished. Political parties and trade unions were banned.

Systematic Repression

The Franco regime implemented systematic persecution of Popular Front organizations and their representatives, with the consent of social groups that supported the uprising and the Church. Repression aimed to intimidate the population and prevent any dissent or opposition to the new state.