Spanish Civil War: Nationalist Uprising and Franco's Dictatorship

The Social and Political Evolution of the Spanish Revolt

a) Provisional Organization of the Uprising (July-September 1936)

Between July 17 and 21, garrisons revolted, supported by members of the Guardia Civil and the Falange paramilitary groups. Designated leaders, backed by their forces, detained and sometimes executed loyalist generals and officers. After securing key locations (headquarters, railway stations, government buildings, and the Telefónica building), they proclaimed martial law, vesting power in the military. The death of General Sanjurjo left the insurrection without a clear leader.

The rebels' primary objective was to win the war. Order and discipline were paramount, necessitating a unified command. On July 24, 1936, a meeting in Burgos of insurgent generals and colonels led to the creation of the National Defense Board, headed by General Cabanillas and including Generals Mola, Dávila, and Ponte. During August, more generals, including Franco, joined. The board abolished Republican legislation in their territory. Repressive measures were enacted: martial law was established nationwide, all liberties were suppressed, and all political parties and unions of the Popular Front were outlawed, their assets seized. Only the Falange and Requetés retained some leeway. Censorship was imposed, and Republican political figures were arrested and often executed.

Economically, the Board received substantial capital and material support. A key financial pillar was the Catalan Francesc Cambó, who, while in exile in Switzerland, provided generous funding to the Nationalist side. A decree canceled the land reform, returning expropriated lands to their previous owners. Control of education was returned to the Church.

b) Franco's Unified Command (September-November 1936)

General Emilio Mola, chief of the Northern Army, and Queipo de Llano, dominating the South, along with the former general in Morocco, Franco, were the key figures of the coup. Their initial goal was to capture Madrid, but the capital resisted. A meeting was convened, with Franco and Mola as frontrunners. Circumstances favored Franco: he secured support from Germany (through direct contacts with Hitler) and Italy. After 29 days, Franco was granted command of operations and named Generalissimo of the Army. On October 1, a proclamation announced this agreement, which mysteriously included a clause naming him Head of Government and Head of State. Other generals were surprised but did not object. Franco now controlled all levers of power within the Nationalist side, becoming the caudillo. A Technical Board of the State was created to advise him, replacing the National Defense Board.

c) Towards Unification: Gestation of the Single Party (November 1936-April 1937)

In the Nationalist-controlled area, establishing state order was crucial alongside meeting war needs. The new state's main pillars were the army, the Falange, orthodox monarchists, the Carlists, and the Church. Their support was essential for the Nationalist war effort. Political problems arose in late 1936 due to a lack of political cohesion despite a strong military commander.

Trends in Nationalist Policies:

• The Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las Juntas de Ofensiva Nacional Sindicalista (FE de las JONS) had lost many key leaders, either imprisoned by Republicans or killed in the early days of the war. Among them was the party founder, Primo de Rivera, whose death left the Falange without a clear leader. Franco, along with the monarchists, sought to demobilize the Falangists politically, distrusting their power and hoping for the restoration of the Bourbons.

The Creation of the Single Party:

• Franco began organizing a new political power unit. This was challenging due to the Carlists and Falangists wanting to maintain their autonomy. Franco aimed to end this autonomy. On December 20, 1936, he militarized the militias, subjecting them to military discipline. Hedilla, attempting to maintain Falange independence, clashed with Franco.

The Events of Salamanca:

On April 12, Franco summoned the Carlists, proposing unification and presenting a decree to create a single party. Hedilla received the decree text and Franco's speech draft. On the 19th, Franco announced the unification decree of the Falange and Carlism into a single national movement under his leadership, called FET y de las JONS. Hedilla resisted, was arrested, and prosecuted. The new party, under the caudillo's direct command, established a Political Board and a National Council.

d) Configuration of the New State: The First Government (April 1937-1939)

Franco, having secured victory, established himself as an absolute dictator, creating a fascist-leaning military dictatorship and a totalitarian state with himself as its chieftain. The new government's main task was developing deeply reactionary legislation:

Politically:

• The Law of the Central State Administration concentrated executive, legislative, and judicial power in Franco.
• The Press Law established censorship and state control of the press.
• In February 1939, the Law of Political Responsibilities targeted those who opposed the National Movement.

In Connection with Religion:

• The regime established a religious state, restoring Catholicism as the official religion, providing state subsidies to the Church, abolishing divorce and civil marriage, returning much of education to the clergy, and establishing what became known as National-Catholicism.

In the Social Field:

• The adoption of the Labour Law contained general working principles, ended social liberty, created labor courts to resolve disputes, and allowed only vertical unions.

In Education:

• High school was reformed.

Economically:

• The Nationalists controlled significant agricultural production but needed to conquer industrial zones. The economy was oriented towards the war effort.

Financially:

• Early attempts at autarky were made, in line with the new state's basic principles.