Spanish Civil War: Origins, Key Events, and Military Development

Insignificance and Causes of the Spanish Civil War

A mechanistic vision of the conflict sought to put an end to disorder and fear, as the ruling classes were displaced from their hegemonic position by the social revolution of the Popular Front Republic. The Spanish Civil War was a dramatic and bloody confrontation, in addition to a class struggle between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. Some see it as a preface to the Second World War. As described in works by Hemingway, Europe was plunged into the economic crisis of the 1930s and the political crisis of Western democracy.

The Military Coup and the Start of the Civil War

General Mola was the director of the coup, enlisting the Navarrese Carlists. His plan consisted of a statement in all key garrisons, including Madrid and Barcelona. However, he did not succeed due to the influence exerted by the social context and ideology of each region. The initial idea was to defeat the Popular Front and deal definitively with the Republic. When this failed, what started as a military coup turned into a long and bloody civil war.

The uprising began in July 1936 in the Spanish zone of Morocco, under the command of General Franco. On July 18, the uprising spread across the peninsula. He had the support of the right-wing, including Carlist monarchists and traditionalists. In Madrid and Barcelona, the coup failed due to a lack of coordination and support. Armed militants in Madrid defeated General Joaquin Fanjul, and General Goded in Barcelona did not have the support of the Civil Guard.

The Basque Country, despite its conservative ideology, remained faithful to the Republic, as did Santander and Asturias (except Oviedo). In short, the industrial and advanced agricultural Spain stayed Republican, while the rebels succeeded in rural and conservative Spain.

The rebels were mostly conservative military personnel, members of rightist parties, and Catholic groups. They had the support of the Church and the Carlists. Mola wanted to establish a military dictatorship to eliminate the risk of revolution brought by the Popular Front. A group of Royalists and CEDA members wanted an Alfonsine monarchy, the Falange wanted a fascist regime, and the Carlists wanted a traditional monarchy.

Those loyal to the Republic were the popular classes: workers, landless peasants, and the small bourgeoisie, affiliated with socialist, communist, or anarcho-syndicalist organizations. The Civil War was fought between the dominant groups in Spain during the Restoration and groups of workers and the bourgeoisie.

Military Development of the Spanish Civil War

Advance of the Rebels to Madrid: War of Columns (July-November 1936)

The main objective was the capture of Madrid. Small army columns advanced on foot or were transported in trucks. It was made easier for the Republicans by the lack of a proper army, which was replaced by militias, such as the undisciplined and inefficient anarchist leader Durruti's.

The rebel side overcame several difficulties, including a shortage of support for Mola in the north and the fact that most of the army was in Africa. Italian assistance in shares and the support of the German fleet made possible the passage of the Strait of Gibraltar. Legionnaire columns called "Moors," commanded by Colonel Yagüe, marched quickly toward Madrid, taking Badajoz in Extremadura. Moscardó and Miaja allowed the Republicans to reorganize and stop General Varela's columns.