Spanish Civil War: Republican Instability and Franco's Regime Consolidation

Political and Military Dynamics of the Spanish Civil War

On the political front during the war, the Republican side experienced significant instability, cycling through several heads of government:

• Casares Quiroga
• José Giral
• Martínez Barrios
• Largo Caballero
• Juan Negrín

Power was initially shared between various boards, committees, militias, and revolutionary councils, which severely complicated military operations. In Catalonia, a Committee and the Rearguard Anti-Fascist Militia were created, formed by armed militias that organized transport, public order, and supply.

The Republican Socio-Economic Revolution

The socio-economic revolution in the Republican zone was characterized by libertarian communism, focusing on production, distribution, and consumption. This included the collectivization of factories and services, resulting in unions taking control of companies.

Government Reorganization and Internal Conflict

In September 1936, a coalition government headed by Largo Caballero was established to reorganize power. During this period, the Basque Autonomous Statute was adopted. Militarily, the General Staff of the army was reorganized with the unification of the militias and the creation of the Fifth Regiment.

Political differences soon surfaced within the administration between those who supported the simultaneous pursuit of war and revolution, and those who supported focusing solely on winning the war first. This division led to the armed conflict known as the May Days, which resulted in the fall of the Largo Caballero government.

The Negrín Government and the War Economy

Largo Caballero was replaced by the concentration government of Juan Negrín, created in 1937. Negrín had the support of the PSOE and the Communist Party. Indalecio Prieto was also supported by the USSR, but Soviet aid came at the cost of Spain's gold reserves, necessitating a strict war economy.

In regards to the military, the People's Army was created with the aim of securing international support. Indirectly, as a proposal to the rebels, the government introduced in May 1938 the scheme for the Thirteen Points, containing the basis for ending the war and the fundamental principles of the future Republic. However, this program did not have much impact.

The Nationalist Side: Franco's Consolidation

As the rebel bloc advanced, political and military power became concentrated around the figure of General Franco. In October 1936, he was named Head of State and Government, Generalísimo of the three armies, and proclaimed "Leader of Spain by the grace of God."

Establishing the New Regime

Franco united the Falange and the Carlists under army discipline, creating the National Syndicalist Offensive Juntas (FET y de las JONS). In this bloc, there was a rapid militarization of social aspects, and the Defense Council was proclaimed as the state authority. There was a severe crackdown on Republican elements, and the agrarian reform was abolished.

In 1938, Franco completed the process of political and administrative structuring of the new regime with the Law on Administrative Centralization. This law conferred all power to make laws to the Central State. Furthermore, the law:

• Prohibited any union activity and social policy; the strike was considered a crime.
• Created the vertical union (outside of work).
• Repealed the statutes of autonomy of the Basque Country and Catalonia.
• Censored the press, placing it directly under the control of the regime.