The Spanish Republic: Political Crisis and Civil War (1937-1939)
The May 1937 Crisis and Republican Tensions
In the spring of 1937, a series of military failures revived the confrontation between Republican forces regarding how the revolutionary process should align with the war effort. One sector, formed by republicans, communists, and socialists, favored organizing a powerful army. Another sector, consisting of anarchists and the POUM, was reluctant to integrate their militias into the regular army, insisting that the effort to win the war required deepening and consolidating revolutionary collectivization.
On 3 May 1937, tensions erupted violently in Barcelona when government forces evicted anarchists who had occupied the Telefónica building to monitor communications. The May events highlighted two major problems for the Republicans: tensions between anti-fascist forces and differences between the central Republican administration and regional autonomous governments.
Negrín's Governance (May 1937 – March 1939)
The May events weakened the anarchists and strengthened the position of the communists. President Manuel Azaña ordered the formation of a new socialist-led government under Juan Negrín. Subsequently, the POUM was declared illegal and its members were arrested. Andreu Nin was taken from prison and killed by Soviet agents.
Negrín's government placed a strong emphasis on centralization to achieve the political and military objective of winning the war. The formation of a new Executive Board chaired by Catalan partners did not prevent strained relations with Negrín. In November 1937, the government moved from Valencia to Barcelona.
The Final Stages of the Republic
By 1938, the situation in Republican territory was dire. Seeking international support, the head of government proposed a negotiated solution and published the Thirteen Points Program, which outlined conditions for a ceasefire that were ultimately rejected by Franco. In September 1938, the Republic suffered a major blow following the Munich Agreement.
Negrín, supported by the communists, insisted on military resistance, summarized by the motto: "To resist is to overcome." However, the loss of Catalonia between January and February 1939 forced the governments of the Republic, Catalonia, and the Basque Country into exile. Despite efforts to continue the war, the Republic's days were numbered.