http://www.city.londonmet.ac.uk/langstud/med/med/spain.htm

Relatively unknown war,curtain-raiser, overshadowed by WW2

Only European civil war between Russian and Yugoslavian wars As savage as any

Inspiration for a generation International Brigades

Politicised artists and intellectualsN

Books, Art Poetry Film

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Spanish History from 1898-19311873-4 – 1st Republic 1875-1923 – Constitutional Monarchy of

Alfonso XII and XIII 1898 – Spain loses war and last colonies to

USA. Sense of disillusionment and need for national regeneration

1917-23 – growing political and social unrest through Spain

1921 – military defeat in Morocco 3

Spanish History from 1898-19311923 – Coup [Pronunciamento] by Primo de Rivera

(with royal assent), ‘temporary dictatorship’ 1923-30

1930 – fall of Primo, pressing need for return to representative government

1930 – Pact of San Sebastian, alliance of republican and socialist parties

1930 – December, failed republican military revolt

1931 – April, municipal elections, flight of Alfonso, proclamation of Republic

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The dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, 1923-30

Achievements Public works and modernisation Conciliated socialists Won Moroccan War Some prosperity

Problems Censorship and Repression Economic effects of Depression Opposition from interest groups Growth of Republicanism

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Spanish SocietySpain still predominantly a backward, agrarian

society, riddled with injustice Ruling classes – rural and urban aristocracy,

landowners + industrialists Relatively small professional middle-class, little

economic power Petit-bourgeoisie, artisans, shopkeepers Industrial workers, only certain areas Tenant-farmers, controlled by landlords Landless agricultural labourers

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The Second Republic2nd Republic brought an air of hope, a new

beginning and more open , honest government

Many Spaniards would have subscribed to programme of reform: new constitution, Church + education, conditions of rural and industrial workers, general injustice

But characterised by ever increasing political + social polarisation

What went wrong? 7

The 2nd Republic – forces and influences on the Right – Tradition + vested interest

The Monarchy Landlords + and landowners Industrial wealth The Catholic Church - education The Armed Forces – order+ centralisation Carlism - 19thC reactionary movement Fascism - 20thC movement incorporating

violence + social rhetoric 8

Parties of the RightCEDA - Confederation of right-wing Catholic

groups, some govt posts 1933-5 JONS - fascist group, fused with other

fascist party, Falange in 1934 FET - single party created by Franco in

1937

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The 2nd Republic - forces and influences on the Left - social justice + progress

The Republic Land reform, tenant farmers + workers Industrial workers + unions Anti-clericalism – freedom of thought Regional autonomy, Catalonia + Basque Civil rights + womens’ rights, freedom of the

press The Left were a strong force in opposition

but too fragmented in victory 10

Organisations of the LeftUGT - (1882) socialist trade-unionCNT - (1910) Trade Union with anarchist

affiliations FNTT -agricultural worker’s union Communist Party (PCE) - very small before

1936, changed from being revolutionary to supporters of democracy

POUM - anti-Stalinist communist party in Catalonia

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The 2nd Republic 1931-361931-June, General Election for Cortes,

overwhelming victory for Republicans and parties of the Left

Parties of the Right in disarray, legacy of old regime

1931-3, Series of left-wing coalition governments attempted reforms

1933-5, right-wing in power, reversing reforms and protecting ruling classes

1936, return of leftist alliancemilitary coup and 3 year civil war

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Features of the 2nd RepublicDivisions between parties within left + right European background, rise of fascism and

communism provided an atmosphere and rhetoric of fear + violence

New parties on right, CEDA and Falange Escalating cycle of polarisation as both

sides pursued all out victory rather than compromise

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1st Phase, 1931-3 - the Left RepublicNot a liberal revolution in 19thC fashion Needed Socialist involvement Attempted land reforms, resisted Strong anti-clerical measures – alienated many

possible supporters Army reformsSuppression of union and anarchist troubles to

defend law + order Impatience of far left with slow results New extreme right parties – JONS, CEDA,

Falange 14

2nd Phase,1933-5 - The Right Republic‘bienio negro’

Systematic reversal of reforms Ambiguous attitude of supporters to the

Republic Gil Robles, CEDA leader - Minister of War Rising wave of workers’ protests + strikes –

brutal suppression (e.g. Franco in Asturias)

Popular Front – parties of left unite for election

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3rd Phase Feb-July 36 - Build up to war

Feb - first evenly contested election, victory for Popular Front (narrow in votes)

Azaña President, but Socialists under Largo Caballero (‘Spanish Lenin’) stay out of govt

Growing violence/unrest - workers want reforms, extreme right destabilising govt Land occupations, strikes and church burnings

Break down of law + order, political assassinations, Right plots military coup

July 13 Calvo Sotelo killed – 17/18 coup begins

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Civil War - the early days, July-September

July 17 - First rebel moves in Morocco (Franco) + Canary Islands

Pattern repeated by army garrisons across Spain, mixed success

July 22, rebels expected to be in charge Spain divided into 2 quite even camps Stalemate - negotiated peace or military

victory 17

Why did the rebellion fail?Indecision + lack of co-ordination Military and police stayed loyal to Republic

in many areas Spontaneous resistance by ordinary

Spanish (mostly workers)

Barcelona + Madrid, workers were armed and formed militia

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The Balance of Power - the RepublicBig share of Navy + Air Force, half Army &

Civil/ Assault GuardsMain industrial areas Gold + silver reserves + export crops Legal status as legitimate government to buy

arms and call for aid from sympathetic powers Republic support embraced a very wide

political spectrum who found it difficult to co-exist and who were often keen to pursue own goals

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The Balance of Power - the rebelsBacking of private wealth + traditional

institutions like the Church Army of Africa under Franco, crack troops Active early support from Italy and

Germany (set up through Franco) Food producing areasSupport from Portugal

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Developments in the RepublicWorker resistance led to real social

revolution in some areas Loss of government authority in many areas

- some atrocities against right Socialist govt led by Largo CaballeroSocialists become more left-wing,

involvement of Anarchists – divisions within government

Call for help to Soviet Union, Comintern organises International Brigades

Heroic defence of Madrid, "no paseran" 21

Developments in rebel-held SpainItalian + German aid Franco’s army into Spain,

steady advance into Republican territory Rise of General Franco to political and military

supremacy - meteoric, based on military skills + lack of rivals

28 Sept - Franco accepts positions of Generalissimo + Head of New State

Imposes control + unity in Nationalist Spain Systematic massacres of Republican

supporters 22

Attitudes of Foreign PowersNon-intervention agreed (July-August 1936)Franco was receiving open aid from Italy +

Germany Republic should have expected some

support from other democracies France + Britain - Why did this not happen?

Only Russia offers any support Need to look at European situation,

democracy in crisis, economic problems - rise of extreme political movements

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Attitudes of Foreign Powers - France

France - own Popular Front govt (Blum) and left-right tensions like Spain

Early sympathy, then threats from right “better Hitler than Blum”

Cabinet splits put own reforms in doubt Pressure from Britain Not swayed by real threat of being

surrounded by fascist powers 24

Attitudes of Foreign Powers - Britain

Conservative govt, Baldwin: policy of appeasement to avoid another war

Fear of upsetting Hitler while also trying to woo Mussolini away from Hitler

Fear of war spreading into rest of Europe Sympathy for Nationalist cause and

expectation of victory Pre-occupation with abdication crisis of

Edward VIII + Mrs Simpson ! 25

Attitudes of Foreign Powers - RussiaRise of Fascism first viewed as death-throes

of capitalism + fore-runner of communist revolution

But Hitler seen as threat to Russia – need to resist fascism, so revised foreign policy

So co-operation with democracies + Popular Front movements supported

Support for Spanish Republic through CP but with strings attached

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Russian Influence on the RepublicUSSR wanted bolstering of its ally France

more than promotion of Communist revolution in Spain – feared Nationalist Spain would weaken alliance.

The Republic’s dilemma… For many on the left, the social revolution was the

real reason to fight Franco and the only motivation for the peasants + workers to fight

For the moderates success could only be achieved by restoring government authority and proper military discipline 27

Russia and the Republic - positiveRussia supplied much equipment and also

advisers but not manpower International BrigadesThe Popular Army replaced the militias,

more conventional/disciplined Attracted more middle classes to

Republican cause Delayed defeat of Republic

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Russia and the Republic - negativeRussia’s main aims -

Aid through CP to increase its power Bolster the democratic republic Stifle any social revolution - not in plan CP secret police + suppression of other left

parties killed the Republic’s spirit (Barcelona Days ) - civil war within the Civil War

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Russia and the Republic - negativeDelay Nationalist victory until outbreak of

European war Part of overall strategy to protect Russia

against Hitler After Munich agreement, Stalin gave up hope

of war in Europe and abandoned the Republic Russian policy cynical + opportunistic, never

to win the war, but to delay victory of Nationalists

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Main Events of the War - 1936

July - rebel military rising, German and Italian aid

Steady Nationalist advance:Irun, Toledo, San Sebastian

Oct - Franco head of Nationalist state

Nov - Republic holds Madrid,Russian aid + International Brigades, Republican government moves to Valencia

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Main Events of the War-1937Feb-March - Fall of Malaga, Battles of

Jarama + Guadalajara April - Franco unifies Falange + Carlists in

FET, Germans bomb Guernica May – ‘Civil war within the Civil War’, CP

takes control, Barcelona Negrin replaces Largo Caballero as Rep PM,

Oct govt moves to Barcelona Fall of Basques and North coast Dec - Rep offensive at Teruel

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Main Events of the War, 1938-9Feb - Nationalists recapture Teruel April - Rep govt changes, Nationalists reach

Mediterranean coast cutting Republican zone in two

July-Nov - Battle of Ebro – final, epic Republican fling turns into defeat

Dec 38-Feb39 – Nationalists advance into final Republican stronghold, Catalonia

March - fall of Madrid + central Spain April 1st - Franco declares end of war

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Why Did Franco Win?Quantity + quality of German + Italian aid, few

strings attached. Air supremacy by 1937/8 and crucial in July 1936.

Experienced military force – Army of AfricaEnforced political + military unity

Franco head of state and Commander in chiefFalange and Carlists incorporated

Franco - steady if undramatic military successGood defensive tactics but also successful offensives

Controlled food producing areas34

Why did the Republic Lose?Political divisions throughout the warProblems of militiasIndependent FrontsLack of trained junior officersNorth cut off from rest of RepublicFarce of non-intervention - European

picture Russian + CP power in Republic leads to

demoralisation in Rep areas Food shortages

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Reflections + Consequences200,000 or more deaths

+ thousands to suffer prison + discrimination under Franco’s regime

Spain condemned to nearly 50 years of totalitarian right-wing govt

Humiliation of European democracy + propaganda victory + “war practice” for Hitler and Mussolini

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