WHY DID THE NATIONALISTS WIN THE

SPANISH CIVIL WAR

Nationalists Republicans

Political strengths/weakesses

Military strengths/weaknesses

Economic advantages/disadvantages

Foreign assistance

DRAW THIS TABLE

Political disunity

Caballero was head of the coalition govt in Sept 1936.His rule was weakened by divisions in society, mainly between Communists and Socialists and Anarchists.

REPUBLICAN WEAKNESS

Communists and Socialists wanted to postpone the revolution until after the warAnarchists wanted to use revolutionary policies to win the war.Anarchists in Catalonia, Aragon and Andalusia called for the peasants to start a revolution from below.

This resulted in the Republicans needing to try to regain control in Madrid and Valencia. Catalonia, the Basque region and Asturias became virtually independent.Growth of Communism – the only party with foreign support (USSR).Led to ‘May Days’ 1937 – fighting between the two groups.

Not unity – Communists and anarchist militias wouldn’t work together and loyal army officers were not trusted.At the start, were dependent of ineffective militia units, while the battlefield were out of range of the air force.By end of 1936 – Began to replace militias with coherent ‘ popular army’

MILITARY PROBLEMS

The anarchists organised industries and roads into ‘workers committees’In the countryside, collective farms were set up.These systems could not supply the Republican need.Impaired war effort.

ECONOMIC PROBLEMS

Production in Catalan FELL by 2/3 between 1936-39Republicans faced food and raw materials shortages.Inflation was a problem – 300% in war yearsWages only rose 15%

Non-intervention CommitteeStated by Britain and France in 1936 to stop foreign support.Impact on Republicans – starved them of creditUSSR – only willing group - paid for using ENTIRE gold reserves of Spain.Helped – but too little too late.

More limited supportAlly = USSR – enabled it to fight the civil war in 1936-37.Soviet aircraft and tanks better at the start than Germans or Italians.NO troops.1000 aircraft, 750 tanks, some advisors.ALL WHICH HAD TO BE PAID FOR….

FOREIGN ASSISTANCE

International brigades – organised by Soviets35,000 volunteersImportant in Madrid but generally limited.1938 – Soviets withdrew and International brigades were sent home.

France sent aid at the start of the war, but this ended with the policy of Non-intervention.Driven by Anti-communist sentiments.Gave Hitler and Mussolini no opposition.

Political UnityTheir strength was their unity – Franco quickly emerged as a strong leader.This was because he had control of the Army of Africa and he bought German aid.Needed to control Carlists and Falange who by 1937 were significant.Merged to form FET (Spanish Traditionalist Phalanax.)

NATIONALIST STRENGTHS

Church supported Franco and preached against the left to the peasants.

Franco used propaganda and terror to achieve his aims.

Started with extra militias but bought into regular army. Army of Africa played a significant role.

Most effective force in the Civil War.Franco’s leadership was key to success – Italian forces were under his control.

MILITARY UNITY

Good communication and equipped growing army of junior officers.Franco – able leader – often ignored advice from Italy and Germany.He kept his troops obedient by keeping liberal policies.

Businesses backed Nationalists – credit to buy goods.By September 1936 main food producing areas under their control then 1937 main industrial areas too.USA lent $700 during the course of the war.

ECONOMIC ADVANTAGE

Thomas 1961 ‘International crisis whose solution was decided by external circumstances’.Aid given to rebels greater than Republicans.Germany airlifted Franco’s army from Morocco at the start.

FOREIGN ASSISTANCE

Condor Legion 10,000 troops.800 aircraft200 tanksItaly – 70,000-75,000 troops750 planes150 tanksPortuguese 20,000 troops and free access.Control of air force – key factor was equipment.