February 2013 – World History II

The Spanish Civil War1936 - 1939

Elections in 1931 transform Spain from a constitutional monarchy led by a semi-dictatorial prime minister into a republic

Background to the Civil War

Catalonia and Basque regions desire independence

The Roman Catholic Church and the Republic share a mutual hostility

Republican government wants to reduce the influence of the military

Spain’s largely agrarian economy has been hit hard by the global depression Resulting unemployment

causes the Republic to lose the support of the working class

Problems faced by the Spanish Republic

These issues divided the Spanish people into two opposing groups:Those on the right wanted to protect the

influence of the Catholic Church, landowners, and the military.

Those on the left believed that the government was not making enough liberal reforms.Wanted a more socialist/communist state and the

overthrow of capitalismSupporters of the Republic, communists/socialists,

and anarchists joined together to form the Popular Front against any opposition

Problems faced by the Spanish Republic

General Francisco FrancoBorn in 1892 to an affluent,

military familyAs chief of staff for the Spanish

military, forms an alliance with the Fascist Falange Party and stages a coup against the Republican government and the Popular Front in July 1936

In October 1936, his military junta appoints him Generalissimo of Nationalist Spain and head of state Almost immediately, Hitler’s

Nazi Germany recognizes Franco as the legitimate ruler of Spain

Hitler sends ground troops, tanks, and air force to support Franco and the Nationalists

Mussolini sends ground troops to support Franco and Nationalists

Stalin sends equipment and advisors to support the Republicans and Popular Front

US, Great Britain, and France declare a policy of non-intervention

International Brigades of socialist and anti-fascist volunteers arrive from the US, Great Britain, and France

International Response to the Civil War

Air raid carried out by German and Italian forces in support of Franco’s Nationalists

Attack on market day killed between 800 and 3000 civilian noncombatants

One of the first raids targeting a civilian population

Nazis regarded this as a training exercise for their newly-formed air force

Quickly became a global symbol of civilian suffering

Air Raid on Guernica - 1937

Hangs in the Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid and in the United Nations as a reminder

Pablo Picasso’s Response

In 1939, after three years of battle, Franco’s forces prevail

Franco establishes an authoritarian dictatorship which lasts until his death in 1975

The Outcome

Hitler has seen how the world will respond to his aggression in other nations.

The Second World War will officially begin by the end of the year.

The Outcome