Spanish civil war (Causes) IB

Spanish Civil WarA war between brothers

Spanish Civil War. A fascinating conflict It was considered the prelude of the II WW One of the most bloodiest European civil wars High repercussion in the Spanish history

Prelude of WWII

Same ideologies, and same alliances:

DEMOCRACY + COMMUNISM VS FASCISM/NATIONALISM

A war between brothers

Families were completely broken by the war Example: Franco´s family, my family, etc.

Why?

Complex ideological divide No ethnic, territorial or economic divide

The “last” romantic war

SCW is probably one of the few wars where both sides were really fighting for what they considered a better world

There were two sides with a strong ideological base

Also, it is one of the most recorded (photos, videos) wars

Spanish Civil War

In the Spanish Civil War, it is possible to find a Great Divide (the idea of 2 Spains)

The Conservative Spain The Progressive Spain

Although the country was divided in several questions:

Spanish Civil War

Socio-economic question

Religious question

Ideological question

Regional question

Long-term causes

Ideological divide

The country was divided into two camps: the Conservatives and the Progressives

Minifundia and Latifundia

Long-term causes

What is the traditional ideology of the peasants? Socio-economic question:

North: Peasants have their own lands (Minifundia) --- Conservative

South: The land was controlled by few families (Latifundia) as De Alba --- Peasants with anarchist and socialist ideas (curious case in Europe) with important unions as CNT or FAI

Long-term causes

Religious question What is the main religion in Spain? Typical phenomena in Southern European

countries (Anticlericalism vs. Catholics)

Why? The Church played an important role in the education and politics. The XIXth Century was a century of separation of powers, creating important tension in countries such as Spain or Italy

Long-term causes. Semana Trágica

The “Semana Tragica” was a week in 1909

This week, churches were attacked and burnt in Barcelona after the requirement for new troops in Africa (wave of anticlericalism)

The cemeteries' were also profaned

Long-term causes

Regionalism

The process of Nationalization was incomplete in Spain (The State was unable to create a common national identity)

Strong regional identities in Catalonia and Basque Country (less in Galicia)

The national feeling raised at the beginning of the XXth Century with the failure of the national Spanish project (loss of colonial possessions, political instability)

Long-term causes. Territorialism

Different causes:

Incomplete nationalization because of: Education: Controlled by the Church Military: Spanish Disaster in Cuba Bourgeoisie: Weak bourgeoisie, focused in

Catalonia

Long-term causes. Regionalism

Successful alternatives:

Basque Nationalism: Ultraconservative and rural (Political party: PNV) based on the protection of “Fueros” (old taxation system abolished in 1876)

Catalan Nationalism: Liberal, modern and based on the bourgeoisie (Political party: Lliga)

Prof. Samuel Perrino Martínez. Liceo XXII José Martí de Varsovia

16 Cartoons

Long-term causes. Militarism

Military played an important role in Spanish politics during XIXth Century

They participated in different coups and they interfered in politics as a major actor

The role of the military was criticized after the Disaster of 98 and the colonial defeats in Africa

The Disaster of 98.

The War of Cuba (Spanish-American War)

The USA was interested in Spanish colonial possessions so it was pushing Spain to obtain the island

Spain refused, so they used the explosion of a warship (Maine) to declare war on Spain

21 Press campaign

22


23

The Disaster of 98

The media believed in a quick victory against the USA

The reality was completely different: in less than one day, the Spanish Navy was defeated

Spain lost:- Cuba- Puerto Rico- Philippines- The honor (Cuba was considered part of Spain)

The military. Colonial expeditions

The military was involved in African campaigns in the Rif region (Conference of Algeciras) as a manner to improve the prestige

High cost in human lives : War increasingly unpopular in Spain among popular classes (Spain was unable to support a colonial Empire)

One example: the Disaster of Annual (1921, more than 300 Spaniards lost their lives)

Long-term causes. Politics

1876 – 1923: Monarchy based on the system of “turnismo” and “caciquismo” (similar case as Portugal, Italy or Greece)

Manipulated elections and two main parties (liberals and conservatives)

Certain political stability and generalized corruption

Long-term cases. Political system

The problems (separatism, strikes, popular unrest) affected the country, so in 1923, the general Miguel Primo de Rivera decided to take over the power

Dictatorship (1923 – 1930)

He tried to be the iron surgeon. His model was Mussollini

although he will work with the socialists


29 The Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera

Origin Why Initial goals Stages Main measures Order Repression of peripheral nationalism

Public works Organization of labor Opposition The end of the system


30 Origins

In 1923, the general Miguel Primo de Rivera made a coup against the government

The coup was accepted by the King, the conservative groups, the middle class and even the socialists (PSOE)

Why?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcoGNHF6Pd0&index=132&list=PL7FE021101EBD7A21


31 It seemed liberal democracies were an old-fashioned system (disorder and corruption)


32 Why? What are the main aims?

Military --- Stop the Picasso Report (A report which tried to look for responsibilities in the Army)

Conservatives--- Stop the strikes+ Stop peripheral nationalisms

Socialist--- Improve the quality of life of the workers with a strong government


33 Initial idea

Primo wanted to be the “iron surgeon” who will solve the problems of the country

Temporary situation, to reestablish the order

Military government and strong censorship to “fix” the country


34 Stages

Directorio Militar (1923 – 1925)- Idea of provisory government

Institutionalization of the regime(1925-1930)- He tried to create a party (Patriotic Union) and include civilian members in the government to maintain the regime


35 Initial measures. Harsh repression of peripherical nationalism Catalan, Galician and Basque

were forbidden Imprisonment and persecution

of the nationalist leaders


36 Order and repression

Use of the police and the army to repress the public demonstrations

Strategic Alliance with the Socialist to calm the workers


37 End of the War in Morocco

Spectacular victory in the Battle of Alhucemas (anphibious assault) where F.Franco will get the degree of general


38 1925-1930.

In 1925, the Military Directory was converted in a Civil Directory

The King seemed enthusiastic with the Project of Primo de Rivera


39 Working conditions

Ambitious plan to stop the social tension:

National Plan of Infrastructure: Creation of roads, rails, etc.

National Council of Work: Laws about salaries, contracts, insurances to avoid the abuses

Try to imitate the Italian model


40

41 The opposition to Primo de Rivera

- Anarchist and Socialist (they will abandon Primo at the end of the Dictatorship)

- Military: They were not satisfied with the system of “amiguismos”

- Students: Against an authoritarian regime

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwMtOS7O37o&list=PL7FE021101EBD7A21&index=137


42 The opposition to the Dictatorship


43 The end of the Dictatorship. Wall Street Crash 1929 --- world crisis The ambitious plan of Public

Works was affected by the Crash The tension was back ---- Strikes

and social unrest ---`Primo resigned in 1930

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLotxepjfLs&list=PL7FE021101EBD7A21&index=162


44 The Dictablanda of Berenguer

The King decided to appoint a general as the new president: Berenguer

Berenguer was unable to control the situation so the situation got worse and worse (this period will receive the name of Dictablanda” (Soft Dictatorship)


45 The San Sebastian Agreement

The republican opposition was united in the San Sebastian Agreement


46 The San Sebastian Agreement

The left-wing parties organized demonstration's against the regime and in favor of the Republic

Berenguer resigned and called for new elections

The new president (Aznar) released the political prisoners, who participated in the electoral campaign.


47 The Elections of 1931

The results are quite curious: The Monarchists won (2,000 more representatives, but in the cities, the Republicans obtained better results)

The King saw this as a defeat and he went to the exile. Why?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_0t7cVsc1A&index=9&list=PL5CEE29BF87B2980D


48 The elections of 1931

The Monarchists won in the countryside because of the “caciquismo”

The beginning of a new system: the Spanish Republic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GS3SVVbGzs&list=PL5CEE29BF87B2980D&index=17

The elections of 1931

The failure of the II Republic (1931 – 1936) The II Republic was the second democratic

experience of Spain It was characterized by a high tension and

division between the different political poles

Traditional problem in Europe : Democratic system with a population who did not really believe in democracy


50 II Republic

Period of important changes in Europe Period of disorder

Truly democratic experience, in a complicated world


51 The context. Europe in the 30s

Rise of authoritarian States 1919: Majority of democratic

States 1939: Majority of dictatorships Democracy was not working for

the majority of social classes, so there were two more sucessful alternatives:


52


53 Europe in the 30s

Workers- Goal: Improve the quality of life They believed the Socialist

Revolution was possible, so they were going to fight for that

They did not believe the Liberal State could improve their quality of life, because most of them were living in poverty.



Burgueosie. Aim: Free market In theory, they were in favor of

the Liberal State, but they were reluctant because they saw it was unable to establish order (terrorism)

That is why, they were looking for new ideologies as fascism



Peasants- Aim: Keep the traditional way of living It is important to consider that

peasants were the most numerous social class

They had the perception that the State wanted certain things (money, special rules) so they did not trust a lot in this State


56 In this situation of crisis of the idea of democracy, a new democracy was born: the II Republic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7zkzf7VZTg&index=20&list=PL5CEE29BF87B2980D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ2y0dRLLGU&index=28&list=PL5CEE29BF87B2980D


57


58 Celebrations


59

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhcwuzvaYCA&index=24&list=PL5CEE29BF87B2980D

The II Republic

There were three governments during the II Republic: Progressive government (1931 – 1933) Conservative government (1934 – 1936) Popular Front government (1936)

It is relevant the fact there was a coup attempt with every government by the political opposition

The II Republic

1931 – 1933: Progressive government (ruled by Azaña) tried to develop an ambitious program of reforms to modernize the country, with the firm opposition of the Right-Wing supporters

1932: Sanjurjo Coup (Spanish general tried to seize the power, a kind of Kapp Putsch)


62 Reforms in the Progressive Years (1931 – 1933) Church and educational reform Military reform Agrarian reform Territorial reform


63 Educational reform

Ambitious plan of public schools, with the improvement of the teacher´s salary

The State guaranteed a secular school, and the subject Religion was out of the syllabus.

Strong opposition of the clergy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ricsKefkbwU&list=PL5CEE29BF87B2980D&index=42


64

Religious reform

Teaching of religious orders was banned (attempt to finish with the monopoly of education by the Church)

Prohibition of religious symbols in public (i.e crucifixes in schools)

No financial support of the Church by the State after two years

Legalization of divorce and civil marriage

Many people felt threatened by this reforms


66 Military reform

Reduction of the military Budget Reduction of officials The top positions were guaranteed to

military with Republican convictions Those with “right wing” sympathies

were moved to peripheral regions(Canary Islands, Africa, Galicia)

Attempt of selective modernization

Opposition of the military

67 Agrarian reform

Extremely important: Most of the population are peasants

Ley de Bases para la Reforma Agraria: Forced expropriation of lands of “manos

muertas” or with excessive prices of rent Obligation to farm the land Relevant to the South (most of the

Latifundia) but the peasants of the North were also scared

The government created the Institute of Agrarian Reform to study the different cases.



68 Agrarian Reform

Anyone was happy with this reform:

For the anarchist (CNT) and communist (PCE) the law was insufficient, because they wanted better lands

For the landowners, it was unfair, because the lands were taken away against their will

Territorial reform

Establishment of a limited autonomy for Catalonia (Parliament, constitution and control over 1/3 of the budget)

Promises of autonomy to other peripheral regions: Galicia and Basque Country

Reaction from the right-wing

For the right wing, the reforms were a direct attack to the traditional Spanish values

Also, they considered the possibility of a Communist revolution in the country

At the beginning of the II Republic, they were really disorganized

Right-wing was organized through the CEDA, led by Gil Robles

Reaction to the reforms

Left-wing was divided: The most important left-wing party (PSOE) was divided about the

reforms, with two trends: Radical trend (led by Caballero): They considered the reforms were not

enough Moderate trend: In favor of the reforms

- Also, many left-wing supporters were Catholics (i.e, the president of the Republic Alcala Zamora) so they did not like the Anti-Clericalism

Reaction to the reforms

The Anarchist (CNT) and the Communist (PCE) were firmly opposed to the government, considering insufficient the reforms

Permanent strikes and public demonstrations

Actually, an Anarchist revolution (Casas Viejas) will end up with the Progressive Period

The Dark Years

1934 – 1936: The Dark Years The government basically

withdrew the previous reforms

1934: The Asturias Revolution (miners tried to start a Socialist Revolution in the North of Spain)

They were responded by the Army (Franco)

The government imprisoned many left-wing politicians

The Asturias Uprising(1934)

Socialist attempt to control the power

The revolt just succeeded in the region of Asturias (mining region)

The miners were able to control 1/3 of the Asturias region during some days

The reaction of the government (directed by Franco) was brutal (1,500 deaths and a strong repression of the left-wing supporters and politicians in all the country)


75 Asturias Revolution


77 1936 Elections

The political radicalization was very high, without centrist options

There are two main blocks: the Popular Front (left-wing) and the National Front (right wing)


78


79 1936 Elections. The Popular Front

Different and diverse groups: Liberal left-wing: Azaña (IR) Socialists: PSOE, divided between

moderates(Prieto) and radicals(Caballero)

Communist: stalinist(PCE) and non stalinist(POUM)

Catalan nacionalist(ERC) and Basque nationalists(PNV)

EVEN THE ANARCHIST WILL BE PART OF THE POPULAR FRONT


80 Elections 1936. Aims of the Popular Front

Aim: Amnesty of political prisoners Go back to the Constitution of

1931 Recover the autonomy of the

regions (Basque Country, Catalonia and Galicia)


81 1936 Elections. The National Front

The right wing was divided into three political groups, but it was clear they belonged to the same group:

CEDA, Gil Robles: Very conservative and catholic

Bloque Nacional, Calvo Sotelo: Ultraconservative and Nationalist

Falange Española, J.A Primo de Rivera: Fascist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ywm2GryJu44&index=65&list=PL5CEE29BF87B2980D


82 1936 Elections. The National Front

Goal: Authoritarian Republic and repression of the left


83 Posters


84


85


86


87


88

89 1936 Elections. Results

Extremely high participation, in a divided country: Two Spains

Finally, the Popular Front won with a small difference, and Azaña was proclaimed President


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDOcv1Dyj1g&list=PL5CEE29BF87B2980D&index=61

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGnbtfQkCfg&list=PL5CEE29BF87B2980D&index=66

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkWMBK4lDng&index=67&list=PL5CEE29BF87B2980D


90


91

II Republic (1936)

The Popular Front won the elections with a small margin

But, this time the rebellion is going to create a civil war (Spanish Civil War)


93 However, after the elections, the tension raised and raised


94


95 Anticlericalism


96 Political radicalization. Rise of the Falange


97 Political radicalization

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu8OhRJhJNU&list=PL5CEE29BF87B2980D&index=78

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCozRH34qUM&list=PL5CEE29BF87B2980D&index=89


98


99Political radicalization. Union of Socialist and Communist Youth


100 Assassination of the Tennent Castillo by the right wing extremist


101 Assassination of Calvo Sotelo

There were rumors of rebellion (both, left-wing and right wing)

In this situation, there was a key event: the assassination of Calvo Sotelo, leader of one of the main right-wing parties

A group of generals was convinced it was the right moment to start a coup against the government.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiC8lL97X1E&list=PL5CEE29BF87B2980D&index=96


102


103 The tension was really high