The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)

In the 1930’s the world faced a world wide great depression…

There was poverty and unrest There was poverty and unrest. Many felt that a “communist” government might hold answers to relieve the misery…

Communism? Based on the ideas of the German economist Karl Marx. He argued that CLASS STRUGGLE was the main force in history. The working class (PROLETARIAT) were exploited by the class that owned property – like factories (the BOURGEOISIE). Marx predicted that the working class would violently overthrow the BOURGEOISIE and create a COMMUNIST society.

Communist Society In a Communist Society there would be no: Private Property Businesses run for profit Religion Democratic elections The State (government) would make all the decisions about what to produce.

Russia 1917 – the first Communist Nation In 1917 the Bolshevik Party led by Lenin staged a violent communist revolution in Russia. The new Communist Government threatened to spread revolution throughout Europe. This was feared and opposed by both fascist and democratic governments.

Other nations turn to fascist dictators.

Both Communist governments and Fascist governments practiced TOTALITARIANISM.

Totalitarianism means: Total control. Control over people’s lives Control over what they read Control over where they work Control over political process Control over businesses.

In Germany and Italy, people gave up their personal freedoms for the economic prosperity and national glory that Hitler and Mussolini offered them.

In Russia, Stalin was forcing the Communist system on the people In Russia, Stalin was forcing the Communist system on the people. When the farmers of the Ukraine rebelled, he starved them to death.

The Ukrainian famine cost between 3 and 6 million lives.

Other countries were affected by the Great Depression and growing support for communism…in the United States, thousands joined the communist party.

In Spain, the government would face a test when force on the “right” who were anti-communist, would face those on the “left.”

This clash became a civil war, which cost Spain billions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of lives.

1931 Spanish Election King Alfonso Change of Government In 1931 the Spanish King abdicated (left the throne). The first democratic election in Spain’s history was won by groups supported by the working class of Spain. The new government declared that Spain was a Republic (an elected government with no Monarchy)

Division in Spain Republicans Nationalists Supported by Supported by Wealthy Landowners The Catholic Church Monarchists (people who want a royal family to govern a country) Military leaders Wanted to Restore the power of Church, King and the wealthy. Supported by Working people Communist groups around the world. Wanted to Introduce a worker-led democracy

General Franco Supported the Nationalists Believed that Strong Men should lead a Strong State (Fascism!). In 1936 he led the army in a coup (violent takeover) of the democratically elected government. In response, workers and communists took up arms – plunging Spain into war.

The war should have ended early on…but outside “dictators” sent support. Who were those dictators?

Yes. Hitler and Mussolini supported the right (Nationalists), and Stalin supported the left (Republicans).

For these dictators, the war was an opportunity to “test” their weapons, including tanks and planes, and see how they worked against European cities and civilians.

Britain, France, USA stay out… While the German air force was bombing Spanish cities the democratic governments refused to get send their military. Instead, citizens within those countries (including some New Zealanders) volunteered to fight for the Republicans.

Many other nations wanted to fight for the two sides—some Americans included--but all came unofficially to support the side that they believed was right.

The side on the right were called NATIONALISTS and the side on the left were called REPUBLICANS With the help of Germany and Italy the Nationalist forces began to control most of Spain.

Those who were on the left were also against the power of the Catholic church. As a result, thousands of nuns and priests were slaughtered.

Hitler sent his famous “Condor Legion Hitler sent his famous “Condor Legion.” This was a group of skilled pilots with new planes that were skilled at terror bombing..

Terror Bombing The Nazis employed terror bombing in Spain. They targeted civilian populations deliberately to destroy enemy morale. Hitler used Spain as trial run for any wars he might have to wage in future.

Infamous Attack GUERNICA They bombed the city of Guernica and slaughtered the inhabitants. Women and children were killed….

A group of women and children A group of women and children. They were lifted high into the air, maybe 20 feet or so, and they started to break up. Legs, arms, heads, and bits and pieces flying everywhere.

Guernica Bombing Occurred on a Market Day to maximise casualties. Was the first significant example of using bombs to destroy a civilian target. Hitler was pleased with the results and confident that the reports from Guernica would make other nations scared of similar attacks.

Pablo Picasso, a Spanish painter, chose to use this bombing of the town as the theme for a very large painting.

The painting is almost the size of one wall of your classroom The painting is almost the size of one wall of your classroom. It is done in black, grey, and white.

The images are startling The images are startling. Picasso tried to be secretive about the painting’s meaning…but we have clues about why he included certain drawings.

He had made drawings earlier where he did explain their meanings…

Guernica took months to paint. It was displayed in Paris Guernica took months to paint. It was displayed in Paris. Let’s take a look at some of the symbolism…

The Bull in the painting is a symbol of Spain The Bull in the painting is a symbol of Spain. The bull “observes” the destruction in front of him.

The fallen warrior is from the legend of Parsifal—whose sword breaks in half at the crucial moment of battle.

The fallen warrior is also laid out in a crucifix position…

The slashes on the horse are representative of newsprint—the newspaper that lists those who have died.

The light in the middle of the painting may mean violence…

There are terrible images—a woman holding a dead child.

A person burning in a fire…

Some say that Picasso painting an open door so that he could “escape” from the violence.

Guernica has come to be one of the most famous paintings of our modern age--

The Spanish Civil War ended in 1939 when the National troops won The Spanish Civil War ended in 1939 when the National troops won. Hitler and Mussolini began to work closer together as dictators.

Mussolini “allowed” Hitler to move into Austria…

Two years later, World War II began when Hitler attacked Poland.

But Spain did not join with Hitler’s Germany, even though Hitler had helped the national troops in their Spanish Civil War.

The leader of Spain, Franco, insisted that Spain remain independent and neutral…

So Spain did not go through the devastation of World War II—Franco died in 1975.

Anwhat about Guernica—well, after it was showed in Paris, it was seen in other places, then it was sent to New York City, where it remained. BUT IT WAS NOT RETURNED TO SPAIN!!

Picasso said it should only return to Spain when Franco died Picasso said it should only return to Spain when Franco died. When Franco died, the canvas was rolled up and sent back to Spain.

In 1981, Guernica was finally sent back to Spain In 1981, Guernica was finally sent back to Spain. There it can be seen today…a masterpiece of modern painting.

The image is still used today to protest war and the destruction that war brings…