Practices of the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939

Overview: Spanish Civil War broke out in 1936 after more than a century of social, economic, and political division. Half a million people died in this conflict. Military revolt of 1936 developed into a full scale civil war in which foreign powers and volunteers participated Franco & rebels initially take south and throughout are generally more successful than republic 1939 – nationalists (Franco) win, mainly due to left’s failure to win arms and supplies from Western democracies Spanish Civil War (SCW) - similar to WWII – particularly in impact on civilian population http://www.the-map-as- history.com/kiosque/lit_carte_vimeo.php?numtome=3&num=130073068

Nature and Main Practices of the SCW Bitter conflict between Spaniards – bore some characteristics of the total war Civilians seen as legitimate targets for bombing All resources of the Republic deployed to defeat the revolt Ideological conflict – left vs. right For foreign countries involved: Germany, Italy, USSR – limited conflict Used limited resources / not fundamental for their national existence Due to foreign intervention – more aircrafts, tanks, heavy artillery

Main Events of the SCW: War began as military coup planned by a group of generals (Franco joined later) Support for nationalist rebels focused in the Canary Islands, Spanish Morocco, Navarre, rural Castile and Aragon Madrid, Barcelona – loyal to the Republic Rebel general Goded was killed in Barcelona; General Sanjuro killed in a plane crash – 3 rebel generals left – Franco, Mola, Quiepo – in charge of 5 cities and about ¼ of mainland Spain Most industrial and trading centers held by the republican government, much of the army loyal to the Republic (legitimate government) and foreign leaders recognized its authority

Franco Sanjuro Goded Mola Quiepo

Events Popular Front coalition lacked discipline/ deep divisions within the government, and attacks on the clergy resulted in 7,000 deaths – increasing support for the rebels Aug/Sept 1936 Franco brought Moroccan legion (24,000 soldiers) to Spain with German aircraft transport – nationalist forces took cities and town of the south Franco proceeded towards Madrid – underway relieved besieged Toledo (held by Republicans Determined Republican defense prevented Franco from taking Madrid Italy sent 70,000 regular troops and supplies and military assistance came to Franco from Portugal and Germany (100 planes) Russia sent military aid and volunteers (International Brigades) to republicans Nationalist naval victory at Cape Espartel broke republican blockade of Morocco/ significant for supplies

Sieges, attacks and counter attacks: Siege of Madrid by nationalists (Oct. 29th – Nov. 23 1936) Nationalists had professional troops vs. volunteers (a lot of republican forces) Nationalists wanted to attack via university area, plan discovered by republicans Gen. Miaja organized the defense Arrival of International Brigades aided republican effort – Madrid survived, but siege prolonged Franco attempted to cut off Madrid in the Battle of Coruna ( Dec 1936- Jan 1937) – 30,000 losses and a stalemate In the North, many areas sided with the rebels, republicans attacked by Basque troops, but better weapons and technology resulted in nationalist victor in the Battle of Villareal Nationalists failed to take Madrid due to strong poplar support for the republic, however republicans lacked a clear central authority Republicans lost control of Malaga in Feb. 1937/ mass executions followed takeover

Sieges, attacks and counter attacks: Attacks on Madrid continued in Feb. 1937/ total losses were more than 45,000 – nationalists and Italian troops continued the attack on city of Guadalajara but met bad weather and Italians withdrew March to June 1937, nationalists attack against the Basques; Bilbao (major port and industrial city) fell Terror bombing against Guernica and Durango was effective – (Guernica, ancient capital of the Basque) bombed by German Condor Legion, made into a rubble Republican losses of tanks and airplanes were hard to restore, but nationalists could rely on new supplies from their allies

Sieges, attacks and counter attacks: In the North, Italy and nationalists outnumbered republican forces and they were overwhelmed in August 1937 Focused on Aragon, but initially lost too many men Fall 1937, nationalist forces completed their northern conquests by subdoing the Asturias region (faced guerilla resistance from republican militias) City of Teruel fell to republicans in Feb. 1938, but Franco was determined to retake it, trapping republican forces in the city (100,000 casualties) – war became, war of attrition After a large republican troop and war material losses and northern nationalist victories, Franco was able to drive through Aragon and reach the sea cutting republican territory in two – he was helped by Italians and Germans – likely the turning point of the war By the end of 1938, the outcome of the war was no more in doubt; nationalist forces swept into Catalonia and took Barcelona In Madrid, Republican forces surrender to Franco Franco became official ruler of Spain http://www.century-of-flight.net/Aviation%20history/WW2/images3/spain-cw[1].gif

Technology and tactics: Air Power: Spanish airpower – underdeveloped but Franco had assistance from German and Italian aircrafts Allowed nationalist to gain air superiority in key campaigns Used bombings to terrorize republican held cities (populations) SCW – first war in history with so many aircrafts used (3000) Franco’s success in Aragon and Catalonia –due to airpower Franco’s coordination of aircraft, artillery, tanks and infantry – showed way to Blitzkrieg Symbol of total war – bombing of Guernica

What was the significance of mobilization of human and economic resources and the home front? Mobilization of Resources: Both republican and nationalists had to rely on conscription Both relied on professional officers to organize conscription campaigns Both had issues with man power; new research shows that more than half of the prisoners taken by nationalists were induced to change side and to join their enemies Both sides had to appropriate economic and financial resources Republicans – control major share of economic assets: industrial north, gold and silver resources; had more people (60%) Had issues with getting resources and weapons from outside; non-intervention treaty signed by more than 30 countries in 1936 Success hampered by international divisions

Propaganda Both sides used propaganda Republicans – set up a ministry of public instruction, Sept. 1938, used artists to create heroic images Nationalists – learned from fascists states, used slogans to promote unity, and belief in their leader, Franco rallied Catholic Spain

How significant was foreign intervention? Spanish Civil War was international 30,000 foreign volunteers from 52 countries on republican side Nationalist side – regular forces from Germany, Italy From 1937 – LoN banned foreign volunteers International brigades disbanded by the Republican government in 1938 Initially the international brigades were good for raising the morale and it seemed like the world was supportive of the Spanish Republic ;however they brought the equipment and language problems weakened military effectiveness USSR sent Republic 800 planes, 350 tanks Nationalist side had more effective support from foreign governments, the tanks, artillery, and machine guns by Germany and Italy The war was won by application of superior manpower and firepower by Franco (an army of million men by 1938) Willingness of International brigades less significant than the embargo on imported arms

Lincoln Battalion – Americans fighting in the Spanish Civil War

Why did the nationalists win the SCW? Nationalist Strengths: Political unity Unified under Franco Merging Carlists and Falange into new party Falange Espanola Tradicionalista (FET, Spanish Traditionalist Phalanx) Assisted by the church Military unity Initially had issues of division – but unified command under Franco was key to Nationalists’ success Franco able military leader Foreign Assistance: More and better quality aid than for Republicans Germans, Italians, Portuguese

Why did the nationalists win the SCW? Republican Weaknesses: Political Disunity: Caballero – head of a coalition government; rule weakened by the fact that republicans were politically divided/support for widely different ideologies Key division: communists/socialists and anarchists Military problems: Lacked strong military leadership/ no unified command Militias Economic problems: Areas under anarchist control, industries, public utilities, and transport were taken over by workers’ committees; in the countryside, collective farms were set up. Non-Intervention Committee (NIC) prevented foreign influx of weapons (USSR the only country willing to trade with the republic) Foreign assistance: Far more limited than foreign aid to nationalists Soviet aircrafts and tanks were more effective early on than German and Italians, but no soviet troops were sent to fight USSR committed 1000 aircraft, 750 tanks, and some advisers