Nature of the Spanish Civil War Brendan Stone & Alex Wang

Limited or Total War? Limited War Total War Foreign Nations support was mostly sent in the form of weapons Limited geographical area Limited degree of mobilization Spain Use of propaganda Civilians targeted in bombing raids Use of both old and modern warfare tactics (cavalry, airpower, seapower) Blitzkrieg was used (tanks, artillery, air bombardment)

A Case of Total War - Guernica 1,600 defenseless civilians were killed in the bombing of Guernica by the Condor Legion of the German Air Force

Republican Weaknesses Political Disunity The Republicans were divided among different ideologies: communism, socialism, and anarchism Communists/Socialists Anarchists Communists/Socialists wanted to “revolutionize” only after the war was won Wanted to strengthen the Second Republic The Spanish Communist Party’s membership increased tenfold in 15 months from 40,000 in 1936 to 400,000 in 1937 Anarchists believed the war could be won only through revolutionary policies Wanted a new revolutionary regime

Republican Weaknesses Political Disunity - ‘May Days’ 4 days of street fighting in Barcelona Communists/Socialists vs. Anarchists/POUM Communist Leader Juan Negrin attacked the Anarchists/POUM and its leaders were imprisoned or executed

Republican Weaknesses Military Problems no unified command communists and anarchists would not work together battles were fought in series of local conflicts instead of an overall major campaign Offensive campaigns were not sustained Brenete, Belchite, and Teruel

Republican Weaknesses Economic weaknesses Anarchist workers’ committees took control of industry, public transport and utilities while collective farms were set up in the countryside Production in key areas of Catalan fell by two-thirds led to raw material and food shortages Inflation reached 300% during the war

Nationalist Strengths Political Unity Franco rose to power and controlled politics and the military he merged the Carlist and Falange Parties into the Falange Espanola Tradicionalista Military Unity The Army of Africa proved to be the most effective force in the civil war All forces were under Franco’s leadership including Italian forces. This led to… better communications and equipment of soldiers effective defensive tactics successful offensive campaigns

Nationalist Strengths Economic control Nationalists had control over main food- producing areas Won areas of major industry Could trade internationally USA gave $700 million in credit Franco’s forces could acquire all needed rubber and oil

Main Reasons for Nationalist Victory Support of Germany and Italy, including transport of Army of Africa from Morocco, air power, troops and finance Non-Intervention Agreement signed by 27 nations including Britain and France Disagreement and in-fighting by the various strands of left wing supporters and other Republican groups with political factionalism. Russian support for Republicans came with strings attached Nationalists were more cohesive under Franco Tactical mistakes in conduct of the war by Republicans.

Approaching the Essay Question For what reasons, and with what results, did foreign intervention occur in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)? REASONS ideology (i.e. providing support for rival domestic factions) economic benefits to be gained in event of victory of one particular side geopolitical/strategic benefits for the future IMPACT extent of damage caused effect on the duration of the conflict economic costs as a result of foreign involvement significance of contribution of outside aid to eventual victory/defeat of one side

Foreign Intervention Historiography The Spanish Civil War “became an international crisis whose solution was decided by external circumstances” - Hugh Thomas These external circumstances included… Aid from foreign governments and volunteers with their stake in the result of the conflict As a result, foreign intervention... lengthened and intensified the war merged Spanish issues with wider European ideological battles

The Non-Intervention Committee Established by Britain and France Sought to limit foreign support to the conflict in Spain Caused by Britain’s fear of this leading to a general European conflict Less of an effort to block aid going to the Nationalists than the Republic

Germany REASONS Ideological - Stop communism Economic Benefits - Received raw materials like iron ore Future Geopolitical/Strategic Benefits - Hitler was leery at first, wasn’t prepared for a general European war; ability to test out Luftwaffe in live conditions; hamper Anglo-French maritime communications IMPACT Thought the war would be over shortly and only committed limited aid at first Supplied Nationalist cause through Portugal Perpetrated the bombing of Guernica, pivotal in the Nationalists’ gain of Catalonia German military presence deterred action from other countries Spain ended up being a proving ground for other fascist soldiers from Germany and Italy

Italy REASONS Ideological - Anti-communist/socialist/democratic outlook; pro-fascist Economic Benefits - Future Geopolitical/Strategic Benefits - Enhance influence as key power in the Mediterranean; demonstration of power; fascist victory would encircle France and weaken its left-wing influence; place pressure on French North African colonies IMPACT Gave the most assistance Sent 70,000-75,000 troops as well as planes, tanks and weapons Bombed cities and threatened supplies with submarines Most significant intervention came in the form of air and Naval support, undoubtedly leading to a Nationalist victory

USSR REASONS Ideological - Worried by the “spread of fascism in Europe” Economic Benefits - Paid in the gold reserves of the former Republic Future Geopolitical/Strategic Benefits - Did not want another fascist state in Europe to contribute to Hitler’s growing alliance; did not wish to polarize Britain and France into an alliance with Hitler; the longer it dragged on, the more likely the conflict would escalate into a general war far from the borders of the USSR IMPACT Provided 1,000 aircrafts, 900 tanks, 1,500 artillery pieces, 300 armoured cars, 15,000 machine guns, 30,000 automatic firearms, 30,000 mortars, 500,000 rifles and 30,000 tons of ammunition Transported international volunteers and weapons Lengthened the conflict, by being the only supporter of the Republic If the Republicans had won, the country would be nearly bankrupt and the value of its currency depleted Allowed the Republicans to put up a fight much longer than if they had been alone. withdrew from NIC in October 1936 The USSR was the main supporter of the Republican forces. Joseph Stalin, worried by the ‘spread of Fascism’ in Europe and the threat it posed to the Soviet Union, was willing to send aid in order to stop the Nationalists from gaining power. He encouraged the committee to form international brigades of volunteer fighters that would be sent to aid Republican Spain. The Soviet Union was also the biggest provider of military material for the Republican forces. During the war, the USSR sent 1,000 aircrafts, 900 tanks, 1,500 artillery pieces, 300 armoured cars, 15,000 machine guns, 30,000 automatic firearms, 30,000 mortars, 500,000 rifles and 30,000 tons of ammunition. Stalin expected to be paid in gold for the aid, as Spain happened to have the world’s fourth largest gold reserves at the outbreak of the war. Approximately $500 million, two-thirds of Spain’s gold reserves, were shipped to the Soviet Union during the conflict.

Britain REASONS Ideological - Anti-communism (therefore pro-fascism), avoid war at all costs Economic Benefits - Treaty signed to allow British businesses to trade with Nationalists Future Geopolitical/Strategic Benefits - Did not want civil war to affect relationships with Italy and Portugal IMPACT Focused on preventing the USSR from sending aid to the Republicans more than Germany and Italy providing aid to the Nationalists Hastened conflict and encouraged a Nationalist victory with their “blind-eye” support Discouraged Stalin from supporting the Republicans and forming an alliance after June 1938

Portugal IMPACT Uncompromised by the NIC Sent 20,000 troops to the Nationalist cause Re-supplied Nationalists along border Provided communications base Portugal’s long standing alliance with Britain, led Britain to be reluctant to betray them in supporting the Republicans, most certainly drawing Britain’s support closer to the Nationalist cause, very beneficial to Franco’s forces

France REASONS Ideological - Pursued solely humanitarian aid Future Geopolitical/Strategic Benefits - Not ideal to have 3 neighboring right-wing states, but feared revolt and relied on Britain IMPACT Main staging point for Soviet aid Significant blow to the Republicans without the French’s aid, polarized the politics of the civil war, leading to the Republicans being associated with “Soviet communism”

United States REASONS Ideological - Anti-communism Economic Benefits - Allowed American industry to trade with Nationalist cause (Texaco and GM) Future Geopolitical/Strategic Benefits - Appeasement of fascist dictators IMPACT Increased odds of a Nationalist victory with the supply of essential war materials such as oil and vehicles

International Brigades Volunteer fighters for the Republicans staged out of France Total number of combatants ranged from 32,000-35,000 active with as many as 10,000 non-active roles fulfilled Many came from foreign communist parties with the first originating in the USSR With the main recruitment center in Paris, volunteers were arranged with money and a passport and sent on a train or boat into Spain Played large roles in the Siege of Madrid, Battle of Jarama, and the Battle of Guadalajara

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