Practices of the Spanish Civil war #2 Causes, Practices and Effects of Wars

Nationalists strengths Political unity Military unity Economic advantage Foreign assistance

Political Unity Franco emerges quickly as the leader Sept. 1936 military decides it needs a central command- they choose Franco as political and military leader His rise- other major leaders died, did great as head of Army of Africa, German aid came through him 1937 he merges the 2 major political parties into one-FET Falange Espanola Tradicionalista which he controls

Franco is supported by Church Church leaders would denounce anarchists and communists- used a lot of propaganda Germany and Italy give help but don’t undermine Franco Explain the importance of having a strong central command during a war>

Military Unity Franco draws the local militias into the larger army Army of Africa was so well trained they could handle war while other troops are trained Unified command- able to adopt effective defensive tactics quickly Great communications and many junior officers

Franco has total control and ignores radical ideas from Italy and Germany Franco very skilled military and political leader, troops very obedient and loyal

Economic advantage Had support of the business community Easily got credit Controlled main food producing areas In 1937 they win areas in North which control industrial areas USA gave $700m in credit for Franco to buy rubber and oil

Foreign assistance “became an international crisis whose solution was decided by external circumstance” Hugh Thomas The Spanish Civil War 1961 Continuous supply of aid through the war Germans, Portuguese, Italians sent troops Modern equipment Analyze the quote