BY SPRING 1936 THE PLOT TO OVERTHROW THE OUTBREAK OF THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR
COUP D'ÉTAT Generals Mola, Goded, Fanjul and Franco (later) Sanjurjo was nominal leader but he was in exile in Portugal Mola became the main organiser Included lots of younger, more junior officers
Met 8 March 1936 Agreed that if Caballero took over the government or a communist revolution took place then they would act to take over major towns, specifically Madrid
POPULAR FRONT RESPONSE Transferred some generals to less central or less important commands Franco – Canary Islands Goded – The Balearics Mola –Pamplona in Navarre (left him in a stronger position to negotiate with the Carlists)
SUPPORT Alfonsist monarchists – Calvo Sotelo’s National Bloc CEDA – Gil Robles CEDA had declined after electoral defeat in Feb 1936 Carlists –Fal Conde Requetes had 6000 armed members Disagreements between Conde and Mola Falange
ASSASSINATIONS 25 May – Mola issued a detailed plan for risings in the provinces to be followed by a co- ordinated attack on Madrid 12 July Falange gunmen killed left-wing Assualt Guard officer Castillo As reprisal Calvo Sotelo was kidnapped and shot
PLANNING Date set for 18 July Plot in Morocco was discovered so army acted on 17 July 18 July rebellions in Andalucía 19 July rebellions in Madrid, Barcelona, Pamplona and Saragossa Franco had arrived in Morocco and taken command there
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE PM Casares Quiroga resigned Replaced by Martinez Barrio Telephoned Mola on Pamplona on 18 July Martinez resigned on 19 July Replaced by Giral Gave arms to the various workers’ militias in Madrid to defend the Republic