What do you see in this painting? How does it feel? What do you think the painting is about? What time period is this painting? Who do you think painted this piece?

Guernica Pablo Picasso, 1937 Picasso was a famous Spanish painter, The canvas is very large, 11x 25 feet

Depicts the bombing of Guernica, a historical Spanish Basque town, by the Nazis. Killed a thousand people, one out of eight people.

As we go through these notes, please write down the questions and then answer (short summary, bullet points) in your notes.

What were the Causes of the Spanish Civil War? tensions between industrial democratic peoples and supporters of agrarian feudalism regional independence movements (especially in Catalonia and Basque territory) vs. nationalism dispute over the role of the Catholic Church

Who led the Fascist side of the Spanish Civil War? How did other countries help the Civil War? How did Hitler use the Civil War as a “test” for WWII?

Spanish Civil War Until 1931 Spain was a monarchy In 1931 a republic was established, run by socialist and liberals (called “Republicans”). Spain was facing many problems, especially during the economic depression a revolt began in favor of a fascist government, led by General Francisco Franco and supported by army leaders.

Support from the outside Western democracies and the Allied Powers were reluctant to get involved in the civil war. Only the Soviet Union sent aid (to the Republicans).  2,000 Americans unofficially volunteered to help the Republican side (Lincoln Brigade)

Support from the outside Hitler and Mussolini sent weapons, tanks, air planes and troops to aid the Nationalist. The Spanish Civil war became a weapons testing ground for the Axis Powers of WWII.

Support from the outside Non-government groups sent aid  Ford, Texaco, Firestone, and General Motors sent tires, trucks, etc.

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

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

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--

Picasso Picasso was a supporter of the Republican Party and disliked Franco and his Fascist party, who was supported by the Nazis. Made a series of prints leading up to his masterpiece Guernica which expressed his dislike of Franco. Guernica was shown throughout the world to protest war  Picasso said that it should not return to Spain until after Franco’s death

Child refugees from Spain

The civil war lasted three years, the Republicans could not defeat the Nationalist Franco’s professional army.  500, ,000 people lost their lives Franco became Spain’s dictator.

Lessons Learned (that lead to WWII) -Hitler learns Britain and France were not prepared to oppose aggressive military action -Stalin feels Britain and France may not honor the Locarno Pact and aid Soviet Union if Hitler attacks - helps push Stalin to sign Non-Aggression Pact with Hitler in mid Italy and Germany closer together

Franco remained neutral during WWII, so Spain did not go through the devastation of World War II. Franco died in 1975.

Credits this PowerPoint was adapted from one created by Mrs. Sigrid Olsen at Sprague High School in Salem, OR: nks.php