The Spanish Civil War

The Spanish Civil War

1936-1939

Background• 1921 --> Spain in crisis.• Coup d'etat by Primo de Rivera: sets up a

dictatorship to reestablish the economy in Spain.

• When economic crisis hits Spain in 1930 --> Primo resigns as leader: republic proclaimed.

• Only delayed inevitable slaughter due to underlying tensions in Spain.

Map of Spain: Spanish Civil War October 1936

Underlying Tensions: Causes of the Civil War in 1936

• Catalonia & Basque provinces wanted independance.

• Army had too much power over politics of country.

• Lots of strikes and revolts (January 33' Barcelona: Anarchist movement).

• Conflicts between Left wingers (Republicans) and Right wingers (Nationalists): Popular Front vs. Popular Action.

• Popular front won the elections in February 1936.

Civil War Begins: 17th July 1936

• At first the rebellion's goal was simply to overthrow the government: it was the eviction of the Popular Front of power.

• Rebellion developed into civil war because government controlled the garrisons in Madrid and Barcelona area

Main events 1936 - 1939

• 17 July 1936: War starts. Rebellion lead by: General Franco.

• 18 Nov. 1936: Germany and Italy recognize Franco's Governement.

• 26 April 1937: Guernica • 28 Nov 1937: Franco blockades Spanish Coast.• 1938: War takes a turn for the Nationalists

(Franco).• 27 Feb 1939: Britain and France recognize

Franco's government.• 28 Feb - 28 March 1939: Fall of Republican

regime.

Guernica, Picasso: May- June 1937

Guernica• Small town in Basque country (Northern

Spain)• Suffered massive aerial bombardement

('terror bombing') by the German Luftwaffe, who were aiding the Francists

• Records regarding how many were killed are sketchy... (round it up to about 1000 people died)

• Very violent: not much was left after the attack. Picasso encapsulated the idea of the population's suffering in his painting.

German involvement in the War.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuhQfEGivtY

Youtube link to an insight into the Spanish Civil War.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSfnOKXDn_0

Hugh Thomas: A writer on the subject (1961 book was written)

• Hugh Thomas: Historian • Best seller: Wrote about

the Spanish Civil War and its horrors, how the civilians lived through it.

• Shows Hitler's and Franco's complicity.

(http://books.google.fr/books/about/The_Spanish_Civil_War.html?id=UoNpAAAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y)