SCWConduct

People

The Nationalists Gen. Fransisco Franco

Leader of Moroccan troops – very competent Hated by Left for role in Asturian revolt Was sent to Canary islands as an internal exile

by Popular front gov.

Gen. Mola Nominally senior to Franco, second only to

Sanjurjo among plotters

Republicans Largo Caballero

Replaced giral as PM, also became War minister

Juan Negrin Made PM in may 1937, tool of Communists

Manuel Azana President at start of war, lacked any real

authority

Andres Nin Leader of POUM, jailed and executed by gov

after may revolt

Luis Companys Catalonian leader – formed coalition of POUM

and CNT

Indalecio Prieto Socialist leader rival of Caballero

Foreigners Hugo Sperrle

Comander of Condor Legion Wolfram von Richthofen

Sperrle’s Chief of staff Vladimir Antonov-Ovseenko

Soviet consul general to Republicans George Orwell

Most famous member of International Brigades

The beginning July 17th several Generals attempt a coup

against government In response to actions of the Popular front

government and political assassinations

Franco in Canary Islands Flies to Morocco Assumes command of Spanish army there

including the feared Riffians

The coup fails Many garrisons refuse to participate Anarchist, marxist and militias defeat rebels

in Barcelona, Madrid and in southeast Republican govt initially hesitant to give arms to

militias because of radical activities Navy remains under Republican control

Franco’s army stuck in Morocco Coup leader Sanjurjo killed in plane crash

Areas of control July 1936

Atrocities As many as 50,000 people killed as each

side kills the supporters of the other side Militias on each side responsible for most of

killings on republican side Anti-clerical violence is the most reported Has very negative impact on support for

republicans outside of Spain

Carlists and Falangists killed more people

Foreign involvement Franco unable to move troops from Africa

appeals to Hitler and Mussolini Airlift begins in late July

France stops arms sales to Republicans Aug 28

Non-intervention policy begins Nominally accepted by Ger., Itl. and Port. Some in British govt fear communist influence

Reasons for non-intervention GB

Fear of communists and anarchists Many in British gov think nationalist victory would be

better Don’t want to spark confrontation with Ger. And Italy

France Many of the same domestic political probs as Spain – fear

of rightwing revolt Following GB lead in international affairs

Russian officials arrive in Madrid Aug. 27 Equipment from Ger., It. and USSR used by

both sides by Oct. Condor Legion formed in Nov. International Brigades aid in defense of Madrid

Nov

International Brigades Idea of French Communist party leader Organized by Comintern Volunteers from Communist parties around

the world Brigades from all over the world

2 from US Orwell part of British brigade

Withdrawn in Nov 1938

Consolidation of leadership for the Nationalists

Sanjurjo killed in Plane crash Jose Primo de Rivera executed in nov 1937

Leader of Falange Was in prison at beginning of war

Carlists join rebellion early on, form own militias FET formed by Franco in April of 1937

Mola killed in Plane crash in June 3 1937- last rival to Franco

Franco assumes control as sole leader of Nationalists in Oct 1937

Division among the Republicans

Largo Caballero finally made PM in sept 1936 Basques form own Government Anarchists control Generalidad in Barcelona Communists demand positions in Government

for Russian aid Spanish gold reserves sent to USSR for safe

keeping

Nationalist offensive against Madrid

Franco aims for a quick end Nov 1936 Moroccan troops under Yague storm from SW to

outskirts of Madrid Several Southern cities fall to Nationalists Stand off at Toledo relief of Alcazar by

Nationalists Republican Forces Hold Firm, Mostly Union

Militias, and International brigades

Nov 1936

Franco takes his time

Reorganizes Army Decides to take territory a little at a time Moves to the North to secure access to mines Condor Legion tries out new Tactics on

Guernica in April 1937

April 1937

Crisis in Barcelona May 1937

Communists demand central authority Telephone exchange in Barcelona taken by

Communists Fighting breaks out between Anarchist militia

units and Communist controlled army units Anarchists crushed

Republican offensives

Assault upon Brunette successful Attack on Teruel not

Communist’s war 1937-1938

Caballero ousted May 17 Dr Jose Negrin forms Government with majority

of Communist ministers Secret police formed to root out oppsition POUM leaders arrested Supplies only given to Communist officers Republican Capitol moved to Barcelona

Crumbling of the Republic

Mar 1938 Nationalist offensive in Aragon drives to Med by Apr 15

Republic split, tries offensive along Ebro River but held back

Stalin getting nervous about Hitler, Russian support wanes

International Brigades withdrawn in Nov

August 1938

Fall of Barcelona

Nationalist offensive begins in Dec 1938 Barcelona captured by Jan 26th 1939

Surrender of Madrid

Communists ousted from Republican Government Mar 10

Negotiations for term fail Last loyal units surrender Mar 31,1939

Results 600,000 dead

Franco Signs Five year friendship treaty with Hitler, stays neutral during war

Purges of suspected Republican Supporters kill as many as 200,000

Guerrilla warfare lasts for several years All separatist movements crushed, totalitarian

regime established until 1975 when Franco dies.

Fundamental Issues Why, despite its achievements, did the

Second Republic prove so unstable? Could democracy have survived or was it

doomed from the start? Was a dictatorship the only form of

government possible in a society so divided?

Was it primarily a domestic civil war, or an international war?

Would there have been a civil war without the international involvement?

If it was primarily a DOMESTIC CIVIL WAR, what sort of war was it? Between the right and left? Between communism and fascism? Over the form of government, democracy or

dictatorship, republic or monarchy? Regionalists war? Religious war?

Or a combination of these with people taking the opportunity to vent their grievances, whatever they may be?

If it was primarily an international war, why did countries choose to involve themselves, or not, as the case may be?

Were there ideological principles or national interests that determined their course of action?

Was it a chance for the European powers to rehearse their positions and test their weapons prior to the greater conflict to come?

Military significance Airpower

First use of air tranport to move army- tremendous boost to Nationalists

Guernica – very influential although overblown- more propaganda than reality

Germans became overconfident on abilities of Luftwaffe – don’t develop strategic bombers

Provides impetus for the development of RAF defenses – Radar and Spitfire developed

Italian soldiers perform very poorly as many as 60,000 Italian “volunteers” serve in Spain

Both SU and Germany gain technical knowledge on mechanized and air warfare

German and Soviet limit personal to technical advisors or pilots –they gain experience – served as training ground

International impact USSR decides it cant trust Western LDs

Forms Non-aggression pact with Germany Felt that West was trying to drive Hitler against

USSR Gave up on cooperation with west

Germany and Italy drawn closer together Form Pact of Steel aka Rome-Berlin Axis