why did the spanish civil war occur

What were the root causes of the Spanish Civil War?

What were the Root Causes of the Spanish Civil War

• The Failure of Spanish Government. Spain had been neutral during the First World War. ...
• Second Republic. A new constitution was introduced in 1931 ad it was a liberal document that guaranteed human rights and basic freedoms.
• Countdown to Civil War. ...

Why did America declare war on the Spanish?

What were the three main causes of the Spanish-American War?

• U.S. support of Cuba’s independence.
• To protect U.S. business interests in Cuba.
• Yellow Journalism.
• Sinking of the U.S.S. Maine.

Why did the Spanish Civil War become an international issue?

“Why did so many foreigners fight in the Spanish Civil War?” Because Spain was a significant nation in the 1930s and because the 1936 uprising involved conflicting ideologies with international impacts and implications, it was hardly surprising that the conflict would draw international participation.

Why did Spain help Americans during the Revolutionary War?

The best benefit that the patriots received from Spain and France during the Revolutionary War was the fact that the Americans were not having to fight alone. Spain and France supplied financial help during the war and provided a morale boost to the Americans who thought that the prospects for independence were dim.

Why did the Spanish Civil War break out and how did it end?

In January 1939, its capital, Barcelona, was captured, and soon after, the rest of Catalonia fell. With the Republican cause all but lost, its leaders attempted to negotiate a peace, but Franco refused. On March 28, 1939, the Republicans finally surrendered Madrid, bringing the Spanish Civil War to an end.

Why did the Spanish revolution happen?

Due to the international political climate at the time, the war had many facets and was variously viewed as class struggle, a religious struggle, a struggle between dictatorship and republican democracy, between revolution and counterrevolution, and between fascism and communism.

What were the 2 sides of the Spanish Civil War?

The left side, known as the Republicans, was formed by the Spanish government together with unions, communists, anarchists, workers, and peasants. On the other side were the Nationalists, the rebel part of the army, the bourgeoisie, the landlords, and, generally, the upper classes.

What led to the Spanish Civil War in 1936?

On July 18, 1936, troops under the leadership of General Francisco Franco began an uprising against the democratically elected government of Spain. This revolt quickly escalated into a civil war. The Spanish Civil War is sometimes called a prelude to World War II.

What were causes and effects of the Civil War?

What were the 4 main causes of the Civil War? The biggest cause of the Civil War was the humanitarian and economic issue of slavery. However, the four biggest factors of causation were slavery, states vs federal rights, economics, and the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860.

Why did Americans fight in the Spanish Civil War?

A few American men and women were so compelled by the danger of Fascism in Europe, and the immediate threat to the Spanish Republic, that they chose to defy these laws. Some 2,800 American volunteers formed the Abraham Lincoln Brigade and went secretly to Spain to fight on the side of the Republican army.

Who did US support in Spanish Civil War?

Although the U.S. government stayed neutral in the Spanish Civil War, about 2,800 Americans—many of whom had never before fired a gun—volunteered for the Republican cause.

Why were priests killed in the Spanish Civil War?

The Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War are the Catholic Church's term for the people killed by Republicans during the Spanish Civil War for their faith. More than 6,800 clergy and religious were killed in the Red Terror.

What were the causes of Spanish revolution of 1820?

The Spain revolution started when King Ferdinand VII followed reactionary policy. The reactionary policy was meant to restore a past status quo. Additionally, King Ferdinand VII's firm determination in restoring Spanish rule over against rebellious American colonies proved costly in lives and money and seemed hopeless.

What was the main purpose of Spanish missions?

Spanish missions were explicitly established for the purpose of religious conversion and instruction in the Catholic faith. However, the mission system actually served as the primary means of integrating Indians into the political and economic structure of Florida's colonial system.

What were the outcomes of the Spanish Revolution?

Spanish Revolution of 1936Spanish RevolutionMethodsWork place collectivization; political assassinationResulted inSuppressed after ten-month period.5 more rows

What was the outcome of the revolution?

After French assistance helped the Continental Army force the British surrender at Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781, the Americans had effectively won their independence, though fighting would not formally end until 1783.

What were the main causes of the Spanish Civil War?

The war was cast by Republican sympathisers as a struggle between tyranny and freedom, and by Nationalist supporters as communist and anarchist red hordes versus Christian civilisation. Nationalists also claimed they were bringing security and direction to an ungoverned and lawless country. Spanish politics, especially on the left, was quite fragmented: on the one hand socialists and communists supported the republic but on the other, during the republic, anarchists had mixed opinions, though both major groups opposed the Nationalists during the Civil War; the latter, in contrast, were united by their fervent opposition to the Republican government and presented a more unified front.

When was the Spanish Civil War?

For the history book by Hugh Thomas, see The Spanish Civil War (book). The Spanish Civil War ( Spanish: Guerra Civil Española) was a civil war in Spain fought from 1936 to 1939.

How many executions did Franco have in the first three months of the war?

The first three months of the war were the bloodiest, with 50 to 70 percent of all executions carried out by Franco's regime, from 1936 to 1975, occurring during this period. The first few months of killings lacked much in the way of centralisation, being largely in the hands of local commanders.

How much did the Spanish military spend during the Civil War?

During the Civil War the Nationalist and Republican military expenditures combined totalled some $3.89bn, on average $1.44bn annually. The overall Nationalist expenditures are calculated at $2.04bn, while the Republican ones reached ca. $1,85bn. In comparison, in 1936–1938 the French military expenditure totalled $0.87bn, the Italian ones reached $2.64bn, and the British ones stood at $4.13bn. As in the mid-1930s the Spanish GDP was much smaller than the Italian, French or British ones, and as in the Second Republic the annual defence and security budget was usually around $0,13bn (total annual governmental spendings were close to $0.65bn), wartime military expenditures put huge strain on the Spanish economy. Financing the war posed enormous challenge for both the Nationalists and the Republicans.

How did the Soviet Union help the Republicans?

Although General Secretary Joseph Stalin had signed the Non-Intervention Agreement, the Soviet Union contravened the League of Nations embargo by providing material assistance to the Republican forces, becoming their only source of major weapons. Unlike Hitler and Mussolini, Stalin tried to do this covertly. Estimates of material provided by the USSR to the Republicans vary between 634 and 806 aircraft, 331 and 362 tanks and 1,034 to 1,895 artillery pieces. Stalin also created Section X of the Soviet Union military to head the weapons shipment operation, called Operation X. Despite Stalin's interest in aiding the Republicans, the quality of arms was inconsistent. Many rifles and field guns provided were old, obsolete or otherwise of limited use (some dated back to the 1860s) but the T-26 and BT-5 tanks were modern and effective in combat. The Soviet Union supplied aircraft that were in current service with their own forces but the aircraft provided by Germany to the Nationalists proved superior by the end of the war.

What was the Spanish government like in the 19th century?

The 19th century was a turbulent time for Spain. Those in favour of reforming Spain's government vied for political power with conservatives, who tried to prevent reforms. Some liberals, in a tradition that started with the Spanish Constitution of 1812, sought to limit the power of the monarchy of Spain and to establish a liberal state. The reforms of 1812 were overturned when King Ferdinand VII dissolved the Constitution and ended the Trienio Liberal government. Twelve successful coups were carried out between 1814 and 1874. Until the 1850s, the economy of Spain was primarily based on agriculture. There was little development of a bourgeois industrial or commercial class. The land-based oligarchy remained powerful; a small number of people held large estates called latifundia as well as all the important government positions.

Why did the French government not send arms to the Republicans?

Fearing it might spark a civil war inside France, the leftist "Popular Front" government in France did not send direct support to the Republicans. French Prime Minister Léon Blum was sympathetic to the republic, fearing that the success of Nationalist forces in Spain would result in the creation of an ally state of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, an alliance that would nearly encircle France. Right-wing politicians opposed any aid and attacked the Blum government. In July 1936, British officials convinced Blum not to send arms to the Republicans and, on 27 July, the French government declared that it would not send military aid, technology or forces to assist the Republican forces. However, Blum made clear that France reserved the right to provide aid should it wish to the Republic: "We could have delivered arms to the Spanish Government [Republicans], a legitimate government... We have not done so, in order not to give an excuse to those who would be tempted to send arms to the rebels [Nationalists]."

How many people died in the Spanish Civil War?

What were the causes of the Spanish Civil War? Between 1936 and 1939 over 500,000 people were killed in the Spanish Civil War so this cannot be considered a ‘little’ war that was overshadowed by the problems that were occurring in Europe during these years. In 1920, Spain was a constitutional monarchy.

What was the danger of political infighting in Spain?

The wishes of the left alarmed those on the right and vice versa. Political infighting was in danger of pushing Spain into social revolution.

What did Rivera do to the Spanish economy?

He introduced public works schemes building roads and irrigating the land. Industrial production increased by three times from 1923 to1930. Rivera also ended the rebellion in Morocco in 1925. However, the Great Depression of the 1930’s hit Spain hard.

What happened to Spain in 1921?

However, the government was inefficient and corrupt. In 1921, an army was sent to Spanish Morocco to put down a rebellion. It was massacred but this defeat seemed to emphasise just how corrupt and incompetent Spain’s leadership was. In 1923, Spain experienced a bloodless coup when Alfonso agreed that General Primo de Rivera should take control ...

Why did Alfonso abdicate?

Alfonso decided to abdicate as he feared that if he stayed on, Spain would plummet into turmoil. Those victorious at the election then declared Spain a republic and monarchy was abolished.

How were the huge estates in Spain nationalised?

The huge estates in Spain were nationalised i.e. taken over by the government which would control what was done on them etc. The wages of those who worked in industry were increased but they were to be paid by the owners of those industries not by the government.

What was Spain's main export in the 1930s?

Spain was primarily an agricultural nation and the 1930’s Depression had hit prices for crops. Prime exports such as olive oil and wine fell in value and previously used agricultural land fell into disuse.

How many people died in the Spanish Civil War?

About 500,000 people died in the war, and all Spaniards were deeply scarred by the trauma. The war’s end brought a period of dictatorship that lasted until the mid-1970s. Nationalist troops in Irun, Spain, during the Spanish Civil War.

What happened in 1938 in Spain?

The two sides fought fierce and bloody skirmishes in a war of attrition. The Nationalist side gradually gained territory and by April 1938 succeeded in splitting Spain from east to west, causing 250,000 Republican forces to flee into France.

How many enemies did the Nationalists kill?

Both sides repressed opposition; together, they executed or assassinated more than 50,000 suspected enemies to their respective causes. Seeking aid from abroad, the Nationalists received troops, tanks, and planes from Nazi Germany and Italy, which used Spain as a testing ground for new methods of tank and air warfare.

What were the causes of the Spanish Civil War?

However, the main cause was all sides’ failure to compromise and to respect the rights and opinions of others. This meant that the Second Republic, could never provide a government that could bring stability and prosperity to the country. Political violence became endemic in the country as a consequence and it escalated until it became a full scale civil war.

Why did the left wing government believe that the military was too far away from Spain?

The left-wing government believed that the military was too far away from Spain because the government was losing control of the situation and there was fighting between the Falange militia and the police on the streets of several cities, result ing in many deaths. Then the Spanish Army Generals, led by General Franco, launched a coup, they managed to fly their forces, with the assistance of the German government to Spain. The arrival of regular Spanish units from Morocco on the Spanish mainland was the trigger for an all-out war that was to ‘leave half-a-million people dead.’

What was the Spanish government like in 1930?

By 1930, Spain was bitterly divided on social and ideological lines. Spain was and is a diverse society. There are many areas of the country with strong regional or national identities. Many of the regions in Spain, such as the Catalans, demanded more autonomy or even outright independence from Madrid, such as the Basques. The tensions between the regions and the central government meant that the country was inherently unstable, as compromise was impossibly, between the parties.

What was the reaction of the Falange militia?

In response right-wing extremists such as the Falange militia began a violent campaign against the left-wing government. The right could not accept that the Left was the legitimate governments and believed that they were entitled to use violence means to secure their position and interests.

What was the result of the 1936 Spanish election?

A weakened government eventually collapsed and new elections were called for 1936. The General Election saw a victory for a left-wing alliance of parties, including Communists, Anarchists and Socialists. This government was also supported by regional parties. They immediately launched an ambitious program of reforms, especially land reform to meet the ‘expectations of the urban and rural poor’, that antagonize many in the Spanish elite. Many Spaniards believed that a communist revolution was imminent.

What happened in Spain in 1936?

There began a series of political assassinations. The right openly called for the military to stage a coup to oust the left wing government, which some saw as only the puppets of the Soviet Union. Much of the Spanish Army was stationed in the country’s last colonies in Morocco.

Was Spain a monarchy?

Once a great power, Spain lost almost the last of its colonies after it defeat in the Spanish-American war. It was technically a monarchy, but power had frequently been in the hands of military dictators. The country was bitterly divided. The acute poverty of the Spanish people meant that many were drawn to Communism, Anarchism and Socialism. These ideologies call for popular governments and the re-distribution of resources, such as land and wealth.

Who was the redentor of Spain?

Later, in exile, Casado claimed that he had intended to be the redentor (redeemer) of Spain. The Republic’s senior military strategist, General Vicente Rojo, commented: “He [Casado] is the most political and most crooked and fainthearted of the career officers in the Republican ranks.”.

How long did it take for Casado to defeat the communists?

After six days of fighting (during which Franco granted a temporary truce to facilitate Casado’s victory), the Communists were defeated. This marked the end of the Republic’s cause: the coup, the loss of the fleet and finally the elimination of the Communists removed the most powerful cards that could be used by the Republic in any negotiations with Franco.

What did Casado offer to the Anarchists?

The most substantial support garnered by Casado, though, was among the anarchists, to whom he promised a more violent war effort. They were blinded to the intentions of both Franco and Casado by their resentment of the Communist Party (PCE) and of Negrín for blocking their revolutionary ambitions and imposing a centralised war effort. They blamed them for every military reverse from the time of the Ebro retreat onwards, thereby ignoring the international situation and the extent to which the war effort had been undermined by the sabotage of professional officers – and, indeed, by the activities of extremists within the anarchist movement.

What did Casado threaten to do?

Casado threatened to arrest and shoot the prime minister and his cabinet , and the devastated Negrín made the decision for the government to go into exile. His final declaration pointed out that there was no fundamental discrepancy between the junta’s proclaimed objectives and the government’s commitment to a peace settlement without reprisals.

What did Casado call for?

Shortly before leaving Valencia, Casado made a radio broadcast at the request of the Falange – the Spanish fascist party that supplied much of the rank and file of the Nationalist forces – calling for calm and claiming to have secured “an honourable peace without bloodshed”.

When did Casado attempt to negotiate a peace deal with Franco?

Having launched a coup to depose Negrín in March 1939, Casado tried to negotiate a peace settlement with Franco; when that failed, his junta fled to London.

Who was the commander of the Republican Army in the central zone towards the end of the war?

Commander of the Republican Army in the central zone towards the end of the war, Miaja supported Casado’s coup and became president of Casado’s junta. This article first appeared in issue 15 of BBC World Histories magazine.

Overview

Atrocities

Background

Military coup

Combatants

Foreign involvement

Course of the war

Evacuation of children