The National Government Foreign Affairs: The Spanish Civil War.

The Republicans (left wing) Communists Anyone against Fascism (e.g. Jews) Anarchists Regional Separationists Left Wingers Trade Unions Anti-clericalists Foreign Volunteers from 53 nations (The International Brigade) The USSR Mexico

The Nationalists (right wing) Fascists Anyone against Communism Right Wingers Catholics Monarchists Foreign Volunteers (although far fewer than for the Republicans) Germany Italy Portugal

What was it? In 1936, General Francisco Franco (right wing) lead a rebellion of Nationalists, claiming to represent Catholic, conservative, anti-Communist Spain, against the ruling Republican (left wing) government. This developed into a civil war between the two sides. Both sides were determined to fight for their beliefs, and both sides committed atrocities against civilians.

Why did it start? For a variety of reasons some military, some religious, some political. The power and wealth of the Catholic Church was greatly resented by many. It was closely identified with the wealthy classes and was seen as an enemy of change. However, it had a strong following in the countryside where religious devotion was strong. The Republican government separated Church and State (thus diminishing church power), dissolved monasteries, banned Jesuits, and legalised divorce. This angered staunch Catholics. The government also granted autonomy to the Basque region. This caused dissatisfaction amongst Spaniards who wanted a united Spain. The government forced many officers in the army to retire this was deeply resented. Although in 1933, a right wing government got into power and began to reverse these changes, it soon lost power again to another left-wing government in 1936. The army became alarmed at the power of the anarchists and socialists. Being staunch monarchists, they were worried at these developments. When a right wing politician was assassinated by a Republican, the military used this as an excuse to set about capturing Spain in a rebellion kicking off in Spanish Morocco on 17th July 1936. Both groups hurriedly prepared for war, collecting volunteers, and appealing for outside help. The war was about to begin.

Who got involved in it? In Spain, for a variety of different reasons, different people backed different sides

The National Government Foreign Affairs: The Spanish Civil War.

Catholics mainly backed the Nationalists, as Franco wanted to continue with the traditional Spanish Catholic culture. Their decisions were also in part fuelled by the republican governments anti-clericalism. They banned the Jesuits, and had in a previous 1934 uprising in Asturia, killed 100 clergy and burned down many churches and convents. Also, at the outbreak of Civil War, 7000 clergy had been killed by the republicans. Anti-Clericalists accordingly backed the Republicans, seeing them as a buffer against Catholicism. Anarchists backed the Republicans. Regional seperationalists (wanted The Basque part of Spain to have independence) fought for the Republicans Fascists fought for Franco against the Communists in Spain backing the Republicans. Any one violently anti-fascist (such as Jews) fought for the Republicans. The Communists, socialists and left wingers all fought for the Republicans. The army was much more split, but overall, especially in the officer ranks, backed Franco and the Nationalists.

Did any foreign nations take a hand? Almost all the other nations remained strictly neutral. However, a few countries got directly involved. The USSR backed the Republicans, as all the republicans were left wing, and many were Communists. They sent personnel, arms and supplies to the Republicans. However, they took all of Spains gold reserves to pay for it many republicans felt that Stalin was merely exploiting the War for only the USSRs good. Russia sent about 2500 men, 1000 planes and 900 tanks Mexico also backed the Republicans. Being under a strong Communist government at the time (Graham Greenes book The Power and the Glory is set in anti-clerical Communist Mexico), they backed the Republicans by giving them some aircraft and financial aid. Germany backed the Nationalists. As Hitler was fascist and so too were many of the Nationalists, he wanted to help them. Also, as by helping them he was helping the war against Communism, he was pleased as he hated Communism. He sent bomber squadrons to bomb Republican strongholds. This killed many people Picasso did such a painting of a raid by Hitlers Condor Legion of bomber pilots. This painting was of the notorious bombing of the city of Guernica. This killed many people eyewitnesses reported the bombs killing as many as 20 people at a time and wrecked the city completely. This was the first time that bombs had been used so effectively and proof that bomber planes were now a serious danger, unlike the minor danger they had been in the First World War. German aid totalled about 16,000 men, 200 tanks and 600 planes Italy also backed the Nationalists for pretty much the same reasons as Germany (they too were under a fascist government). Italy sent about 75,000 men, 150 tanks and 660 aircraft Both Hitler and Mussolini also got involved as they saw the war as a chance to test all their new weapons as a result of their remilitarisation to see how useful they were. The Portuguese also backed the Nationalists to a lesser degree, sending 20000 men to fight for Franco.

The National Government Foreign Affairs: The Spanish Civil War.

There were also volunteers on both sides. To many in Europe the Republicans stood for freedom, democracy and enlightenment against fascism. Accordingly, people volunteered to help fight against fascism. These volunteers were men from neutral countries as far off as England, The USA, China and Australia. They fought for whichever side they felt attached to. Often Communists or Trade Unionists, there were about 50000 in this International Brigade from 53 countries including the UK, the USA, Australia and Poland. A number of intellectuals were also fighting, such as Hemmingway and Orwell, who viewed the Civil War as the perfect arena for a fight to the death with fascism. However, these volunteers were often used by the Communists against other factions in the Republican army such as the anarchists there was not a united front. There were also some (although far fewer than for the Republicans) volunteers for the Nationalists. General Eoin ODuffy from Ireland led 700 volunteers. They were fighting to preserve Catholicism.

What was the stance of the British government? Britain perused a position of firm neutrality. Although the government was somewhat anti-Communist, they were desperate not to get involved in a War, especially with Public support for such a war at an all-time low following the King and Country debate at Oxford University. This stance made some, like Orwell, join up and fight as their government was doing nothing. The British and French governments declared policies of non-intervention. They did not get involved in the fighting themselves, but did not stop or punish their citizens if they joined either International Brigade, unlike countries such as Switzerland, who punished such offenders. 4000 British men fought for the Republicans. They did make very limited efforts to dissuade whole countries such as Germany and Portugal from backing either side, but to no success. Their and the Americans actions of non-intervention made it much more difficult for the Republicans to openly buy weapons, which hindered their efforts against Franco. Much of the public however was indeed worried by the flow of fascism, and was not so in favour of a Nationalist victory.

And the Americans didnt try to interfere in the war? No, not at all. At this time, the US was very much in favour of isolationism. Many Americans did sympathise with the Republicans, and quite a few volunteered for the International Brigade about 2500 joined up. However, the USA government did not favour the Republicans due to the strong Irish American lobby in the USA, who backed the Nationalists as fellow Catholics.

Was it really that clear-cut?

The National Government Foreign Affairs: The Spanish Civil War.

No. Because it wasnt as clear as it first appeared. It wasnt simply a fight for democracy against fascism. It was more complicated. Some volunteers were fighting for completely different reasons not everyone viewed it as a struggle for the right way of life, but merely a way of, for example, getting independence for their native Basque region. The Soviet Union was not seriously supporting its fellow Spanish Communists, instead merely cynically manipulating the situation. This caused some nationalists to become disheartened The moral stance that many of the Republicans, especially foreigners, often gave was that they were humane, and would not commit atrocities as the Nationalists had done. The problem with this was that when the Republicans did indeed commit atrocities, the Nationalists didnt look very different in terms of moral superiority. . The Left wing in Britain especially was between a rock and a hard place: they favoured collective security and disarmament, yet also wanted to help their fellow left-winger, antifascists, and the only way they seemed to be able to would be by force and so whichever policy they adopted, they would be accused of hypocrisy.

Who won and why? The Nationalists. On March the 28th 1939, following repeated blockades and bombings of Madrid; the Republicans raised the white flag of surrender: the Spanish Civil War was officially over, the Nationalists having won. The Nationalists won for several reasons both their strengths and their opponents weaknesses. Franco was an excellent field commander (hence his having been made general) whose skilled tactics greatly helped the Nationalists. The Republicans, on the other hand, did not have a very good military leader who knew Spain well. Franco had the support of the army, who were the most skilled fighters and best equipped. The Republicans had less well trained men, and were not so likely as to have such modern equipment. The Church supported Franco, meaning anyone devoutly Catholic supported Franco. Landowners and a lot of the rich supported Franco, therefore ensuring he had more food for his troops, and could get money for equipment, pay and so on. There was in total far more foreign support for the Nationalists than for the Republicans. The neutrality of Britain and France denied aid to the Republican Government, as the governments did not send soldiers or money. The neutrality also made it harder for the Republicans to purchase weapons. .. Franco skilfully held together the various Nationalist groups (religious people, Spanish Unionists, fascists, anti-Communists and Monarchists) whereas Republicans were bitterly divided between communists, socialists and anarchists, who often started fighting amongst each other. This made discipline much more difficult to maintain. As a result of the infighting, it was often just the Communists who were well equipped thanks to the USSR, who mainly supported the Communists and not the Republicans as a whole.

What is unusual about this war?

The National Government Foreign Affairs: The Spanish Civil War.

Theres a saying that history is always written by the winners - the winners always appear in the more favourable light. However, in this case, if anything the losers, the Republicans, are viewed more positively. This is for several reasons: The Nationalists were backed by Hitler and Mussolini Due to their subsequent hideous crimes against Jews; gypsies etc., anyone they associated with and backed appeared to share the same views. Due to this, the Republicans appeared more favourable, as they were fighting against murderous dictators prepared to commit genocide in Hitlers case. The atrocities committed in the War that everyone remembers were all Nationalist ones (e.g. bombing of Guernica) Most of the famous literature we have on the Spanish Civil War was written by proRepublicans such as George Orwell (Homage to Catalonia) and Ernest Hemmingway (For whom the Bell Tolls).

What did Spain do during the Second World War? Spain was under a far-right wing, fascist government, just like Italy and Germany at the beginning of World War 2. As the Germans and Itaians had helped Franco, it would have seemd only fair for him to help them and join these Axis Powers. However, Franco was determined to keep Spain out of the War. Just like neighbouring, and also right wing totalitarian Portugal, Spain remained firmly neutral throughout the War.