http:
TRANSCRIPT
Relatively unknown war,curtain-raiser, overshadowed by WW2
Only European civil war between Russian and Yugoslavian wars As savage as any
Inspiration for a generation International Brigades
Politicised artists and intellectualsN
Books, Art Poetry Film
2
Spanish History from 1898-19311873-4 – 1st Republic 1875-1923 – Constitutional Monarchy of
Alfonso XII and XIII 1898 – Spain loses war and last colonies to
USA. Sense of disillusionment and need for national regeneration
1917-23 – growing political and social unrest through Spain
1921 – military defeat in Morocco 3
Spanish History from 1898-19311923 – Coup [Pronunciamento] by Primo de Rivera
(with royal assent), ‘temporary dictatorship’ 1923-30
1930 – fall of Primo, pressing need for return to representative government
1930 – Pact of San Sebastian, alliance of republican and socialist parties
1930 – December, failed republican military revolt
1931 – April, municipal elections, flight of Alfonso, proclamation of Republic
4
The dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, 1923-30
Achievements Public works and modernisation Conciliated socialists Won Moroccan War Some prosperity
Problems Censorship and Repression Economic effects of Depression Opposition from interest groups Growth of Republicanism
5
Spanish SocietySpain still predominantly a backward, agrarian
society, riddled with injustice Ruling classes – rural and urban aristocracy,
landowners + industrialists Relatively small professional middle-class, little
economic power Petit-bourgeoisie, artisans, shopkeepers Industrial workers, only certain areas Tenant-farmers, controlled by landlords Landless agricultural labourers
6
The Second Republic2nd Republic brought an air of hope, a new
beginning and more open , honest government
Many Spaniards would have subscribed to programme of reform: new constitution, Church + education, conditions of rural and industrial workers, general injustice
But characterised by ever increasing political + social polarisation
What went wrong? 7
The 2nd Republic – forces and influences on the Right – Tradition + vested interest
The Monarchy Landlords + and landowners Industrial wealth The Catholic Church - education The Armed Forces – order+ centralisation Carlism - 19thC reactionary movement Fascism - 20thC movement incorporating
violence + social rhetoric 8
Parties of the RightCEDA - Confederation of right-wing Catholic
groups, some govt posts 1933-5 JONS - fascist group, fused with other
fascist party, Falange in 1934 FET - single party created by Franco in
1937
9
The 2nd Republic - forces and influences on the Left - social justice + progress
The Republic Land reform, tenant farmers + workers Industrial workers + unions Anti-clericalism – freedom of thought Regional autonomy, Catalonia + Basque Civil rights + womens’ rights, freedom of the
press The Left were a strong force in opposition
but too fragmented in victory 10
Organisations of the LeftUGT - (1882) socialist trade-unionCNT - (1910) Trade Union with anarchist
affiliations FNTT -agricultural worker’s union Communist Party (PCE) - very small before
1936, changed from being revolutionary to supporters of democracy
POUM - anti-Stalinist communist party in Catalonia
11
The 2nd Republic 1931-361931-June, General Election for Cortes,
overwhelming victory for Republicans and parties of the Left
Parties of the Right in disarray, legacy of old regime
1931-3, Series of left-wing coalition governments attempted reforms
1933-5, right-wing in power, reversing reforms and protecting ruling classes
1936, return of leftist alliancemilitary coup and 3 year civil war
12
Features of the 2nd RepublicDivisions between parties within left + right European background, rise of fascism and
communism provided an atmosphere and rhetoric of fear + violence
New parties on right, CEDA and Falange Escalating cycle of polarisation as both
sides pursued all out victory rather than compromise
13
1st Phase, 1931-3 - the Left RepublicNot a liberal revolution in 19thC fashion Needed Socialist involvement Attempted land reforms, resisted Strong anti-clerical measures – alienated many
possible supporters Army reformsSuppression of union and anarchist troubles to
defend law + order Impatience of far left with slow results New extreme right parties – JONS, CEDA,
Falange 14
2nd Phase,1933-5 - The Right Republic‘bienio negro’
Systematic reversal of reforms Ambiguous attitude of supporters to the
Republic Gil Robles, CEDA leader - Minister of War Rising wave of workers’ protests + strikes –
brutal suppression (e.g. Franco in Asturias)
Popular Front – parties of left unite for election
15
3rd Phase Feb-July 36 - Build up to war
Feb - first evenly contested election, victory for Popular Front (narrow in votes)
Azaña President, but Socialists under Largo Caballero (‘Spanish Lenin’) stay out of govt
Growing violence/unrest - workers want reforms, extreme right destabilising govt Land occupations, strikes and church burnings
Break down of law + order, political assassinations, Right plots military coup
July 13 Calvo Sotelo killed – 17/18 coup begins
16
Civil War - the early days, July-September
July 17 - First rebel moves in Morocco (Franco) + Canary Islands
Pattern repeated by army garrisons across Spain, mixed success
July 22, rebels expected to be in charge Spain divided into 2 quite even camps Stalemate - negotiated peace or military
victory 17
Why did the rebellion fail?Indecision + lack of co-ordination Military and police stayed loyal to Republic
in many areas Spontaneous resistance by ordinary
Spanish (mostly workers)
Barcelona + Madrid, workers were armed and formed militia
18
The Balance of Power - the RepublicBig share of Navy + Air Force, half Army &
Civil/ Assault GuardsMain industrial areas Gold + silver reserves + export crops Legal status as legitimate government to buy
arms and call for aid from sympathetic powers Republic support embraced a very wide
political spectrum who found it difficult to co-exist and who were often keen to pursue own goals
19
The Balance of Power - the rebelsBacking of private wealth + traditional
institutions like the Church Army of Africa under Franco, crack troops Active early support from Italy and
Germany (set up through Franco) Food producing areasSupport from Portugal
20
Developments in the RepublicWorker resistance led to real social
revolution in some areas Loss of government authority in many areas
- some atrocities against right Socialist govt led by Largo CaballeroSocialists become more left-wing,
involvement of Anarchists – divisions within government
Call for help to Soviet Union, Comintern organises International Brigades
Heroic defence of Madrid, "no paseran" 21
Developments in rebel-held SpainItalian + German aid Franco’s army into Spain,
steady advance into Republican territory Rise of General Franco to political and military
supremacy - meteoric, based on military skills + lack of rivals
28 Sept - Franco accepts positions of Generalissimo + Head of New State
Imposes control + unity in Nationalist Spain Systematic massacres of Republican
supporters 22
Attitudes of Foreign PowersNon-intervention agreed (July-August 1936)Franco was receiving open aid from Italy +
Germany Republic should have expected some
support from other democracies France + Britain - Why did this not happen?
Only Russia offers any support Need to look at European situation,
democracy in crisis, economic problems - rise of extreme political movements
23
Attitudes of Foreign Powers - France
France - own Popular Front govt (Blum) and left-right tensions like Spain
Early sympathy, then threats from right “better Hitler than Blum”
Cabinet splits put own reforms in doubt Pressure from Britain Not swayed by real threat of being
surrounded by fascist powers 24
Attitudes of Foreign Powers - Britain
Conservative govt, Baldwin: policy of appeasement to avoid another war
Fear of upsetting Hitler while also trying to woo Mussolini away from Hitler
Fear of war spreading into rest of Europe Sympathy for Nationalist cause and
expectation of victory Pre-occupation with abdication crisis of
Edward VIII + Mrs Simpson ! 25
Attitudes of Foreign Powers - RussiaRise of Fascism first viewed as death-throes
of capitalism + fore-runner of communist revolution
But Hitler seen as threat to Russia – need to resist fascism, so revised foreign policy
So co-operation with democracies + Popular Front movements supported
Support for Spanish Republic through CP but with strings attached
26
Russian Influence on the RepublicUSSR wanted bolstering of its ally France
more than promotion of Communist revolution in Spain – feared Nationalist Spain would weaken alliance.
The Republic’s dilemma… For many on the left, the social revolution was the
real reason to fight Franco and the only motivation for the peasants + workers to fight
For the moderates success could only be achieved by restoring government authority and proper military discipline 27
Russia and the Republic - positiveRussia supplied much equipment and also
advisers but not manpower International BrigadesThe Popular Army replaced the militias,
more conventional/disciplined Attracted more middle classes to
Republican cause Delayed defeat of Republic
28
Russia and the Republic - negativeRussia’s main aims -
Aid through CP to increase its power Bolster the democratic republic Stifle any social revolution - not in plan CP secret police + suppression of other left
parties killed the Republic’s spirit (Barcelona Days ) - civil war within the Civil War
29
Russia and the Republic - negativeDelay Nationalist victory until outbreak of
European war Part of overall strategy to protect Russia
against Hitler After Munich agreement, Stalin gave up hope
of war in Europe and abandoned the Republic Russian policy cynical + opportunistic, never
to win the war, but to delay victory of Nationalists
30
Main Events of the War - 1936
July - rebel military rising, German and Italian aid
Steady Nationalist advance:Irun, Toledo, San Sebastian
Oct - Franco head of Nationalist state
Nov - Republic holds Madrid,Russian aid + International Brigades, Republican government moves to Valencia
31
Main Events of the War-1937Feb-March - Fall of Malaga, Battles of
Jarama + Guadalajara April - Franco unifies Falange + Carlists in
FET, Germans bomb Guernica May – ‘Civil war within the Civil War’, CP
takes control, Barcelona Negrin replaces Largo Caballero as Rep PM,
Oct govt moves to Barcelona Fall of Basques and North coast Dec - Rep offensive at Teruel
32
Main Events of the War, 1938-9Feb - Nationalists recapture Teruel April - Rep govt changes, Nationalists reach
Mediterranean coast cutting Republican zone in two
July-Nov - Battle of Ebro – final, epic Republican fling turns into defeat
Dec 38-Feb39 – Nationalists advance into final Republican stronghold, Catalonia
March - fall of Madrid + central Spain April 1st - Franco declares end of war
33
Why Did Franco Win?Quantity + quality of German + Italian aid, few
strings attached. Air supremacy by 1937/8 and crucial in July 1936.
Experienced military force – Army of AfricaEnforced political + military unity
Franco head of state and Commander in chiefFalange and Carlists incorporated
Franco - steady if undramatic military successGood defensive tactics but also successful offensives
Controlled food producing areas34
Why did the Republic Lose?Political divisions throughout the warProblems of militiasIndependent FrontsLack of trained junior officersNorth cut off from rest of RepublicFarce of non-intervention - European
picture Russian + CP power in Republic leads to
demoralisation in Rep areas Food shortages
35