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start of the Spanish Civil War
Throughout Morocco and Spain military garrisons (aided, in places, by the Guardia Civil and the Falange) rose in revolt against the Republican Government. -
Gathering Arms
Prime Minister Giral appealed to the French Socialist Government (whose Prime Minister was Leon Blum) for arms supplies. General Francisco Franco sent emissaries to Hitler and Mussolini to ask for military aid and technical assistance. The nominal leader of the Rising, General Jose Sanjurjo, was killed when the aircraft bringing him from Portugal to Burgos crashed on take-off. -
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The siege of Alcazar
When it became apparent that the Rising in Madrid had failed, the Nationalist supporters in Toledo, which is 40 miles to the Southwest of the capital, occupied the Military Academy in the Alcazar fortress. The garrison was mainly drawn from the local Guardia Civil and Falange, and was commanded by the Commandant of the Academy, Colonel Jose Moscardo. For two months the defenders held out against the Republican Militia units besieging them; they were finally relieved when African troops arrived. -
Government ends weaponry sales
The French Government changed its attitude towards Republican Spain and stopped further sales of arms and ammunition. This marked the beginning of the Non-Intervention Policy. -
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THE ADVANCE ON THE MEDITERRANEAN COAST
With the failure of the Republican attack upon Teruel the Nationalists were now able to mount an offensive eastwards into on Aragon and Levante. The intention was to cut Republican Spain into two parts. The assault, which was led by General Fidel Davila, began on 9th March and by 16th March the Nationalists had forced the Republicans to retreat up to 60 miles in places. Lerida, in Catalonia, surrendered to the Nationalists on 3rd April -
The war ends
General Franco announced that the war was over.