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The start of the civil war
There was a tense atmosphere and street violence between politically adverse groups.
One day a socialist sympathiser was murdered by a right-wing deputy and for reveng the following day some of castillo's colleagues killed the right-wing deputy Calvo Stotelo the following day. -
The death of José Castillo and José Calvo Sotelo
One day a socialist sympathiser was murdered by a right-wing deputy and for reveng the following day some of castillo's colleagues killed the right-wing deputy Calvo Stotelo the following day. -
July 17
The uprising began in Morocco. The army of Africa is the most prepared. Its support for the rebels is decisive -
July 18
Francisco Franco declares a state of war and arrives in Morocco to take control of the troops. -
July 19
The uprising is defeated in Madrid and Barcelona. Pais Vasco, Cataluña and Valencia remain loyal to the government. -
General Sanjurjo's death
At the beginning of the rebellion, a military council was in charge of the rising. The coup leader General Sanjurjo was killed in a plane crash on 20 July, leaving the command split between General Mola in the north, and General Franco in the south. Mola died in another plane crash while the campaign in the north was in progress. -
African troops are airlifted
Hitler and Mussolini provide Franco with planes to carry out the first major military airlift of troops from Africa to Sevilla -
Revolution or victory
In September 1936, Francisco Largo Caballero formed a coalition government in Valencia to unify the Republic and lead the disorganised army. The communists were the most divided group: . On one side, Pro-Trotsky. Marxist POUM , anarchists from the CNT and FAI believed that the war made it possible to start a revolution. . On the other side, the PCE . who were pro-Stalinist, believed that victory was the most important thing. The PCE and PSUC joined together. -
Objective Madrid
General Franco leads the African troops from the south and general Mola commands the army from the North. The Francoist troops take Badajoz and arrive in the tajo valley. Mola's troops in the North take Gipuzkoa and close the French border to the Republicans -
Franco's consolidation of power
Rebel leaders appointed General Franco supreme commander of the Nationalist forces, and 'Head of the Spanish State'. Franco was the strongest candidate since he had the support of the monarchists and a good relationship with Hitler and Mussolini. The Nationalist government was established in Burgos. -
Nationalist Victory in Toledo
Franco turns his army south to toledo where the nationalist soldiers are resisting the Republican siege in the Alcázar. Franco's troops win a symbolic victory -
The battle for Madrid
Nationalist troops reach the capital. The government decides to evacuate Madrid and head to Valencia. International aid arrives in time and the Republicans resist. The Nationalists besiege Madrid for much of the war. -
Italy and Germany recognised Franco's government
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The Northern Front
The Gernika bombing helped the Nationalists gain a decisive victory in Bizcaia. In spite of the Republican offensive in Aragón to slow down the Nationalist advance, the strategic heavy industry and mining zones of cantabria and Asturias are also taken -
FET y de las JONS
Franco ordered the amalgamation of the right political groups, including the Falange Carlistas and Renovación Española, into one party, Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las juntas de Ofensiva Nacional Sindicalista, known as Movimiento Nacional, with himself as Caudillo, One part of the Falange was opposed to this, but it was severely repressed. A one-party state was established -
Barcelona May days
In May 1937, the two sides confronted each other on the streets of Barcelona. The Barcelona May Days brought about the fall of Largo Caballero. Juan Negrín, backed by Soviet advisors, was named president of the new government. POUM was declared illegal. From then on, the slogan was 'resist to win', in the hopes that the imminent European war would soon bring allies. -
Spanish bishops publicly endorsed the Movimiento Nacional.
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The battle of Teruel
From December 1937 to February 1938. It he biterest battles of the war. Nationalists gain a strategic victory that allows them to advance towards the Mediterranean. The Republican zone is now cut in two and Cataluña is isolated -
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The Battle of the Ebro
From July to November The Republican government launches an all-out campaign to reconnect their territory. It fails and Franco deploys mass forces to invade Cataluña. His troops enter Barcelona on 26 January, 1939. Only Madrid, Valencia and a few other strongholds remain for the Republican forces -
International Brigades dismised
In October 1938 these hopes vanished when the International Brigades were dismissed as a consequence of Stalin's friendship with Germany. -
France's government was recognised by France and Britain.
The Vatican followed su National Catholicism, the ideological identity of Francoism, was established. -
Civil war within the Civil War
In March 1939, a plot within the Republican Army causes the government in Valencia to fall.
A National Council of Defence is formed to negotiate a peace deal. Franco only accepts an unconditional surrender. Juan Negrín, the president of the government, flees to France. -
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The end of the war
The Nationalists start a general offensive. On 28 March, they occupy Madrid and by 31 March, they control all Spanish territory. The Republican forces surrender. Franco proclaims victory on 1 April.
