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Firts Steps
Like I wrote before on the timeline of the second republic, the war started on the 17 of July. But it was a true war in the 21 July, when Spain was divided into two zones defended by two sides 1. Rebels, nationalist side: they held about the third part of the country, northern, central and western areas including the main cereal production 2. Loyal, republican side: they kept control of the major industrial centres, the government entrusted an improvised and inexperienced army of volunteers. -
Allies and International Agreements
On 1 August 1936, a Non-Intervention Agreement was signed by twenty-seven countries. Support for the nationalists: Fascist Germany and Italy soon ignored the agreement and aid quickly in the early days. France and Britain: overlooked. Hitler brought the Condor Legion. Mussolini more men. Support for the Republic: Soviet Union ignored the agreement, they send military support in exchange for gold (operation X) The Comintern call for volunteers to fight fascism thousands of people join Republic -
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Military developments
General Franco leads the African troops (supported by the condor legion and Mussolini men) from the south and General Mola commands from the north. By September, Francoist troops take Badajoz, Mola troops take Gipuzkoa. Later, Franco turns his army south to Toledo where the Nationalist soldiers win a symbolic victory. On November the nationalist troops reach the capital Madrid. The Government decided to evacuate and head to Valencia. The Republicans resist thanks to the international aid. -
Nothern front: GERNIKA
April 1937. Nationalist troops gain a decisive victory in Bizcaia, thanks to the allied bombing in Gernika. In spite of the Republican offensive in Aragon to slow down the Nationalist advance, the strategic heavy iindustry and mining zones of Cantabria and Asturias are also taken. At the same time, Franco ordered the amalgamation of the rightidt political groups, including the Falange, Carlistas and Renovacion Española, into one party, FET y de las JONS, known as "Movimiento Nacional" -
Barcelona May Days REVOLUTION or VICTORY
The two sides ( POUM and PCE) 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. On October 38 these hopes vanished when the International Brigades were dismissed as a consequence of Stalin´s friendship. -
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Battles of Teruel and Ebro
Battle of Teruel: December 37 to February 38. Nationalist gain a strategic victory that allows them to advance towards the Mediterranean. The Republican zone is now cut in two and Cataluña is isolated.
Battle of Ebro: July to November 38. The Republican government launch an all-out campaign to reconnect their territory. It fails and Franco deploys mass forces to invade Cataluña. His troops enter on 26 January 39. Only Madrid, Valencia and a few others remain for the Republic. -
RECOGNISED
Franco´s government was recognised by France and Britain. The Vatican followed suit. National Catholicism, the ideological identity of Francoism, was established. -
Civil War within the Civil War. THE END
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.
The end, the Nationalist start a general offensive, they occupy 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. -
VICTORY
Franco Proclaims victory on 1 April. Franco´s victory Military parade in Maadrid
