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Popular Front won national elections
Azana was appointed president of Spain
Left wing coalition government -
Falange banned
The government bans the Falange, a Spanish fascist organisation. Its leader, José Antonio Primo de Rivera, is arrested for illegal possession of weapons. The Falange was banned after members tried to assassinate Luis Jiménez Asúa, a Socialist member of the Cortes, on 10 March, and the trade union leader Francisco Largo Caballero on 14 March. -
Spanish Civil War began
Significant numbers of military garrisons throughout Spain and Spanish Morocco led by army officers revolted against left-wing Republican government -
Military Uprising against Spanish government in Morocco
Right-wing military against Spanish gov -
Period: to
Fortress of Alcazar
Members of the Civil Guard and military cadets are besieged in the Alcazar citadel- 2000 nationaliss troops
Toledo, by pro-government forces. After more than two months the siege was raised by Nationalist troops commanded by General Franco. The relief of Alcazar was seen as a great symbolic victory by the Nationalists, and stories of 'red' atrocities towards civilians during the siege were used in anti-government propaganda. Franco determined to gain symbolic victory -
Hitler agrees to support Franco
HEAD OF SPANISH GOVERNMENT RECOGNITION -
Revolt of Military Garrison in Spain from Spanish Army of Africa - Around Seville
Small territory around Seville where 1500 troops from Spanish Army of Africa were airlifted by Germany from Morocco Revolt of military garrisons in Spain led to division of Spain into Nationalist and Republican areas -
France closes its border with Spain
Unofficial Non Intervention policy begins -
Nationalists take Bajadoz - 4,000 massacred in 10 days
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Capture of City of Badajoz
Capture of the city of Badajoz (near the Portuguese border) by Nationalist forces commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Juan Yagüe. The massacre of an estimated 2,000 - 4,000 civilians followed. Badajoz was used in Republican propaganda as a symbol of Nationalist barbarism. The Nationalists' use of Moroccan troops ("Moors") to carry out atrocities against Spaniards in Badajoz and elsewhere was often highlighted. Captured Merida too -
Non-Intervention Agreement
"non-intervention" agreement, banning military intervention in Spain by other countries, is proposed and promoted by the French and British governments. Key governments (including those of Portugal, Germany, Italy and the Soviet Union) agree to this in principle. In practise Germany, Italy and the Soviet Union continue to send military supplies throughout the war. -
Francisco Largo Caballero - Republican Prime Minister
Francisco Largo Caballero becomes Republican Prime Minister. His coalition government would include socialists, communists, Left Republicans, Basque nationalists and (after 4 November 1936) anarchists. -
Franco named Generalissimo
Rebel leaders agreed that he should be appointed Supreme head of Nationalist goverment and armies
Raised morale
Official -
Republican Government leaves from Madrid to Valencia
Republican government leaves Madrid and moves to Valencia; General Miaja named head of Madrid Defense Junta This shows how Madrid was trying to protect their most valuable territory -
Start of Nationalist ground assault on Madrid.
Nationalist began a heavy artillery bombardment of Madrid supplemented by German aircraft Republican fighters in Madrid were helped by the arrival of weapons from the USSR and Mexico : 4 October October- December -
First International Brigades
The first International Brigades (Brigadas Internacionales) are formed. Their members are foreign volunteers who had travelled to Spain to fight on behalf of the Republican government. More manpower with regular troops, militiamen and the non-Spanish troops stalemate set to the west of Madrid -
Germany and Italy recognize Nationalist government
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Battle of Jarama
Start of the Battle of Jarama - a Nationalist offensive to cross the river Jarama, to the east of Madrid. It continued for most of February. -
Period: to
Battle of Guadalajara
attle of Guadalajara (Nationalist offensive). The city of Guadalajara is 34 miles north east of Madrid.- Aimed to take Madrid from the city’s north-east
- Infantry supported by tanks, artillery and aircraft
- Defensive victory for Republicans
- Due to greater manpower and superior quality
- Stalemate again
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Guernica Bombing
Bombing of the Basque capital of Guernica by German aeroplanes. The air raid was an attack on civilians, rather than a military target, and resulted in the destruction of much of the town. Population of 7,000
Provincial Basque town
Limited military significance
Change in strategy- North easier to take, lightning war, things more spread out
Incendiary bombs
iFirst significant examples of the deliberate targeting of a primarily civilian area and devastation of aerial bombs Later PROPAGANDA -
Negrín- Republican Prime Minister
Juan Negrín becomes Republican Prime Minister, replacing Francisco Largo Caballero. His new government contains more Communists. -
Nationalists took Bilbao
Nationalists took Bilbao
Breached fortress defences following aerial bombardment blockading by the sea which starved city of supplies -
Period: to
Battle of Brunete
Battle of Brunete - Republican offensive against Nationalist forces to the west of Madrid. Republicans launched their first major offensive of the war at Brunete
to Help relieve Madrid’s siege Brunete was captured- Republicans ran into problems Lost dominance in sky – air attacks and communications broke down
Lost tanks
Nationalists regained Brunete -
Period: to
Battle of the Ebro
Battle of the Ebro. Republican troops launch an offensive across the River Ebro. Despite initial success, the Republican army is eventually forced back across the river by Nationalist counter-attacks. Republicans wanted to force the Nationalists to divert troops north away from Valencia in Catalonia Changes in strategy- Negrín wanted to prolong the war, general European war would soon breakout between fascit and democratic states into which Spanish conflict would be subsumed Britain/France? -
Nationalists took Gijon
Capture of the city of Gijon (and district of Asturias) by Nationalist forces. All of the north (Cantabrian) coast is now under Nationalist control. -
Period: to
Battle of Teruel
Battle of Teruel. In the middle of a harsh winter, Republican forces capture Teruel before being forced to retreat by a Nationalist counter-attack. Franco focusing back on Madrid – Republicans determined to divert nationalist troops away by launching another offensive on Teruel Initially successful- failed to advance – Republicans forced to abandon -
Withdrawal of the International Brigade from the front.
The Republican Prime Minister Juan Negrín ordered the unconditional withdrawal of all foreign troops fighting in the International Brigades, in the hope that international pressure might then force the withdrawal of Italian and German troops fighting on behalf of the Nationalists. It didn't. -
Nationalist forces enter Barcelona.
Almost without a fight -
Madrid taken by Nationalist forces.
Republican resistance rapidly decreased
President resigned and went into exile
British and French governments recognized Franco as head of Spanish government by 27 of February Rebelled in Madrid on 5 March 1939- The rebels established an anti-communist junta, National Defence Counsil, which attempted to open negotiations with Frnaco for a conditional surrender.
Internal civil conflict broke out within Republican zone – Franco wasn’t interest -
Spanish Civil War Ends
Republican armies surrender. General Franco declares the war to be over.