How much do you know about the Spanish Civil War? It started in July 1936 and finished in April of 1939? At least 500,000 to 1 million people perished during this time, and it was considered a dress rehearsal for World War II.
The war originally started because of the political divide between the two main parties; the Republicans and the Nationalists. The Left-Wing Republicans were made up of mainly workers, peasants and trade unions. The Right-Wing Nationals known as the rebels were made up of the army, industry owners and the middle classes, led by General Francisco Franco. The church was also one of the most powerful forces in Spain and was strongly against the Republicans.
After being badly hit by the Great Depression, in 1929 the military dictatorship that had previously ruled Spain collapsed, and in 1931 King Alfonso XIII abdicated faced with war.
The Republican government elected were led by Mañuel Azaña and a rebellion against them from both civilians and military followed. Jose Calvo Soltelo, a leading figure against the Republicans, was assassinated in July 1936, triggering the violence that erupted throughout the whole of Spain at this time. The military expected victory and to gain control of the whole country quite quickly, instead, werethey came up against strong resistance in the big cities like Madrid and Barcelona.
The fascist governments of Italy and Germany supported Franco and sent troops and supplies to help; the Republicans had some support from the Soviet Union and Mexico. Both sides received help from International Brigades made up of foreign nationals that volunteered to fight. Volunteers from the US were known as the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. Meanwhile, Britain and France remained neutral and imposed a non-intervention policy, France closing its borders. Italy and Germany violated the policy by sending weapons to Franco, had they not have done so the rebellion may have collapsed.
After one year of the war, Franco controlled 35 out of 50 of the provincial capitals.
On the 26th April 1937, the famous bombing of Guernica took place. Carried out by the Germans on behalf of Franco and the Nationalists, an aerial attack targeting the civilians of the town which were currently being used as a communications centre on the frontline. Famous Spanish painter Pablo Picasso was inspired by this attack for his most famous artwork. “Guernica”.
In January 1938, the Republicans managed to take the city of Teruel during the worst Spanish winter in 20 years. Only to be taken back by the Nationalists at the end of February.
The Republicans began to struggle, having internal differences of opinion and conflicts which led to further violence in Barcelona in May 1937. Without the army on their side, soon the republican forces were plagued by famine and disease. The war ended on 1st April 1939, when the last of the republican forces surrendered and after a 28-month siege Madrid was finally taken by the Nationalists.
Franco then became the ruler and dictator of Spain for many many years until 1975 when he died. He set up concentration camps and executed thousands of his enemies until 1944. Then on the 1st September 1939, Hitler invaded Poland and World War II began.
After the Spanish Civil War, of course, Hitler wanted Franco´s support, but Spain was devastated and was not in a position in the aftermath of a war to provide any help, with men or supplies.
Spain really played little part in the 2nd World War and was fairly isolated under Franco. However in 1955, Spain joined the UN and in 1970 Franco named Juan Carlos as his successor, so re-establishing the monarchy. When Franco died 1975, King Juan Carlos I was crowned.
Spain´s journey back to democracy has led to fairer laws, less black money, and a now steady, safe place for an investment or home. 50 years ago, Spain was a very different place from how it is today. Now we have emerged from the crisis in the Eurozone, it is eradicating bad practices (such as the Banks having overcharged on mortgages for years – the so- called “Bottom Clause opportunity for a windfall”) and keeps an eye on transactions at the Notary to ensure no black money passes hands. Now that the government has settled down and Mariano Rajoy was re-elected Prime Minster in 2016, the worry of previously an unsettled political landscape has lifted.
Spain has made massive reforms and is now reaping the rewards and we can certainly see it with the level of construction in our La Zenia area. What a difference 50 years can make to a country!
Now is the time to enjoy this beautiful country and look to invest and live here on the beautiful Costa Blanca.