Spanish Civil War

A conflict fought in Spain from 1936 to 1939 between the leftist Republican government and the right-wing nationalist forces led by General Francisco Franco.

What were the main factions involved in the Spanish Civil War?

Quote: "Republicans were loyal to the left-leaning Popular Front government of the Second Spanish Republic" and "The opposing Nationalists were an alliance of Falangists, monarchists, conservatives, and traditionalists led by a military junta..."

What were the political ideologies present within the Republican faction?

Quote: "…consisted of various socialist, communist, separatist, anarchist, and republican parties"

Who emerged as the leader of the Nationalist side?

Quote: "Franco emerged as the remaining leader of the Nationalist side."

How did the war begin?

Quote: "The war began after the partial failure of the coup d'état of July 1936 against the Republican government" by a group of generals.

Which cities remained under the control of the Republican government?

Quote: "Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao, and Málaga"

Which countries supported the Nationalist side?

Quote: "Fascist Italy, Nazi Germany, and Portugal"

Which countries supported the Republican side?

Quote: "The Soviet Union and Mexico"

What was the military and political situation in Spain during the war?

Quote: "Spain militarily and politically divided"

Where did the Nationalists advance from and which areas did they capture?

Quote: "The Nationalists advanced from their strongholds in the south and west, capturing most of Spain's northern coastline in 1937."

What was the Republican military position towards the end of the war?

Quote: "Following the fall without resistance of Barcelona in January 1939, the Republican military position became hopeless."

How did the war come to an end?

Quote: "Following internal conflict between Republican factions in Madrid in the same month, Franco entered the capital and declared victory on 1 April 1939."

What happened to Spaniards associated with the losing Republicans?

Quote: "Those associated with the losing Republicans who stayed were persecuted by the victorious Nationalists."

How did Franco establish his regime?

Quote: "Franco established a dictatorship in which all right-wing parties were fused into the structure of the Franco regime."

What were some characteristics of the Spanish Civil War that made it notable?

Quote: "The war became notable for the passion and political division it inspired worldwide" and "many atrocities that occurred."

Were there any purges or mass executions during the war?

Quote: "Organised purges occurred in territory captured by Franco's forces" and "Mass executions on a lesser scale also took place in areas controlled by the Republicans."

Which countries officially recognized the Francoist regime?

Quote: "the Francoist regime was recognized by France and the United Kingdom in February 1939."

Who led a military coup against the Republican government?

Quote: "Colonel Segismundo Casado led a military coup against the Republican government."

What were the intentions of the coup against the Republican government?

Quote: "the intention of seeking peace with the Nationalists."

Were the peace overtures accepted by Franco?

Quote: "These peace overtures, however, were rejected by Franco."

What happened to the Spaniards who fled during the war?

Quote: "Hundreds of thousands of Spaniards fled to refugee camps in southern France."