Spanish Civil War Causes and a Cause Introduction

Spanish Civil War Causes and a Cause

Introduction Spanish Civil War Broke out in 1936 More than a century of social, economic and political Half a million died

Long-Term Causes

Weakness of Government Political instability 19 th century, Spain struggled between periods of conservatism and liberalism Several factors that caused tension and division Weakness of government 1871, Spain became a constitutional monarchy King Amadeo became head of state and he appointed a Prime Minister who should have commanded the majority of parliament (Cortes) Real power held by wealthy oligarchs, control shifted between cliques Two main parties, Conservatives and Liberals, no real difference Elections rigged

Role of Spanish Army had a powerful position in Spain due to its imperial past Believed that was the protector of the nation Right and duty to intervene, did so in 1829, 1871, 1923 Did not act to save King Alfonso in 1931, led to his exile Did intervene during Second Republic and in 1936 Unpopular with the people Reputation for brutality, expensive Had lost Empire in 19 th century, to American in 1898, struggled to keep Morocco 1906 -26 In need of reform Too big, too many officers Upper and middle classes make up the officer corps Generally conservative ‘Africanistas’ had experienced war in Morocco, the hard-liners

Role of Church Catholic Church rich and powerful in Spain Disputes between them and state in 1800 s State guaranteed role in education and economy, church used its wealth for influence Supported conservative policies Aristocracy tied closely to the church Defended rights of upper classes, led to resentment

Economic Causes Plight of agricultural workers was a key factor, focus of the economy, source of employment Did not provide sufficient food and work was seasonal Need for workers to migrate Most in poverty, wide gap Central and South, land owned in huge estates, by ‘Grandees’ who dominated the political system North, peasants owned small plots of land, too poor

Economic Causes Rioting in the countryside Civil Guard deployed to repress No support from the church, some looked to anarchists who sought redistribution of land Catholics resistant to socialist ideas Catholic Agrarian Federation formed to support farmers and reject socialism Would later support Franco

Economic Causes Industrially a need for reform Had been little growth in the 19 th century Expansion limited by poverty Workers poor conditions Growth of trade unionism Competed with one another though, failed to achieve anything substantial Employers could always find alternative labor Workers’ parties had no power, no legal means Spain’s neutrality in WWI had caused a boom Increase in exports meant inflation and shortages Militancy increased Early 1920 s major economic problems, led to violent conflict in industrial cities in Catalonia

Role of Regions Catalonia and Basque provinces seeking independence Had own cultures and economies Primo de Rivera, Prime Minister in 1923, ruled Spain as a dictator until 1930 Took back Catalonia’s selfgoverning rights Separatists supported Republican movement that overthrew Alfonso in 1931

Political Opposition Number of groups opposed to status quo Liberal groups achieved nothing, remained a political force Spanish Socialist Party had grown, UGT more visible Small Communist Party after Russian Revolution All divided over which reforms should take place Moderate Socialists Indalecio Prieto Radicals Largo Caballero Anarchists also a major force Popular with the peasants Boycotted democracy, active with CNT Responsible for some bombings

Fall of the Monarchy and Establishment of the Second Republic King Alfonso was not a modernizer Pressure on him after defeats and ineffective government Did not resist coup of General Primo de Rivera in 1923 Primo de Rivera Tried to establish right-wing regime similar to Italy Infrastructure and Industry advances Ran up massive debts, worse when Depression hit Alienated landowners and army Resigned in 1930, did not bring about stability Elections in 1930 then showed support for republicans, liberals, socialists and Catholics King went into voluntary exile Neither Church or army stepped in Second Republic established 1931

Short-Term Causes

Political Polarization Between 1931 and 1936, major gap in ideology Did not anticipate war in 1931 By 1936, it will be desireable

The Left Republic Following departure, center-left wanted to modernize Government declared a new constitution, stating Spain was a democratic republic of workers Manuel Azana became President Key issues continued Addressed church’s power Anticlerical, tried to separate church and state No longer in control of education, state payment of clergy stopped, power of the army attacked Made it only more nationalist really

The Left Republic Desperate economic problems existed in Spain exacerbated by the Depression Agricultural prices tumbling, exports fell, unemployment rising Industrial output fell Largo Caballero, Minister of Labour intiated an extensive land redistribution program with compensation 1932, land law, right saw as a major threat Civil unrest and violence continued Dealt with brutally, introduced Assault Guard Risings by both sides General Jose Sanjurjo from right Casas Viejos anarchist uprising from left Army remained mostly loyal

The Left Republic Catalonia given its own parliament, some powers over law and education Right-wing groups angered by this move towards independence and break -up of Spain New right-wing party, Confederacion Espanola de Derechas Autonamas, formed to defend the church and landlords CEDA led by Jose Maria Gil-Robles modelled on German Nazi Party Political divisions definitely increased Azana also attacked anarchists, lost him some working class support, resigned in 1933

The Right Republic Elections of 1933, Republic swung right Disunity on the left CEDA largest party, Gil-Robles made War Minister New government ruled for two years Known as black years, systematically reversed Left Republic’s reforms Church and land restored Catalonia suppressed by troops Threat of general strike The right lost support of the Basques

The Right Republic Political response to Right Republic divided CEDA labeled Spanish Nazi party, some thought they should seek Sovietstyle solution Right demanded a shift to more authoritarian approach Led to more cooperation on the Left

The Popular Front Right wing disintegrated as economic and political situation deteriorated Election of 1936, Popular Front, anti-fascist pact of left-wing groups including socialists and communists, victorious Some associated it with democracy, some with Stalin Manifesto promoted by Azana who now returned, liberal, not radical Wanted to restore reforms of 31 -33 Still no political census Anarchists encouraged peasants to seize land, recruited militias Conflict with fascists, government faced increasing disorder General strike in May Right wing thought they were in left revolution

Immediate Causes

1936 Victory of the left in 1936 elections threw CEDA into turmoil Used funds to support military plans for a coup Began planning immediately Nationalist junior officers joined with senior Africanista officers, including Franco Coup began after murder of popular CEDA leader on July 13 Azana attempted to prevent coup by moving key military figures to remote posts Conspirators made contact with two groups, Falange (authoritarian radicals) and Carlists (monarchists) Fascists versus communists Coup began on July 17 from Morocco, took northern Spain Half of the army remained Republican, coup actually unsuccessful without foreign intervention