Carmen Soh
IBH2 History
August 13, 2010
Ms. Gifford
Why did the Nationalists win the Spanish Civil War?
In July 1936, Spain was plummeted in arguably the most catastrophic and
horrendous Civil War the world had seen. After three arduous years of fighting and
bloodshed, the efforts of the Nationalists were awarded and they were declared
victorious. Francisco Franco, leader and field commander of Spain, states, “We open our
arms to all Spaniards and offer them the opportunity of helping to form the Spain of
tomorrow…the choice for the enemy is fight or unconditional surrender, nothing else.”1
The reasons for this success are numerous and diverse but whilst factors such as
Francisco Franco’s leadership, domestic support and foreign intervention were vital, the
Nationalists ultimately won the Spanish Civil War because of the advantageous failure of
the Republicans.
Francisco Franco led the Nationalists to victory with strong military tactics and
political strategies. Franco demonstrated his bravery and competence as a soldier and his
accomplishments proved him to be a national hero. He was thus appointed Chief-of-Staff
of the Spanish army in 1935. According to Luis Bolin in his book, Spain: The Vital
Years, “Some may think of him mainly as a strategic and political commander-in-chief,
but throughout the Civil War he was also a tactical leader…though he did not physically
lead troops in action, he certainly directed their movements, and this explains the prestige
he enjoyed.”2 Although Franco lacked vision and dynamism, he carried his duties
impeccably due to his past experiences in war. He was a powerful source amongst the
Nationalists and exhibited cautious and gradual tactics. General Franco was also familiar
with other military leaders and strategists and gained the support from rich landowners.
In 1936, he allied with Italy and Germany with the sole purpose of winning the war, as
opposed to the Soviet Union’s approach of protracting the spread of Fascism in Europe.
However, it is said that Franco’s largest achievement was creating political unity through
1
2
Skimin, John. “Francisco Franco.” Spartacus Educational: n. pag. Web. 12 Aug 2010.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WWfranco.htm
Bolin, Luis. Spain: The Vital Years. London: Cassell, 1967. Print.
Carmen Soh
IBH2 History
August 13, 2010
Ms. Gifford
the merging of the Carlists, the Falange, and other right-wing groups into a “communion”
known as the National Movement Domestic Support in 1937. This was allocated as the
main forum for political participation. This organized coalition was a major contributing
factor to the conquest of the Nationalists.
The National Movement Domestic Support proved genuine domestic support for
the Nationalists that the Republicans were unable to achieve. Another example was
CEDA, a Catholic Church party that displayed nothing short of full support for the
Nationalist Army during the Spanish Civil War due to the new government’s reforms in
society that were not to their liking. Although their assistance was much appreciated,
Franco dissolved CEDA completely soon after, in fear of creating further competitions
between right wing parties. However, Franco was in favor of the Falange during the Civil
War and more so when it merged with the Carlist Party. This grand council was also
known as the “Traditionalist Spanish Falange” and established itself as the preeminent
legislative body in the nation and developed into the Nationalist Movement. The coalition
of political parties that consisted of similar ideals made it difficult for the Republicans to
percolate an organized party. Although their contribution seemed almost subordinate in
comparison to other factors, it was necessary that high morale remained in the Nationalist
pubic and this indefinitely portrayed the division seen amongst the Republicans.
Domestic support was not the only aid that Franco accepted; he was fortunate
enough to simultaneously receive effective intervention from countries such as Germany,
Italy, the United States, Portugal and Ireland. Even though the French and British signed
the Non-Intervention Pact in September 1936, their allegiance to remain neutral was not
affirmed. Adolph Hitler supplied soldiers and equipments in massive quantity, providing
16,000 troops, 200 tanks and 600 aircrafts. The Nationalists were perhaps most thankful
for The Condor Air Legion contribution, a German air force that was “the most efficient
and influential assistance in Spain”3, according to Historian Antony Beevor. Germany
3
Stephen, Tonge. "The Spanish Civil War." Web of English History (2009): n. pag. Web.
12 Aug 2010. <http://www.historyhome.co.uk/europe/spaincw.htm>.
Carmen Soh
IBH2 History
August 13, 2010
Ms. Gifford
was immediately recognized for their new war technology, specifically the infamous
bombing of Guernica, which gave them military superiority over many other nations.
Similarly, Italy also supplied further addition, providing Franco with 75,000 men, 150
tanks and 660 aircrafts. Even though Germany contributed the crucial use of air force,
Italy contributed more in mass quantities as stated by Beevor, “the Italian contribution to
the Nationalist cause was enormous and more general than the German contribution”4.
The support from Hitler and Mussolini evidently overshadowed any foreign aid of the
Republicans. Moreover, the constant feed of equipment to Franco proved the reliability
and efficient support of the allies and was put to strong tactical use by General Franco. In
contrast, Soviet Union did send aid to relieve the Republican’s sectors. However,
Republicans failed to use it significantly and did not take full advantage of the situation.
Soviet aid was essentially used to assist Republican resistance whilst German and Italian
aid was used to secure the Nationalists’ victory.
Although the combination of the aforementioned factors was significant to a large
extent, it was the advantageous failure of the Republicans that subsequently led to the
declaration of the Nationalist victory. The military attempts, political disunity and
economic tribulations were major setbacks to the Spanish Republic. When the
Nationalists failed to capture Madrid in 1936, bloody battles were to follow over the next
months as the Republicans desperately attempted to protect this city. Although they
succeeded, they lost great amounts of soldiers, energy, time and military equipment.
Unsatisfied, the Nationalists attacked with vengeance and this led to the inconclusive
battle of Brunete. The Republicans sparked another offensive of Teruel and after bitter
fighting, they finally lost the battle. A loss of resources meant that it was necessary for
the Republicans to seek help. Most of the Spanish gold reserves were sent to the USSR in
exchange for military equipment. The transfer of the gold led to a dramatic rise in
inflation on the Republican zone. In this scene of chaos and disorder, it was no wonder
that political disunity emerged and left the Republicans weak and defenseless. In May,
the divisions on the Republican side were clearly shown by events in Barcelona. This
4
Stephen, Tonge. "The Spanish Civil War." Web of English History (2009): n. pag. Web.
12 Aug 2010. <http://www.historyhome.co.uk/europe/spaincw.htm>.
Carmen Soh
IBH2 History
August 13, 2010
Ms. Gifford
civil war within a civil war saw the Socialists and Communists fight street battles with
the Anarchists and Trotskyites. The Republicans were overwhelmed with numerous
domestic issues that only exasperated the problems at hand. Republican atrocities were
severe and evident as the Civil War came to an end. However, despite the failure of the
Republicans, George Orwell, a participant of the Spanish Civil War and an author, stated
that “I know that some were committed by the Republicans, and far more (they are still
continuing) by the Fascists.”5 It is arguable that perhaps the failure of the Republicans
was a considerably large factor that finally sparked the victory for the Nationalists.
The Spanish Civil War was no doubt one of the most gruesome and devastating
Civil Wars in the all of history. It depicted perfectly the existing political issues of
Europe between parties, particularly the battle between the Nationalists and the
Republicans. However, Spain was the country most affected and specifically had to pay
the severe loss of approximately 500,000 casualties and countless resources. Finally, on
April 1st, 1939, the Nationalists were finally triumphant because of Franco’s tactile
leadership, local support from extreme opponents of Republicans, the imperative foreign
aid of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy and the failure of the Republicans.
Word Count: 1235
5
George, Orwell. "Looking Back on the Spanish War ." Essays & Journals n. pag. Web.
12 Aug 2010. <http://www.netcharles.com/orwell/essays/lookingback1.htm>.