Causes of the Spanish Civil War Flashcards
What were the five major ideologies?
Liberalism
Nationalism
Anarchism
Socialism
Communism
Liberalism aspects
- Civil liberties
- Constitutional government
- Diplomacy rather than violence
Nationalism aspects
- Patriotism of the country
- Elements of xenophobia
- State has rights over the individual
Anarchism aspects
- Society without authority, rulers and rules
- Society of associations of independent workers
Radical: violent revolution
Non-Revolutionary: power can be devolved from central to local governments
Socialism aspects
- Equal socio-economic system
- Government controls major industries and taxes the rich
- Housing, healthcare, education and unemployment benefits
Communism aspects
- Everything is economically aimed
- Class struggle is main factor
- All property is ‘commonly’ owned by the community
- “each according to his ability, each according to his need”
What were the short-term causes?
- Economy
- Political issues (ideologies)
- Religion
- Political divisions
- Regionalism
Political issues
From 1871 - Constitutional monarchy
- Real power was in the hands of oligarchs
- Libs and conservatives, no democratic party
- Army intervened often and was powerful
- People were unhappy with the army due to brutality and taxation
- Army’s credibility was undermined after losing war with USA in 1898 and Morocco in 1906-26
Regionalism
- Catalonia and Basque were leading economies and wanted autonomy
- Catalonia had textile, coal and iron. Basque had shipbuilding.
- Central states opposed autonomy, and protests to this turned violent. 1000 died in Barcellona in 1918-21
Economy
- Backwards agriculture-based economy. Seasonal migratory workers (poverty). Rich v. poor, many turned to anarchism
- Needed modernization. Low standard of living. Growth of unions, although no strikes due migration. Unions divided between anarchism and socialism
- Boom in economy due to WW1 neutrality. Inflation as gov’t failed to capitalize on war years.
Political divisions
- Libs supported by middle class, PSOE developed in urban areas.
- Socialist trade union was active. Moderate led by Prieto, radicals by Caballero
- Small communist party after 1917
- Anarchists popular in rural areas
- Extremists carried out assassination and bombings
Primo de Rivera RTP
(1923-30)
Defeat in Morocco spurred an investigation into military failings. To avoid this, he established a temporary military dictatorship. Had the support of King Alfonso. Formally ended in 1925, but stayed as PM until 1930.
Successes of Primo de Rivera
- System of arbitration to end conflicts between workers and employers.
- Period of economic growth due to infrastructure investments (road, dam, irrigation)
- Period of political stability
Failures of Primo de Rivera
- Economic growth between 1923-29, crash after 1929, loans were needed to fund infrastructure
- Overvalued Peseta leading to inflation
- Nationalist upset at failure to expand into Africa and failure to gain a LoN seat
- Army hostile due to cutting of Artillery Corps.
How is the Second Spanish Republic established in April 1931?
de Rivera resigned in 1930 after failing to gain Generals support. King Alfonso appointed Gen. Berenguer. In August Pact of San Sebastian was signed by Republicans and Libs, Socials, Catalonians. King goes into exile an army doesn’t intervene.
