European states (Spain): “Franco won the Spanish Civil War because of Republican disunity” To what extent do you agree with this statement? Flashcards
Intro/thesis
-Key reason was foreign intervention
-However, if it had not been for the wrong and unified command, the Nationalists might not have been able to capitalize on their foreign aid
-The coup would not have turned into a war if it hadn’t been for foreign intervention. The 1936 coup d’etat could have been defeated in its infancy if it did not receive support from Hitler and Mussolini – fourteen thousand Spanish and Moroccan troops were transported (initially trapped there) across the Straits of Gibraltar to Spain by Italian and German aircraft.
Paragraphs
-Republican disunity, exacerbated by economic problems
-Nationalist strengths
-Foreign intevention
Paragraphs
-Republican disunity, exacerbated by economic problems
-Nationalist strengths
-Foreign intervention
Republican disunity, exacerbated by economic problems- examples
-The Republicans were extremely politically divided, as the Republicans subscribed to widely different ideologies. The key divisions were between the Communists and Socialists and the Anarchists.
-The lack of unity between the forces of the Republic is exemplified in the four days of street fighting in Barcelona in May of 1937, with Communists and Socialists on one side and the Anarchists and POUM on the other.
-Production in the key area of Catalan fell by 2/3 between 1936 and 1939, and the Republic was increasingly affected by food and raw material shortages.
Republican disunity, exacerbated by economic problems- explanation & historiography
-Despite having some excellent commanders, the Republic lacked strong military leadership. There was no unified command, and the Communists and Anarchists would not work together.
-In the vital first weeks of the war, the Republic was dependent on ineffective militia units that formed haphazardly. This meant that they fought a series of local conflicts rather than one overall campaign.
-Paul Preston argues that, had the Republic armed the working classes in the early stages of the revolt, the rebels could have been defeated.
-Yes, but political disunity meant that that likely would not have been enough
Nationalist strengths- examples
-A major strength of the Nationalists was unity. Franco was able to control both the Carlists and the Falange. Franco was also assisted by the Church, which opposed the left and its secular ideologies.
-Initially, the Nationalists faced similar problems to the Republicans- ‘columns’ of Carlists and Falangist militias attempted to operate alongside regular army units. The Africanistas played a significant role in unifying the military, as they could cover for other forces while they were being trained and equipped.
-The business community backed the Nationalists, which meant they could get credit to buy war supplies. Also, by the end of 1936, they were in control of the main food-producing areas.
Nationalist strengths- explanation & historiography
-The unified command was key to the Nationalists’ success. Franco’s leadership was accepted by the other generals and right-wing parties. The Nationalists had sound communications, and managed to equip their growing army throughout the war.
-H. Thomas: Emphasizes Franco’s army’s orgnanization and his unity of command.
-Access to the industrial and mining regions of the Basque country and the Asturias gave the Nationalists a domestic production advantage after 1937. In contrast, the lack of raw materials in Republican-held areas hindered their war effort.
Foreign intervention- examples
-During the course of the war, the Germans sent between 10,000 and 16,000 advisors, instructors, troops, pilots, and communications experts in the Condor Legion.
-It has been estimated that the US gave $700 million in credit during the course of the war. This meant that Franco could buy all the rubber and oil they needed, which was acquired from US companies.
-The Republicans received aid from the Soviet Union, although it was limited (the USSR only committed 1,000 aircraft and 750 tanks), and they withdrew in June 1938.
Foreign intervention- explanation & historiography
-Some historians have seen this as a pivotal moment in the war, as without Franco’s troops, the Republic may have been able to isolate rebel forces and crush the rebellion.
-Overall, the involvement of Germany was important to the outcome of the war, not only as it played crucial military roles during the fighting, but also because other governments were deterred from getting involved due to its presence.
-The Republic’s reliance on the Soviet Union polarized the politics of the Spanish Civil War, and associated the Republic with Soviet Communism.
