Spanish Civil War Flashcards

1
Q

How can you describe the ideology and policies of the Republicans?

A
  • Anti-clerical, leftist leaning, socialist
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2
Q

How can you describe the ideology and policies of the Nationalists?

A
  • Pro-monarchy, anti-communist
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3
Q

What were some of the characteristics of liberalism? [3]

A
  • Emphasis on the freedom of the individual
  • Minimal state interference in the economy
  • Diplomacy rather than force
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4
Q

What were some of the characteristics of Nationalism? [3]

A
  • Patriotism in a country
  • State has rights over the individual
  • Sometimes dislike of other countries/foreigners
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5
Q

What were some of the characteristics of Anarchism? [3]

A
  • Political power gives economic control, which explains the subjugation of the working classes
  • Promotes a society without authority or rules
  • Radical anarchists call for violent revolution
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6
Q

What were some of the characteristics of Socialism? [3]

A
  • More equal socio-economic system
  • Gov’ takes control of key industries and taxes the rich to provide better living standard for all
  • Government provides more support for the poor
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7
Q

How were economic problems a long term cause for the Spanish Civil War? [2]

A
  • Widespread poverty and stark divisions between rich and poor led to frequent rioting and disturbances
  • Low standards of living: unregulated working conditions, poor housing, limited welfare provision led to the outgrowth of radical political groups like anarchists and the growth of trade unionism.
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8
Q

How were political issues a long term cause for the Spanish Civil War? [2]

A
  • The army retained a powerful position, had historically intervened in politics: unpopular, reputation for brutality, and paid for by heavy taxation.
  • From 1871 Spain was a constitutional monarchy: High level of corruption, power controlled by wealthy oligarchs.
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9
Q

How were socio-political tension and divisions a long term cause for the Spanish Civil War? [3]

A
  • There was a large number of political groups and factions.
  • Regionalism: central state refused demands for autonomy from Catalan and Basque regions.
  • The church used wealth and position to gain considerable influence in politics and society. Resented in many urban areas: dominated by aristocracy and wealthy elites.
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10
Q

What were the main long term causes for the Spanish Civil War?

A

Spain was affected by a combination of economic problems, political issues and divisions in society, which led to polarization and conflicting ideologies.

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11
Q

When was, and what were some of the successes of the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera?

A
  • 1923-30
  • Oversaw a sustained period of economic growth due to large scale investment in infrastructure projects
  • Facilitated a period of political stability
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12
Q

When was, and what were some of the failures of the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera? [5]

A
  • 1923-30
  • Economic failures: effects of economic depression, forced to accept significant devaluation of the Peseta.
  • Angered major groups:
  • Opposed regional autonomy and reduced Catalan’s independence
  • Censorship and promotion of the church in higher education alienated liberals and intellectuals
  • Nationalists disappointed by his foreign policy, failure to extend Spain’s North African territories
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13
Q

How did reforms introduced by the Left Republic under Azana from 1931-33 contribute to growing unrest? [4]

A
  • Unable to resolve economic issues and 1932 Agrarian Reform allowing redistribution of land from the Latifundias and the church threatened the right wing.
  • Catalan autonomy (granted 1932) opposed by conservatives and right wing elements of the army.
  • Military reform: from 1931 officers offered early retirement on full pay to reduce the size of the army. The gov’ inflamed opposition within the army by threatening compulsory retirement if there was a lack of volunteers.
  • Slow pace of reform led to leftist uprisings.
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14
Q

What was the immediate cause for the Spanish Civil War in 1936?

A
  • The failure of the military coup led by Generals Mola, Sanjurjo and Franco. The Left Republic able to launch a counter-assault that escalated into Civil War
  • Failure due to to the Republic’s bedrock of support among industrial proletariat and agricultural peasantry.
  • Result of various reforms, why Azana able to easily defeat the military revolt by Sanjurjo in 1932.
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15
Q

How did reforms of the Left Republic from 1931-33 provide it with a bedrock of support?

A
  • 1932 Agrarian Reform allowed the state to confiscate and redistribute land from the Latifundias and the church to landless laborers
  • Heavy investment into education. Built more than 7000 new schools.
  • Religious freedom enshrined in the constitution: civil marriages were introduced and divorce legalized.
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16
Q

How was the polarization of left and right wing groups a cause for the Spanish Civil War?

A
  • The overthrow of the reforming government of Azana (Left Republic) led to the creation of the more extreme Popular Front movement
  • Azana tried to restore liberal reforms and release political prisoners. Anarchists openly recruited for militias and planned assassinations and bombings.
  • The Popular Front’s overthrow of the conservative CEDA government of Gil-Robles produced a reactionary bloc called the National Front.
  • The right wing began to fear a left wing revolution: Gil-Robles and military officers made plans for a coup
  • Murder of popular CEDA leader Sotelo in 1936 a catalyst for the coup.
17
Q

What were the causes for the Spanish Civil War?

A
  • The failure of the military coup
  • The polarization of left and right
  • Failure of governments to fix social and economic problems.
  • Long term socio-political and economic tensions > unrest and extremism.
18
Q

What were the main events of the Spanish Civil War in 1936?

A
  • Military coup
  • Nationalists to establish a foothold in mainland Spain
  • Aid and support sent to both sides.
19
Q

What were the main events of the Spanish Civil War in 1937?

A
  • Republicans able to keep hold over Madrid
  • Republicans unable to regain Nationalist-controlled territories and take back cities despite heavy losses.
  • Nationalists gain complete control of Northern Spain
20
Q

What were the main events of the Spanish Civil War in 1938-39?

A
  • Republicans severely weakened by failed attacks, erosion of men and resources
  • Franco drove through Aragon and cut Republican territory in two. Arguably a turning point.
  • Infighting between communist and anarchist troops allowed the Nationalists to take Madrid in March 1939
21
Q

Why did the Nationalists win the war?

A

The nationalists were more politically unified, in a stronger economic position, and had superior military power.

22
Q

What were some aspects of political unity as a key strength of the Nationalists during the war? [3]

A
  • Supported by the church who opposed the left’s secular ideology.
  • Franco merged the Falanage and Carlist parties to form a new party, the FET
  • Unified command under Franco
23
Q

What are some examples of economic advantages as a key strength of the Nationalists during the war? [3]

A
  • Secured international credit, including $700 million from the US
  • In Sep 1926 Nationalists had control of main food-producing areas
  • Backed by business owners > could get credit to buy war supplies
24
Q

What are some examples of economic disadvantages as a key weakness of the Republicans during the war?

A
  • The NIC banned all arms sales to the Republic, so the USSR was the only country willing to trade with it.
  • Inflation reached 300% whereas wages only rose 15%
25
Q

What were some aspects of political unity as a key weakness of the Republicans during the war? [3]

A
  • Regions of Catalonia, the Basque and Asturias were virtually independent
  • Political division undermined Caballero’s authority
  • Communists and socialists believed the ‘revolution’ should be postponed until the war was won, anarchists wanted to effectuate revolutionary policies.
  • Infighting between communists and anarchists.
26
Q

What support did Nazi Germany provide for the Nationalists? [4]

A
  • Germany sent between 10 000 and 16 000 advisors, troops, pilots and communications experts in the Condor Legion.
  • Comitted 540 Reichsmark to the war
  • Facilitated an airlift to transport Franco’s Africanista forces across the Strait of Gibraltar > if not for this, the Republic may have been able to isolate rebel forces and stop the rebellion
  • The Condor Legion played a pivotal role in the fall of Catalonia and surrendering of the Basque region.
27
Q

What support did Fascist Italy provide for the Nationalists? [3]

A
  • Sent between 70 000-75 000 troops in addition to planes, tanks and modern weapons
  • Italian bombers of the Aviation Legionaria were critical in the bombardment of Madrid and other cites.
  • Helped Nationalists take control of the Mediterranean and boosted morale.
28
Q

What support did Portugal provide for the Nationalists? [2]

A
  • 20 000 troops

- Its long term alliance with Britain meant that Britain was reluctant to counter its support for the Nationalists.

29
Q

What does a historian have to say about foreign intervention in the Spanish Civil War?

A

Modern left-wing commentator T. Cavero:

“Franco won the war solely by the military help of Mussolini and Hitler and the political help of Neville Chamberlain”

30
Q

What support did the USSR provide for the Republicans? [4]

A
  • No Soviet troops sent, but the USSR committed 1000 aircraft and 750 T-26 tanks
  • Soviets facilitated the creation of the International Brigades through Comintern
  • Republic had to pay for Soviet assistance—in 1936 its entire gold reserves were shipped to the USSR
  • Military assistant in Oct 36 prevented a quick Nationalist victory
31
Q

What were some short term economic consequences of the Spanish Civil War? [3]

A
  • 10-15% of Spain’s wealth had been destroyed
  • High inflation, Spain had massive debts
  • Per capita income was 28% lower in 1939 than 1935
32
Q

What were some long term economic consequences of the Spanish Civil War? [3]

A
  • Spain suffered famine in 1946 and industrial output was at a level below that of 1918
  • Spain became less isolated during the Cold War
  • Developed a powerful capitalist economy with reforms during the ’50s and ’60s.
33
Q

What were some political consequences of the Spanish Civil War? [5]

A
  • Franco emerged as Spain’s dictator
  • Republican anti-clerical reforms repealed. F. Lennon: “the Catholic churched enjoyed a degree of state support that was much greater than at any time since the 18th century”
  • The CNT and UGT were destroyed
  • Suppression and removal of all political opposition led to a period of political stability
  • The army lost its pre-eminence after Morocco gained independence in 1956
34
Q

What were the international effects of the Spanish Civil War? [6]

A
  • American foreign policy changed from one of neutrality to support: Franco seen as an ally against communism in the development of the Cold War
  • First American grant to Spain in 1951 in return for usage of air bases
  • Allowed Hitler to further his expansionist policies:
  • Italy became weaker and more dependent on Germany. Absorbing Mussolini’s attention allowed Hitler to carry out annexation of Austria in 1938
  • Fostered a new Soviet foreign policy, moving towards an alliance with Germany.
  • AJP Taylor: Spanish Civil War “without significant effect” in causing WWII
35
Q

What were the social effects of the Spanish Civil War?

A
  • Huge limners of deaths: 100 000 Republicans, 70 000 Nationalists
  • Estimated further 40 000- 200 000 killed during the period after the war, the “White Terror”.
  • Half a million Spaniards, mainly intellectuals, fled the country.