Topic 2 - Reasons for Nationalist victory

Question 1

What warfare tactics were used?

Answer 1

• Republican forces were not as well trained or experienced in conventional warfare
• Republican militias were better suited to street fighting than defeating a conventional warfare

Question 2

What military resources were used?

Answer 2

• The supplies received by the republicans did not match the nationalists resources supplied
• Aid delivered in 1936 helped the republicans defend Madrid
• The quality of soviet equipment was poor compared to German equipment - 25% of rifles dated from 1880
• The USSR used the war to sell old weapons
• Although some USSR weapons were of good condition as many tanks and planes were as good or better than Nationalists - T26 tank and the polikarpov fighter planes

Question 3

How was food supplied?

Answer 3

• Nationalists had beginning advantage as they controlled major agricultural lands - such as the vast wheat lands of Castille
• Food availability also increased in the nationalist zones with the republican zones facing food shortages with the anarchist revolution
• This was also due to food transportation becoming difficult with key cities being under siege by Franco’s forces
• Rationing was introduced and prices soared which affected the republican’s will to continue fighting

Question 4

What were the nationalist’s organisational strengths?

Answer 4

• Nationalists able to maintain a large and sufficient skilled armed force
• They were also able to maintain a supply of manpower and supplies
• This was all carried out by the junta de defensa (defence council) - composed by military leaders who had complete control of all aspects of life

Question 5

What were the nationalists military tactics?

Answer 5

• Franco and his fellow military leaders were more experienced in conventional warfare
• Supply routes were more organised than the republicans

Question 6

How did Franco’s role benefit the nationalists?

Answer 6

• Franco was able to unite the various factions by not identifying himself too closely to any strand of movement
• Franco merged the carlists and Falange creating the FET
• Franco’s tactics of attrition and prolonging the war was a strength as the republicans were experiencing shortages