Spanish Civil War

The Spanish Civil War (18 July 1936 – 1 April 1939) was a civil war between Republicans and Nationalists. The war ended on 1 April 1939, when the last Republican troops surrendered. Francisco Franco became dictator of Spain until he died in 1975.

The civil war began after a pronunciamiento (revolt) against the Republican government by the Nationalists. The nationalists were supported by FE de las JONS, a far right political party. During this time, fascist General Francisco Franco and his nationalist troops wanted to take control of the Spanish Republic. The Army split, with about half of the troops being loyal to the Republic. 

Many different groups worked together to help the democratic Spanish Republic stop Franco, including Basques, Catalans and other groups.


10px Main Nationalist centres 
10px Main Republican centres 

25px Land battles 
25px Naval battles 
25px Bombed cities 
25px Concentration camps 
25px Massacres 
10px Refugee camps


 Foreign involvement 

Support for Republicans
The Soviet Union, Mexico and French Third Republic sold the Republican weapons, the International Brigades was a left wing international militant group formed to fight Franco, many anti-fascist partisans internationally volunteered to fight against Franco, including people from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Germany, and Italy.

Support for Nationalists
The governments of Nazi Germany, Kingdom of Italy and Second Portuguese Republic provided troops and supplies for Franco.

 Death toll and atrocities 

Around half-a-million people died in the war, and many atrocities were committed by both sides. The most famous atrocity was the bombing of Guernica. On 26 April 1937, the city was bombed by Legion Condor, a Nazi military unit working for Franco. It was the first time that an air bombing caused so many civilian casualties. The bombing was reported all over the world in newspapers and made people aware of the German involvement.

Related pages

 Ireland and the Spanish Civil War
 Proxy war
 European Civil War
 Spain in World War II
 Surviving veterans of the Spanish Civil War
 SS Cantabria

References

Category:1930s in Europe
Category:1930s in Spain
Category:20th-century rebellions
Category:Rebellions in Europe
Category:Spanish Civil War