Spanish Civil War

Civil Wars

Armed disputes that erupt over often radically different ideas about the direction, governmental system, or composition of a country.

National fault lines

Divisions along which volatile differences develop, which can be ideological, regional, political, economic, religious, etc.

Lack of political system

A situation where there is not enough monopoly of force or perceived legitimacy to address competing interests within a country.

Class differences in Spain

Divisions between the aristocracy and peasants, where a small number of landowners held a majority of land.

Right in Spanish Civil War

Comprised of landowners, the church, and the army, representing traditional conservative interests.

Left in Spanish Civil War

Included emerging anarcho-syndicalism, socialism, and traditional anarchism, advocating for workers' rights and decentralized factory control.

Alfonso XIII's rule

King of Spain from 1902 to 1931 who was out of touch with reality and prevented necessary reforms.

Second Republic of Spain

Established after Alfonso XIII abdicated on April 14, 1931, leading to significant political changes.

Immediate causes of Spanish Civil War

Included Alfonso XIII's failure to reform and left radicalization following the Second Republic's establishment.

Agrarian reforms

Efforts to redistribute land from the wealthy to the poor, which faced opposition from the right.