SPANISH CIVIL WAR TERMS 2025

CNT

The National Confederation of Labour was a revolutionary, anarchist labor organization that formed prior to the Spanish Civil War

UGT

a trade union founded by Barcelona printing workers in 1888, which supports republicanism and socialism. It led a strike in 1909 and was responsible for the first trade union memeber being elected to parliament and had a membership of 100,000 by 1913.

Primo de Rivera

Former Right-Ring dictator in Spain until 1930 who established martial law and imposed a strict system of censorship

FAI

Anarchist group born from the CNT that sided with the Left in the Popular Front in 1936. Wanted labor improvements and regionalism, used extreme methods such as assassinations to accomplish their goals.

FNTT

Very militant socialist-led peasant workers’ union of the Federation of Land Workers, Federacion Nacional de Trabajadores de la Tierra, with over a million people that led land seizures and estate occupations. Brone of frustration with unequal land distribution.

Anti-Clericalism

Movement against the Catholic Church in Spain, primary motivator for Left-wing Republicans to unify, resulted in reforms that lessened churhc influence and violent attakcs on church leaders

Nationalists

Nationalist Front composed of the right-wing wealthy elites and military officers that backed Franco and fought for traditional Spanish values and Catholicism

Republicans

A political coalition of anarchists, socialists, and communists that made up the left wing

Guernica

(1937) site of intentional German aerial bombing of Spanish civilians, approved by Franco

Francisco Franco

Conservative “caudillo” of Spain, started a military coup which started the Spanish Civil War, to overthrow the republic.

Second Spanish Republic

Government from 1931-1939, very divided because of various groups with different views, overthrown by military rebellion by Franco

Juntas

Military councils that led Africanists troops and took a role in crushing left-wing revolts

Africanistas

A brutal military group based in Spanish Morocco that provided troops to Franco’s forces - they learned their trade in the colonial wars and viewed themselves as elite warriors

Asturias

Mining protesters in this region took over police barracks, provindg reaosn for the right to have a military coup because left couldn’t control protestors, soldiers sent in and carried out orders with extreme brutality

Catalan Separatists

Catalonia was initially under Spain’s rule, but the Catalan Separatists wanted to break away from Spain. They wanted self-government and hoped that the republican left would support them.

Falange

Fascist movement influenced by right-wing dictatorships with anti-communist and nationalist ideals

CNCA

Nationalist Catholic landowners who felt persecuted by anti-Catholic left wing republicans & wanted to protect Catholic interests

CEDA

Catholic wealthy landowners who were not successful in their political gains, so they turned to military revolt and supported Franco’s rule.

Jose Maria Gil Robles

Right-Wing Catholic Journalist, opposed the Second Republic and stared CEDA in 1933.

Popular Front

A 1936 coalition representing left wing elements that renewed campaign against the church destroying any hopes for Catholic political influence

Jose Calvo Sotelo

Right-wing political leader whose assassination sparked the outbreak of the Military rebellion against the Popular Front.

Battle of Madrid

Siege of Madrid by Nationalists ended the Spanish Civil War and resulted in Franco’s rise to power, because Nationalists had professional troops and Republicans only enthusiastic, but divided, militia volunteers

Alfonso XIII

King of Spain that had little power, who was forced to resign and give power to the Republic in 1931, before the start of the Spanish Civil War

Malaga

Nationalists/Italians eliminated thousands of Republicans in less than a week; evidence of brutal repression of attempted collectivization

“No pasaran”: (They Shall Not Pass)

A slogan proclaimed by Republicans in the Madrid capitol to prevent Franco’s entry. It recalled the determined French Resistance of Verdun in 1916.

International Brigades

Military units of volunteers (mostly from Britain and the United States) who fought to assist the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War

Aragon Campaign

Aided by Italian artillery and tanks and assitance of German condor legion; Franco was able to drive through ASragon and reach the sea; a key turning point

NIC

Non-Intervention Committee set up to restrict the flow of foreign materials into Spain. Ignored by Italy and Germany who circumvented the agreements.

Condor Air Legion

German air force unit of volunteers known for bombing of Guernica, assisted in movement of Nationalist troops and terror bombings

POUM

A Marxist left wing group founded in 1935. they were violently persecuted by the Stalinists that Spanish communists embraced.

Delores Ibarruri

Spanish communist politican that rallied the left, became famous for her slogan “No pasaran”

Mujeres Libres

Rallying cry for women all over Spain to join war efforst. They participated in some fighting and set up hospitals as well as working in factories

George Orwell

British Marxist and writer that fought in the Spanish Civil War and wrote anti-communist works

1938 Labour Charter

Agreement between the workers, farmers and Franco that gave the people the fundamental right to work and better working conditions but made strikes a crime punishable by death

Law of Cortes of 1942

Powerless parliament constituted by Franco, created a facade of constitutional government

Council of State

Franco’s cabinet of advisors who assisted his rule as Caudillo