Spanish Civil War & Francoism

4/4 lectures in the BCN history final

What major social inequality contributed to political polarization before the Civil War?

70% of land was owned by only 2% of the population, creating deep class divisions

Political trend in Spain (1931–1936)

An 'epidemic of divisions' marked by ideological fragmentation and failed reforms.

Military trauma before 1936

The 1898 Disaster, the loss of Spain’s empire, which led to a military ideology obsessed with unity and anti-separatism.

Election outcome 1931

Progressive parties won, leading to the Reformist First Biennium.

Election outcome 1933

Conservatives (CEDA) won, resulting in counter-reforms and unrest.

Election outcome 1936

The Popular Front won narrowly, heightening instability.

Assassination that sparked the military coup (1936)

• July 12: Falangist Jorge Bardina kills Lt. José Castillo

• July 13: Monarchist José Calvo Sotelo is executed in retaliation

Leader of military insurrection (July 19, 1936)

General Emilio Mola, who called for harsh repression.

Franco's ascension to power

After generals Sanjurjo (July 20) and Mola (June 3, 1937) died in plane crashes, Franco became the sole military leader and was appointed head of state by the National Defense Junta.

Years of the Spanish Civil War

1936–1939.

Ideologies on the Republican side

Communists, socialists, anarchists, democrats, and liberals.

Ideologies on the Nationalist side

Fascists (Falangists), monarchists, conservatives, Catholics, and militarists.

Countries supporting Franco’s Nationalists

Italy (Mussolini), Germany (Hitler), and Portugal (Salazar).

Foreign support for the Republic

Soviet Union, Mexico, and international brigades of volunteers.

Famous writer who fought in Barcelona

George Orwell, author of 'Homage to Catalonia' (1938)

Role of Emma Goldman

Influential anarchist thinker and editor of the CNT-FAI English-language newsletter.

Barcelona events (July 19–20, 1936)

Workers’ militias (CNT), Civil Guard, and loyal troops defeated Nationalist forces, taking control of the city and seizing 50,000 rifles.

Social transformation after July 1936 in Barcelona

CNT and UGT collectivized public services and industries, creating a revolutionary order.

Mujeres Libres

A feminist-anarchist organization promoting education, autonomy, and participation in the revolution.

Las Trece Rosas

Thirteen young socialist women executed on August 5, 1939, symbolizing Francoist repression.

Fets de Maig (May Events) of 1937

Armed clashes reflecting ideological conflict between communist and anarchist factions.

Strategic disagreement in May 1937

Communists prioritized winning the war first; anarchists believed that revolution would help win the war.

Fate of POUM leader Andreu Nin

Arrested and assassinated by Soviet counter-espionage forces.

Soldier count for each side (early war, 1936)

Republican militia had ~450,000; Nationalist forces had ~58,000.

Forms of repression under Franco (1939–1975)

• Suppression of democracy

• Ban on minority languages (including Catalan)

• Court of Public Order (≈400,000 imprisoned)

• Forced labor camps

• Mass child theft (30,000–300,000 cases)

Valley of the Fallen

A Francoist mausoleum built with forced labor, inaugurated on April 1, 1959. Franco was buried there until 2019.

Via Laietana No. 43 under Franco

Headquarters of the Francoist secret police, received FBI/CIA training in 1953.

Law shaping Spain’s memory politics (post-Franco)

1977 Amnesty Law, part of the 'Pact of Forgetting,' blocking prosecution of Francoist crimes.