The causes of the civil war itself were peculiar to Spain.

The Spanish Civil

M90

The causes of the civil war itself were peculiar to Spain. The background against which the war erupted was as follows:

During 1920’s, Spain was ruled by a king. Due to the great depression which led to economic collapse and big unemployment in Spain, the king abdicated in 1931 and Spain became a republic. The government faced risings from provinces within Spain demanding independence. There were also a lot of strikes and rebellions from left wing and socialist groups.

Spain also lost her empire during the same time. Internal conflicts also led to the war. For instance, there was a conflict between wealth landowners who owned a lot of land and landless peasants who worked as casual labourers and earned very low wages. Secondly, the Roman Catholic Church was very influential in Spain. It was wealthy and opposed social reform. As a result several anti-clerical groups emerged. These groups wanted to confiscate the church’s property. In the process, a lot of church property as destroyed and priests were killed.

Thirdly, the army also played a key role in the cause of the war. The army was used to interfering in today politics. There was even an attempt at a military coup in 1932.

Fourthly, violence was common in Spanish politics. Democracy was not appreciated. Most parties were not willing to accept defeat in an election and often resorted to violence. Governments also tended to be corrupt. As a result, Spaniards undermined democracy and were more willing to accept an authoritarian government as long as it promised not to be corrupt.

Fifthly, some regions of Spain, like Basque and Catalonia ...

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Thirdly, the army also played a key role in the cause of the war. The army was used to interfering in today politics. There was even an attempt at a military coup in 1932.

Fifthly, some regions of Spain, like Basque and Catalonia wanted either full independence or autonomy.

Sixthly, there was a strong anarchist movement in Spain. This movement was unwilling to support any government in Spain. In addition to these factors, the republic government of 1930-36 was weak. It failed to bring about reforms needed to gain loyalty of the Spaniards. The government also failed to maintain law and order and this let to anarchy. Furthermore it failed to control the army. The army felt that unless they took over, a communist government would come into being. The army generals revolted against the government with the war beginning in the army based in morocco in 1936. Although this was a Spanish war, it soon became an European affair.

As the war erupted, it was indirectly joined by other European countries.

The big European countries soon joined the war. During this time, there were three main political forces in Europe.

Fascism> Germany and Italy
Communism> USSR
Bourgeois Democracy- Britain + France

These forces were struggling for supremacy in Europe. The fascist group supported rebels led by General Franscisco Franco. He was also supported by the Catholic Church. The Soviet Union aided the loyalists (Republicans). Britain and France also sympathised with this group. The USSR supplied them with arms and ammunition. Italian troops helped the nationalists (Franco’s group) and Germany supplied them with arms and ammunition.

The causes of the civil war itself were peculiar to Spain.

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