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Spanish Civil War: Past Paper Questions (Causes of Spanish Civil War (The…
Spanish Civil War: Past Paper Questions
Causes of Spanish Civil War
'analyse the reasons for, and the results of, either the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) or the Chinese Civil War (1946-1949)'
'assess the importance of religious and economic factors in the origins of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)'
'analyse the principal causes of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)'
'with reference to either the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) or one of the Chinese Civil Wars (1927-1937 or 1946-1949), to what extent was ideology the major cause of conflict?'
'analyse the reasons for, and importance of, foreign intervention in one of the following: the Chinese Civil War (1927-1949); the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939); the Gulf War (1991)'
'with reference to two twentieth century civil wars, to what extent do you agree with the claim that victory was decided by the nature and extent of foreign intervention?'
'assess the extent to which religious causes were an important factor in the origins of either the Spanish Civil War 91936-1939) or the Indo-Pakistan wars (1947-1949, 1965, 1971)'
'assess the importance of economic causes in the origins of either the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) or the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988)'
' "the Spanish Civil War was caused by divisions in Spanish society, not ideology." To what extent do you agree with this statement?'
The Essay
Introduction
roots of conflict Spanish in nature - relating to particular divisions that had developed in the country by early 20th century
between 1931 and 1936, Spain became politically polarised
events of the Second Republic were central in bringing about a situation in which many people thought war was inevitable
Paragraph 1 - Long Term Causes: Regional Divisions
Socioeconomic
Spain was poor and economically backwards
mainly agricultural - not modernised
endemic poverty and high illiteracy rates - created a large gap between the rich and poor
2/3 of population were peasants who worked on large estates -
latifundia
North - more industry (e.g. Barcelona, Madrid)
created large gap between the rich and poor
work was seasonal - lots of migration, poor conditions, starvation, low wages in towns
led to rioting in the countryside - civil guard (army) had to suppress this
poor got no support from church - so looked to anarchists who argued for land redistribution
neutrality during WWI led to an economic boom - this prosperity was short lived, followed by inflation which worsened working class conditions (even more)
Role of the Regions
struggle between centralist state vs Catalonia and Basque regions who wanted autonomy
these areas had their own cultures, churches, languages
therefore wanted independence
Paragraph 2 - Long Term Causes: Political Instability
Weakness of government
since 1871 Spain had had a constitutional monarchy - King as head of State
the King appointed the Prime Minister
PM commanded the Cortes (Parliament)
parliament elected by the Male population
however elections were corrupt
real power lay in the hands of wealthy oligarchs
benefits the ruling classes but not the poor
Role of Spanish Army
powerful due to Spains imperial past
army often intervened in politics
but didn't intervene to save the King in 1931
unpopular due to their brutality
unpopular because army was maintained by taxes
ineffective
they lost the Spanish empire during the 19th century (e.g. Cuba)
lost war to the US in 1898
needed to be reformed
conservative
but 'Africanists' were nationalistic (experienced wars in Morocco)
Role of Church
Catholic Church was rich and powerful
State guaranteed role of church in education
Church used its wealth to gain political influence - opposed to modernisation and supported conservatism
resentment amongst poor led to protests against the church
Political Opposition
Liberals supported revolution that ousted the King in 1931
Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) grew in urban areas in the late 19th century
UGT - organised strikes, protests in Urban areas
moderate socialists led by Preto
Radical socialists led by Caballero
anarchists supported peasant redistribution of land
CNT - anarchist trade union, organised strikes and protests
after Bolshevik revolution a small communist party emerged
Paragraph 3 - Fall of Monarchy and Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera (1928-1930)
King Alfonso XIII (1885-1931) was against modernisation
pressure put on King due to:
military defeat in Morocco
Post WWI depression
12 unsuccessful government between 1918-23
King did not resist De Rivera's coup in 1923
due to military defeats
De Rivera tried to create an authoritarian right wing regime - based on Italian fascism
this undermined the monarchy
Rivera began infrastructure programmes, industrial production developed, ended the war in Morocco
but this ran up massive debts
which were made worse by the Wall Street Crash in 1929
Left wing parties hostile to De Rivera
especially the anarchists and socialists
Socialists wanted to solve issues through discussion - Socialist trade union, UGT
anarchists had violent solutions - anarchist trade union, CNT
De Rivera split the left wing
allowed UGT but banned CNT
this created hostility
De Rivera failed to reform the economy
he didn't give peasants land reform
he withdrew Catalonian rights
he had alienated the poor and the landowners and the army
De Rivera resigned in 1930
King Alfonso abdicated and went into exile
after municipal elections showed support for republicans, liberals, socialists
Church or army did not try to save him
Second Republic declared in April 1931
Paragraph 4 - The Left Republic (April 1931-November 1933)
after King Alfonso's abdication and exile the centre-left won the elections
Asana became president
new constitution declared
Spain became a 'democratic Republic of workers of all classes'
Azalea's Reforms
abolished churches role in education - attempted to separate church and state
reduced the size of the army and a number of military academies were closed
50% of army officers left after being offered retirement with full pay
those who stayed were conservative and nationalistic
meant Azana had inadvertently radicalised the army
Catalonia given a parliament
this angered Right-Wing groups who wanted Spain to be united
allowed land reforms for peasants
Azalea's Reforms Backfired
depression led to
a fall in agricultural prices
peasant unemployment rose
iron and steel production dropped
Caballero lead land redistribution programme
law of 1932 enabled the state to takeover estates
but government didn't have enough money
so only 7,000 families benefited
failure of land reform was central to the failure of the government
left had to deal with civil unrest using brutality (assault guard used)
New Right Party, CEDA, formed in 1933
led by Gil-Robles
formed to defend the church and landowners
January 1933, Azana set fire to houses of anarchists, 25 dead, socialists withdrew their support for the Republicans
Asana resigned in 1933
Paragraph 5 - The Right Republic (November 1933 - February 1936)
CEDA took power
Gil-Robles became war minister
wanted an authoritarian approach to control Spain
this caused the Lefts to unite/cooperate
ruled for 2 years
these years were known as the 'black years/ biennio negro'
reversed the land reforms
violent repressing against the left
anarchist uprising in Asturias in 1934 was crushed by the Right Army
Historians argue that violent suppression increased the likelihood of war
Church regained control over education
Catalonia attempted to proclaim autonomy
they failed
Basques now supported the left
financial instability led to the collapse of the Right Republic in February 1936
February 1936 elections saw the 'Popular Front' win
Popular Front were an anti-fascist group made up of numerous left wing groups
'last attempt to uphold democracy'
Asana regained power
wanted to restart 1931-1933 reforms
no political consensus
Caballero's socialists didn't join the government
the right didn't accept reforms
Anarchists encouraged peasants to seize land and encouraged violence
May 1936, CNT (Anarchist trade union) called a general strike
Immediate Causes
when the left won the February 1936 elections, Gil-Robles used funds to support a military right coup
the murder of popular CEDA leader in 13th July 1936 was a catalyst for the coup
date set for the coup: 18th July 1936
started early on the 17th
because details of the coup were discovered
began in Morocco, then spread mainland
successful in Northern Spain and Andalusia
failed in major industrial areas
meaning both sides reached a deadlock - then the civil war began
coup conspirators made contact with the fascist 'Falange' and monarchist 'Carlists' for support
situation - Spain was politically polarised between groups inspired by Soviets, and groups inspired by Hitler and Mussolini
Course/Results of the Spanish Civil War
'with reference to two civil wars, compare and contrast the importance of ideology in (a) causing the civil war, and (b) attracting outside involvement'
' "the republicans lost the Spanish Civil War because they lacked international support." To what extent do you agree with this statement?'
'Examine the reasons for the Nationalist victory in the Spanish civil war'
The Course
1936
Nationalist military (led by Franco) hoped to capture Spain in weeks
failed
half of the army was loyal to the Republicans
by August
the Nationalists held most of Northern Spain
the Republican government controlled the South
both sides appealed for foreign aid
British and French followed policy of non-intervention
this favoured the Nationalists and hindered the Republicans
Nationalists could still get materials from other nations
blocked the purchase of foreign goods for the Republicans
Nationalists - Germany and Italy provided financial and material aid
German transport planes helped transport Franco's troops from Morocco to Spain
Republicans - USSR sent limited aid in comparison to Germany and Italy
Nationalists failure to capture Madrid prolonged the war - called off their offensive in November
October - Franco appointed head of Nationalist government in Spain
Most of Spanish gold reserves had been sent to USSR in exchange for military equipment
this transfer of gold led to increased inflation in Republican zones
1937
February - Nationalists began offensive at Jarama and Guadalajara with the aim of capturing Madrid
both offensives failed and had massive casualties
March - Nationalists attacked Basque
April - Guernica bombed by German condor legion
Basque morale collapsed
industry now in hands of Nationalists
April - Franco merged Carlists, Falange and other groups into a single Nationalist movement
unity was a strength
Republican side full of disorder and divisions
May - Communists fought Anarchists (proof of Republican division)
1938
April - Nationalists had reached Mediterranean
Franco had now split Republican Spain into two - isolated Catalonia
1939
after 2 and a half years of resistance, Republicans collapsed rapidly during the first 3 months of 1939
January - Nationalists occupied Barcelona
March - Nationalists occupied Madrid
marked the end of the war
April 1st Franco declared the end of the war
The Essay: Foreign Intervention
Introduction
Spanish Civil War born out of internal Spanish disputes, but it took an international character
Spanish Civil War came to mirror political disputes occurring in Europe between Fascism and Communism
ideology played a significant role in foreign intervention
Paragraph 1 - German and Italian Intervention
both didn't want a new communist government
Germany
sent 16,000 men, 200 tanks and 600 planes
German Condor Legion
activities became infamous (e.g. bombing of Guernica in 1937)
the most efficient and influential assistance the Nationalists received
air superiority was decisive to the nationalist victory
German transport planes helped transport Franco's troops from Morocco to Spain
Civil War was a way for Germany to prep for WWII
could test new planes and tanks
could test blitzkrieg tactics
helped enhance Germany's military glory and reputation
'a playing ground' to the preface of the actual war
Italy
glory not as important
sent 75,000 men, 150 tanks and 660 aircrafts
sent more than Germany but it wasn't as influential (no Condor Legion)
result: strengthened the alliance between Italy and Germany
both felt encouraged to be more aggressive in their foreign policy (due to the non-intervention of the West)
Paragraph 2 - Britain and France
By August 1936
Nationalists held most of Northern Spain
Republicans controlled the South
Both sides appealed for foreign aid
Nationalists received aid
Republicans received limited aid (only from USSR)
Britain and France employed a policy of non-intervention
tried (with little success) to prevent foreign support for either side
US also followed this policy
result:
prevented Republicans from purchasing arms openly
harmed its ability to resist the Nationalist threat
Nationalists could still get materials and financial aid from other nations
blocked the purchase of foreign goods for the Republic
Paragraph 3 - USSR
Russia sent only 2,500 men, 1,000 planes and 900 tanks
helped for ideological reasons
didn't want the emergence of another fascist power - Stalin was afraid
support was less substantial than that of Germany and Italy
withdrew support in 1938
to gain the aid of the USSR, the Republicans had to send most of the Spanish Gold Reserves to them in exchange for military equipment
transfer of gold led to an increase in inflation in Republican zones
Britain and Frances policy of non-intervention led to the USSR losing sympathy for the West
increased fear over Germany
International Brigades
many in Europe stood for freedom, democracy, enlightenment vs fascism
justified their involvement after massacres such as Guernica
50,000 + international brigades made up of male volunteers who opposed the spread of fascism
mainly communists - came from different countries (e.g. France, Germany, Britain and USA)
withdrew in October 1938
position of the Republic became desperate
Republicans were left with no allies
Nationalists had stronger international support
Historiography
Antony Beever:
'it had become enmeshed in the international civil war, which started in earnest with the Bolshevik revolution'
The Essay: Why Did Nationalists Win
Introduction
by 1936, Spain was politically polarised
the country was divided between
Republicans (who supported newly elected Popular Front)
Nationalists (who wished to see a change in power)
Nationalists were victorious due to
the amount of resistance received by Germany and Italy
the weaknesses of the Republicans
Republicans lacked common purpose or a sense of unity
Paragraph 1 - Foreign Aid
German aid was crucial - especially the Condor Legion
Condor Legion airlifted Franco's troops from Morocco to Spain at the start of the war
rapid mobilisation
bombed civilian towns - e.g. Guernica in 1937
Italians sent 70,000 men and supplies of tanks/planes
combination of 2 external forces against weak Republicans
caused Nationalists to inflict major losses
Civil war merely a 'testing ground' for Germany
still a key factor in nationalist victory
Paragraph 2 - Non-intervention
US/France/Britain followed a 'non-intervention' policy - isolationist
Germany and Italy had signed the non-intervention pact in August 1936
ignored this pact
USSR participated for ideological reasons - didn't give as much aid as Germany
International brigades relatively weak - effectively withdrew by 1938
Paragraph 3 - Weak Republican Military and Economy
Africanists, experienced military personnel, were on the Nationalist side
Republicans economically weak
Republicans dried up gold reserves trying to pay USSR for their aid
caused an increase in inflation
Access to supplies:
Nationalists could still trade with their allied nations (Germany and Italy)
Republicans faced a blocked - couldn't import raw goods or materials
Nationalists controlled large portions of agricultural land - could feed their armies
lack of resources, food and military supplies hindered the Republican effort
Leadership
Nationalists
led by Franco
Franco had the expertise to lead large amounts of troops in a war (from his experience in Morocco)
Republicans had no clearly defined or experienced military leader
Republicans lacked cohesion and organisation
Paragraph 4 - Internal Division within the Republicans
Communists, socialists and anarchists fought for the same side
but not for the same cause
e,g, May Days 1937
factions of Republican party took part in street fighting against one another in Barcelona
no political unity
POUM (Marxists) and CNT (anarchist trade union) had vastly different goals
if a Republican victory had happened, they wouldn't have agreed on how to run the country
Paper 3
'analyse the reasons for the weakness and collapse of democracy between 1918 and 1939 in either Italy or Spain'
' "the contribution of foreign powers to Franco's victory in the Spanish Civil War has been greatly exaggerated." To what extent do you agree with this statement?'
'in what ways, and to what extent, did social and religious divisions lead to civil war in Spain in 1936?'
'Analyse the causes and results of the Spanish Civil War'
'to what extent was the Spanish Civil War caused by divisions in Spain and in Spanish society?'
'what were the results of the Spanish Civil War for Spain and for Europe?'
Paper 2
'analyse the causes of either the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) or the Falklands/Malvinas War (1982).'
'analyse the reasons for, and the results of, either the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) or the Chinese Civil War (1946-1949).'
analyse the principal causes of either the Algerian War (1954-1962) or the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)'
'To what extent did foreign involvement affect the outcome of either the Spanish Civil war (1936-1939) or the Vietnam War?'
'Analyse the causes of one of the following: the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939); the Arab-Israeli wars (1948/9 and 1956); the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970)'
'examine the impact of foreign intervention of either the Chinese Civil War or the Spanish Civil War'
'compare and contrast the reasons for, and impact of, foreign involvement in two of the following: Russian Civil War; Spanish Civil War; Korean War'
Russian civil war is no longer a 'named example - will not come up in an exam question
'analyse the causes of either the Spanish civil War or the Korean War'
'examine the impact of foreign intervention on either the Chinese Civil War or the Spanish Civil War'