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Long Term Causes of the Spanish Civil War (Political Divisions (There was…
Long Term Causes of the Spanish Civil War
Political issues:
Spain had been a constitutional monarchy since 1871.Therefore there was a king who was head of state and an elected prime minister.However, the real power lied in the hands of the wealthy oligarchs.These oligarchs' groups were the Conservatives and the Liberals.
The army had historically intervened in politics in Spain.The army retained a powerful position.But the army was unpopular with the Spanish people,hugely expensive,was way too big for post-imperial Spain and was known for it's great brutality.
Politcally the army was Conservative but some like the 'Africanistas' were deeply nationalistic.
Regionalism
The Centralist state opposed the demands for autonomy from Catalonia and the Basque regions,which wanted decentralization and independence.
There were also economic strains between the regions and central government. because most of Spain's key industries were concentrated in the Catalan and Basque regions.
Socio-political Tensions:
The Catholic Church's power and political influence led to many disputes between the church and state throughout the 19th Century
The Church had used it's wealth and position to gain political and social influence and used the education system to promote social,political and economic conservatism.This was opposed to liberals and modernizing forces.The aristocracy and upper class had to close ties with the church.In many urban areas there were protests against the church.The middle-class was also in favor of limiting the Church's power.
Economic problems:
Spain was primarily an agricultural economy.Therefore agricultural labor was the main source of employment.This was HIGHLY inefficient and most agricultural work was seasonal.
Most rural workers were constantly migrating to find work and the majority lived in poverty.
Most of the northern workers turned to radical political groups such as the anarchists.
Workers in urbanized cities,like the rural poor,had low standard of living due to low wages,long hours,unregulated working conditions,poor housing and limited to no welfare provision.
The industrialized areas led to the growth of trade unionism and their main tool to gain concessions were strike action.Not only that but the unions were also divided by between anarchists and socialist groups.
In the south and center of Spain there were vast landed estates,the Latifundia,owned by the Grandees.This elite group also dominated the political system.
North of the country owned small plots of land and were often only adequate of living standard.
These divisions of socio-economic classes led to frequent rioting and disputes.
Between 1914 and 1918 there were economic shortages and inflation that led to the working class-living standard to decline further.
Political Divisions
There was a Liberal movement in Spain,mainly supported by the educated middle classes.They remained a political force in Spain in the 1920s.In the lates 19th century the PSOE had developed urban areas but it had limited impact.
The more moderate Socialists were led by Indalecio Prieto and the more radical groups were led by Largo Caballero.
There was a small Spanish Communist Party.
The Anarchist were a major political group in Spain.The anarchists were popular in the countryside due to their demand for the redistribution of land and they also had established trade unions of Spain.Their trade union was active on organizing strikes and protests.
The extreme anarchist faction (FAI) carried out bombings and assassinations.