Causes of the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939

Causes of the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939

1. Popular Front Feb-July 1936

   • C.E.D.A ruling
   • Want to grant amnesty to the Asturias
   • Switching of what the Right Wing Republic
   • More polarization in Spain
   • Very evenly split election
     • They dont have an outright majority
   • Weak party, the cabinet is middle class left leaning republicans
   • Problems
     • Growth in disorder and political violence
       • Francisco Caballero (PSOE), modelled himself on Lenin
     • Weakness of the government
     • Increasing political polarisation
     • Radicalisation of the Right
       • The Falange- beating up the C.E.D.A for being too moderate The use of Nazi policies. Very militaristic
     • Radicalisation of the Left
   • Allows the extreme left to the take over Extremadura
   • General strikes
   • Church attacks
   • Army as opposition
     • Start plotting a coup with the head of General Sanjurjo
       • Relying on, C.E.D.A, Falange and the Carlists
         • Mistake of the Government sending Emilio Mola to the part of Spain where the Carlists are strongest
   • 15th July 36 kidnap and murder of Calvo Sotello
   • Right wing incitement
   • 12th July 36 murder of Jose del Castillo

2. Right Wing Republic Nov 1933-Feb 1936

   • A reversal of the social reforms
   • Oct 1934 Gil-Robles (C.E.D.A) joins Gout
   • Oct 1934 Revolution
   • Asturias uprising 1934
   • Formation of Popular Front Nov 1935

3. Left wing Republic June 1931-Nov 1933

   • Abdication of Alfonso XIII (April 1931)
   • Social Reforms 1931-33
   • Aug 1932 General Sanjurjo uprising (right wing)
   • Global economic situation post 1929
   • Increasing trade union action strikes 1932-
   • Formation of the C.E.D.A
   • Formation of Falange Oct 1933
   • Rise of Fascism in Europe (Italy and Germany)

4. Triggers

   • 17th July 1936 military coup launched in Spanish north Morocco
   • 18th July 1936 coup spreads to mainland Spain
   • Military coup fails