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In July of 1936, the The Spanish Civil War began and rapidly turned into was one of the bloodiest conflicts during the wars in Twentieth Century in Europe. The war was not simply a Spanish affair , but drew in other several other nations, including Italy, Portugal, Germany, and the Soviet Union. The war was a result of many factors, but the one primary some of which will be discussed here. The main cause of the Spanish Civil War , was the failure of Spanish democracy. This failure was because there was a result of the refusal by the Spanish political parties and groups to compromise and respect democratic norms.

== Why was Spanish society divided before the Civil War? ==Background====Spain was a very divided, unstable, and weak country in the 19th century. Once a great power, Spain lost almost the last of its colonies after its it defeat in the Spanish-American war.<ref>Vincent, Mary (2007). ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0198731590/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0198731590&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=ffee06581c91b4c78b72eef90c3e858f Spain, 1833–2002]''. Oxford, UK; New York: Oxford University Press</ref> It was technically a monarchy, but power had frequently been in the hands of military dictators. The country was bitterly divided. The acute poverty of the Spanish people's acute poverty meant that many were drawn to Communism, Anarchism, and Socialism. <ref>Beevor, Antony (2006). ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/014303765X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=014303765X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=b54b43da8965b066ed125b18696e983b The Battle for Spain: The Spanish Civil War 1936–1939]''. London, UK: Weidenfield and Nicolson</ref> These ideologies call for popular governments and the re-distribution of resources, such as land and wealth.

Spanish anarchists, socialists, and communists were secular and wanted to remove the influence of the Catholic Church from Spanish society. The elite and the middle class were especially conservative. They dominated the economy and feared that the Communists would confiscate their property. This is typified in the fact that much of the best land in Spain was owned by a relatively small proportion of the population. Furthermore, the wealthy and the middle class, especially in rural society were was Catholics and resisted any idea that there should be a separation of Church in State in Spain.<ref>Lannon, Frances (1987). ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0198219237/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0198219237&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=5cd638cac74ee91552e49fa7893cba18 Privilege, Persecution, and Prophecy: The Catholic Church in Spain, 1875–1975]''. Oxford, UK: Clarendon Press</ref> The elite and the rich landowners, the ‘agrarian oligarchy’ were terrified of communism, especially after the Russian Revolution in 1917.

By 1930, Spain was bitterly divided into on social and ideological lines. Spain was and is a diverse society.<ref>Beevor, ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/014303765X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=014303765X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=b54b43da8965b066ed125b18696e983b The Battle for Spain: The Spanish Civil War 1936–1939]''</ref> There are many areas of the country with strong regional or national identities. Many of the regions in Spain's regions, such as the Catalans, demanded more autonomy or even outright independence from Madrid, such as the Basques. The tensions between the regions and the central government meant that the country was inherently unstable, as a compromise was impossible impossibly, between the parties.

== Why did the ==The Failure of Spanish Government fail in 1931? ====Spain had been neutral during the First World War. However, this had not made the country peaceful or prosperous. In the wake of the ending of the WWI, there was a major economic slump.<ref>Beevor, ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/014303765X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=014303765X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=b54b43da8965b066ed125b18696e983b The Battle for Spain: The Spanish Civil War 1936–1939]''</ref> The working class and the rural poor suffered greatly at this time and they began to organize themselves and they were often led by Communists, and Anarchists often led them. At this time, the Trade Unions in Spain became very strong, and there were widespread strikes. In the countryside, impoverished peasants began to seize land. To many in the elite it seemed as if the country was on the brink of Communist revolution. Miguel Primo de Rivera, with the support of the monarchy and army launched a coup and came to power in 1923, and he became dictator of Spain. He was a monarchists and conservative and did nothing to reform the country and especially to alleviate the plight of the poor.<ref>Beevor, ''Battle for Spain''</ref> De Rivera soon became very unpopular and tensions in the country increased and he was forced to resign. In 1931, The Spanish monarch resigned. It seemed that Spain had an opportunity to begin a new era and to become a true democracy, after elections were held.

To many in the elite, it seemed as if the country was on the brink of the Communist revolution. With the support of the monarchy and army, Miguel Primo de Rivera launched a coup and came to power in 1923, and he became dictator of Spain. He was a monarchist and conservative and did nothing to reform the country and especially to alleviate the plight of the poor.<ref>Beevor, ''Battle for Spain''</ref> De Rivera soon became very unpopular, and tensions in the country increased, and he was forced to resign. In 1931, The Spanish monarch resigned. It seemed that Spain had an opportunity to begin a new era and to become a real democracy after elections were held. == What was the ==Second Republic of Spain? ====A new constitution was introduced in 1931 ad it was a liberal document that guaranteed human rights and basic freedoms. The Constitution also separated the Church and State. The state Elections were again held elections again in 1932. In the first elections under the Constitution in 1933, an alliance of right-wing and center-right parties came to power. Despite the establishment of democracy, there was no stability.<ref>Paul Preston (2012). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393345912/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0393345912&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=fc45d15b83a9c9cf0ca5218641839bc6 The Spanish Holocaust: Inquisition and Extermination in Twentieth-Century Spain]</i>. London, UK: HarperCollins</ref> This was partly a result of the economic consequences caused by the Great Depression. The left, including the Communists and the Trade Unions, continued to press for their agendas.<ref>Beevor, ''[http://%5Bhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/014303765X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=014303765X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=b54b43da8965b066ed125b18696e983b%20The%20Battle%20for%20Spain:%20The%20Spanish%20Civil%20War%201936–1939%5D Battle for Spain]''</ref> They sought the nationalization of industry and the redistribution of land to the poor. The first democratically elected government was constantly undermined by General Strikes and local left-wing revolts constantly undermined the first democratically elected government.  In particular, there was a revolt by miners in Asturias, which was suppressed by the army. The left could not simply abide by the outcome of the election, and instead of achieving their goals by constitutional means, they opted for violent methods. <ref>Vincent, Mary (2007). ''Spain, 1833–2002''. Oxford, UK; New York: Oxford University Press</ref>[[File: Bundesarchiv_Bild_102-11543,_Madrid,_Ausrufung_der_Zweiten_Spanischen_Republik.jpg|thumbnail|left|The proclamation of the Second Republic in Madrid]]The A weakened government eventually collapsed, and new elections were called for 1936. The General Election saw a victory for a left-wing alliance of parties, including Communists, Anarchists, and Socialists. Regional parties This government was also supported this governmentby regional parties. They immediately launched an ambitious program of reforms, especially land reform, to meet the ‘expectations of the urban and rural poorpoor’,’ which alienated that antagonize many in the Spanish eliteselite.<ref>Preston, 7.</ref> Many Spaniards believed that a communist revolution was imminent.

“They eyed with mounting alarm the red flags and banners and portraits of Lenin, Stalin, and Largo Caballero on huge placards, and listened to the chanting of the demonstrators, demanding the formation of a proletarian government and a people’s army’’.<ref> Beevor, 124.</ref> In response, right-wing extremists such as the Falange militia began a violent campaign against the left-wing government. The right could not accept that the Left was the legitimate government and believed that they were entitled to use violence to secure their position and interests.

The In response right-wing extremists such as the Falange militia began a violent campaign against the left-wing government . The right could not accept that the Left was the legitimate governments and believed that the military they were entitled to use violence means to secure their position and interests. ====Countdown to Civil War====It was too far away from clear by 1936 that Spain because was on the government was losing control edge of a major confrontation between the situation left and there was fighting between the Falange militia right and between the police on the streets regions. There began a series of several cities, resulting in many deathspolitical assassinations. Then The right openly called for the Spanish Army Generals, led by General Franco, launched military to stage a coup. They managed to fly their forcesoust the left wing government, with which some saw as only the assistance puppets of the German government to SpainSoviet Union. The arrival Much of regular Spanish units from Morocco on the Spanish mainland Army was stationed in the trigger for an all-out war that was to ‘leave half-a-million people deadcountry’s last colonies in Morocco.’<ref>PrestonBeevor, ''Battle for Spain''</ref>

== Conclusion ==The Spanish Civil War left-wing government believed that the military was too far away from Spain because the government was caused by many factors, including major socio-economic problems, such as poverty and inequality. However, one losing control of the main causes situation and there was all sides’ failure to compromise fighting between the Falange militia and to respect the rights and opinions police on the streets of othersseveral cities, resulting in many deaths. This failure meant that Then the Second Republic could never provide Spanish Army Generals, led by General Franco, launched a coup, they managed to fly their forces, with the assistance of the German government that could bring stability and prosperity to Spain. The arrival of regular Spanish units from Morocco on the country. Political violence became endemic in Spanish mainland was the country as trigger for an all-out war that was to ‘leave half-a consequence, and it escalated until it became a full-scale civil warmillion people dead. ’<ref>Preston</ref>