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What were the Root Causes of the Spanish Civil War

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[[File:662px-Official_Francisco_Franco.jpg|thumbnail|left|General Francisco Franco in 1936]]
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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, some of which will be discussed here. The main cause of the Spanish Civil War, was the failure of Spanish democracy. This was because there was a refusal by the Spanish parties and groups to compromise and respect democratic norms.
The war ====Background====Spain was a result of many factorsvery divided, unstable and weak country in the 19th century. Once a great power, but Spain lost almost the one primary causes last of its colonies after it defeat in the Spanish Civil War -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 failure hands of Spanish democracymilitary dictators. The country was bitterly divided. This failure resulted from the refusal The acute poverty of the Spanish political parties people meant that many were drawn to Communism, Anarchism and groups to compromise 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 respect democratic normswealth.
== Why was Spanish society divided before the Civil War? ==Spain was a very divided, unstableanarchists, socialists and communists were secular and weak country in wanted to remove the 19th century. Once a great power, Spain lost almost the last influence of its colonies after its defeat in the Catholic Church from Spanish-American warsociety.<ref>Vincent, Mary (2007)The elite and the middle class were especially conservative. ''[https://wwwThey dominated the economy and feared that the Communists would confiscate their property.amazon.com/gp/product/0198731590/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0198731590&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=ffee06581c91b4c78b72eef90c3e858f This is typified in the fact that much of the best land in Spain, 1833–2002]''. Oxford, UK; New York: Oxford University Press</ref> It was technically owned by a monarchy, but power had frequently been in relatively small proportion of the hands of military dictatorspopulation. The country was bitterly divided. The Spanish people's acute poverty meant that many were drawn to Communism Furthermore, Anarchismthe wealthy and the middle class, especially in rural society was Catholics and Socialismresisted any idea that there should be a separation of Church in State in Spain. <ref>BeevorLannon, Antony Frances (20061987). ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/014303765X0198219237/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=014303765X0198219237&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=b54b43da8965b066ed125b18696e983b 5cd638cac74ee91552e49fa7893cba18 Privilege, Persecution, and Prophecy: The Battle for Catholic Church in Spain: The Spanish Civil War 1936–1939, 1875–1975]''. LondonOxford, UK: Weidenfield and NicolsonClarendon Press</ref> These ideologies call for popular governments The elite and the re-distribution rich landowners, the ‘agrarian oligarchy’ were terrified of resourcescommunism, such as land and wealthespecially after the Russian Revolution in 1917.
Spanish anarchistsBy 1930, socialists, and communists were secular and wanted to remove the influence of the Catholic Church from Spanish society. The elite Spain was bitterly divided on social and the middle class were especially conservativeideological lines. They dominated the economy Spain was 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 diverse society were Catholics and resisted any idea that there should be a separation of Church in State in Spain.<ref>LannonBeevor, Frances (1987). ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0198219237014303765X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0198219237014303765X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=5cd638cac74ee91552e49fa7893cba18 Privilege, Persecution, and Prophecyb54b43da8965b066ed125b18696e983b The Battle for Spain: The Catholic Church in Spain, 1875–1975Spanish Civil War 1936–1939]''. Oxford, UK: Clarendon Press</ref> There are many areas of the country with strong regional or national identities. Many of the regions in Spain, such as the Catalans, demanded more autonomy or even outright independence from Madrid, such as the Basques. The elite tensions between the regions and the rich landownerscentral government meant that the country was inherently unstable, the ‘agrarian oligarchy’ were terrified of communismas compromise was impossibly, especially after between the Russian Revolution in 1917parties.
By 1930====The Failure of Spanish Government====Spain had been neutral during the First World War. However, Spain was bitterly divided into social and ideological linesthis had not made the country peaceful or prosperous. Spain In the wake of the ending of the WWI, there was and is a diverse societymajor 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> There are 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. 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 areas of in the elite it seemed as if the country was on the brink of Communist revolution. Miguel Primo de Rivera, with strong regional or national identities. Many the support of Spain's regions, such as the Catalansmonarchy and army launched a coup and came to power in 1923, demanded more autonomy or even outright independence from Madrid, such as the Basquesand he became dictator of Spain. The tensions between He was a monarchists and conservative and did nothing to reform the regions country and especially to alleviate the plight of the central government meant that poor.<ref>Beevor, ''Battle for Spain''</ref> De Rivera soon became very unpopular and tensions in the country increased and he was inherently unstableforced to resign. In 1931, as The Spanish monarch resigned. It seemed that Spain had an opportunity to begin a new era and to become a compromise was impossible between the partiestrue democracy, after elections were held.
== Why did the 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 WWI, there was a major economic slump.<ref>Beevor, ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/014303765X/refSecond Republic=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 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 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 armyarmy’’.’’<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.
== What started the Spanish Civil War? ==
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It was clear by 1936 that Spain was on the edge of a major confrontation between the left and the right and between the regions. There began a series of political assassinations. The right openly called for the military to stage a coup to oust the left-wing government, which some saw as only the puppets of the Soviet Union. Much of the Spanish Army was stationed in the country’s last colonies in Morocco.<ref>Beevor, ''Battle for Spain''</ref>
The leftIn response right-wing government believed that the military was too far away from Spain because the government was losing control of the situation and there was fighting between extremists such as the Falange militia and the police on the streets of several cities, resulting in many deaths. Then the Spanish Army Generals, led by General Franco, launched began a coup. They managed to fly their forces, with violent campaign against the assistance of the German left-wing government to Spain. The arrival of regular Spanish units from Morocco on right could not accept that the Spanish mainland Left was the trigger for an all-out war legitimate governments and believed that was they were entitled to use violence means to ‘leave half-a-million people deadsecure their position and interests.’<ref>Preston</ref>
== Conclusion ==The Spanish Countdown to Civil War ====It was caused clear by many factors, including 1936 that Spain was on the edge of a major socio-economic problems, such as poverty confrontation between the left and inequality. However, one of the main causes was all sides’ failure to compromise right and to respect between the rights and opinions regions. There began a series of otherspolitical assassinations. This failure meant that The right openly called for the Second Republic could never provide military to stage a coup to oust the left wing government that could bring stability and prosperity to , which some saw as only the puppets of the countrySoviet Union. Political violence became endemic Much of the Spanish Army was stationed in the country as a consequencecountry’s last colonies in Morocco.<ref>Beevor, and it escalated until it became a full-scale civil war. ''Battle for Spain''</ref>
The left-wing government believed that the military was too far away from Spain because the government was losing control of the situation and there was fighting between the Falange militia and the police on the streets of several cities, resulting in many deaths. Then the Spanish Army Generals, led by General Franco, launched a coup, they managed to fly their forces, with the assistance of the German government to Spain. The arrival of regular Spanish units from Morocco on the Spanish mainland was the trigger for an all-out war that was to ‘leave half-a-million people dead.’<ref>Preston</ref>
 
====Conclusion====
The Spanish Civil War was caused by many factors, including major socio-economic problems, such as poverty and inequality. However, the main cause was all sides’ failure to compromise and to respect the rights and opinions of others. This meant that the Second Republic, could never provide a government that could bring stability and prosperity to the country. Political violence became endemic in the country as a consequence and it escalated until it became a full scale civil war.
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[[Category:Spanish History]] [[Category:Military History]][[Category:European History]] [[Category:20th Century History]]
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Update January 15, 2019
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