Spanish Civil War

The Spanish Civil War was a violent conflict that took place in Spain between 1936 and 1939. A civil war is a war fought between groups within the same country. In Spain, the war began after years of political tension and disagreement over how the country should be governed. The fighting divided Spanish society and affected cities, towns, and rural areas across the country.

Before the war, Spain was a republic, which means the country was governed without a king. The government was called the Second Spanish Republic. Many political groups existed, including liberals, conservatives, socialists, and anarchists. These groups often disagreed about religion, land ownership, workers’ rights, and the role of the military. These disagreements led to instability and frequent changes in government.

In July 1936, part of the Spanish military attempted to overthrow the republic. This action began the war. The country split into two main sides. The Republicans supported the existing government. They included left-wing parties, trade unions, and some regional groups. The Nationalists opposed the republic. They were led by military officers and included conservative groups, monarchists, and others who wanted strong central control.

The war quickly spread across Spain. Both sides formed armies and controlled different regions. Several foreign countries became involved. Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy provided military support to the Nationalists. The Soviet Union supported the Republicans. Volunteers from many countries also joined the fighting, forming groups known as the International Brigades. These were military units made up of foreign volunteers.

The Spanish Civil War was marked by heavy fighting and damage to cities and infrastructure. Infrastructure means basic systems such as roads, bridges, and buildings. Air attacks were used during the war, including the bombing of towns. One well-known event was the bombing of Guernica in 1937, which caused widespread destruction and civilian deaths.

In 1939, the Nationalists defeated the Republicans. Their leader, Francisco Franco, became head of state and ruled Spain for many years. The war ended with a unified but deeply damaged country. Spain did not take part in World War II that followed soon after, but the effects of the civil war influenced Spanish politics and society for decades.