La guerre d'Espagne

Summary

The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) was a brutal conflict between the nationalist forces led by General Franco and the Republican government, set against the rise of European fascism. Despite international non-intervention, Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy supported Franco, while the Soviet Union aided the Republicans. The war saw significant civilian suffering, exemplified by the bombing of Guernica, which Picasso famously condemned in his painting. The war ended with Franco's victory, leading to decades of authoritarian rule. The conflict caused immense loss of life and displaced thousands, deeply impacting Spain and neighboring countries.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Spanish Civil War took place between 1936 and 1939, during a time of rising European dictatorships, including Hitler's Germany, Mussolini's Italy, and Stalin's Soviet Union.
• 😀 In France, the Popular Front, a coalition of left-wing parties, won the 1936 elections and came to power, maintaining democracy in the country.
• 😀 Spain became a republic in 1931 but faced political instability, with violent events leading to the rise of the Popular Front in February 1936.
• 😀 In July 1936, General Franco and military officers staged a coup against the republican government, marking the start of the civil war.
• 😀 The war was fought between the Francoists (nationalists, also known as 'blancos') and the Republicans (known as 'rojos'), with the Francoists supported by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy.
• 😀 The Francoists initially controlled parts of Spain, including Galicia and Castile, and by 1939, they had taken control of the entire country, establishing a dictatorship.
• 😀 On April 26, 1937, the German Luftwaffe bombed the Basque town of Guernica at Franco's request, causing massive destruction and loss of life, which was later depicted in Picasso's iconic painting 'Guernica'.
• 😀 Despite the non-intervention policy by the League of Nations, Germany and Italy helped Franco's forces, while thousands of foreign volunteers joined the Republicans in the International Brigades.
• 😀 Major resistance to Franco's forces occurred in cities like Madrid, where fierce street battles took place, and the iconic slogan 'No Pasarán' (They shall not pass) was used to rally the troops.
• 😀 The war resulted in approximately two million deaths, with many refugees fleeing to neighboring countries, particularly France, where they were placed in camps like Rivesaltes.
• 😀 The Spanish Civil War ended in April 1939, and Franco's dictatorship lasted until his death in 1975. Spanish poet Pablo Neruda expressed his support for the Republicans in his poem 'Spain in the Heart'.

Q & A

What was the context in Europe during the Spanish Civil War?

The Spanish Civil War took place between 1936 and 1939, in the context of rising dictatorships across Europe. Hitler had been in power in Germany since 1933, Mussolini in Italy since 1922, and Stalin had been leading the Soviet Union since 1924.

How did the French political situation relate to the Spanish Civil War?

In France, the political climate was polarized between extreme right-wing leagues and the left-wing Popular Front. The Popular Front won the 1936 legislative elections and maintained democracy in France, which indirectly influenced the Spanish Civil War.

What was the political situation in Spain before the Civil War?

Before the Civil War, Spain had become a republic in 1931 but suffered from significant political instability, with frequent violent events. In February 1936, the Spanish Popular Front, a coalition of left-wing parties, won the elections and came to power.

What sparked the Spanish Civil War?

The Spanish Civil War began in July 1936 when General Francisco Franco, supported by officers of the Spanish army, launched a military uprising against the republican government. This marked the start of a civil war that lasted three years.

Who were the main factions in the Spanish Civil War?

The two main factions in the Spanish Civil War were the Francoists (also called Nationalists or Whites), who represented the right-wing and extreme right, and the Republicans (also called Reds), who were made up of left-wing factions.

What role did foreign intervention play in the Spanish Civil War?

Foreign intervention in the Spanish Civil War was significant. Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy supported Franco's Nationalists, while the Soviet Union assisted the Republicans. However, the League of Nations voted for non-intervention, leading to a lack of formal support for the Republic.

What happened in the bombing of Guernica?

On April 26, 1937, the Basque town of Guernica was bombed by Nazi German aircraft, at the request of Franco, during a market day, causing widespread casualties. This bombing became a symbol of the horrors of war and was famously depicted by Pablo Picasso in his painting 'Guernica'.

How did Pablo Picasso respond to the bombing of Guernica?

Pablo Picasso condemned the bombing of Guernica through his monumental painting 'Guernica', which he created between May 1 and June 4, 1937. The painting became a powerful anti-war symbol.

What was the impact of the Spanish Civil War on the population?

The Spanish Civil War caused widespread suffering, with an estimated two million deaths. It also led to the displacement of many, with thousands of refugees, particularly in France, where they faced dire conditions in camps like Rivesaltes.

What was the final outcome of the Spanish Civil War?

The Spanish Civil War ended in April 1939, with the Nationalists, led by Franco, securing total control of Spain. Franco then established a dictatorship that lasted until his death in 1975.