HACIA LA GUERRA CIVIL 6. EL DESASTRE DE ANNUAL (1/5). ANTECEDENTES

HACIA LA GUERRA CIVIL 6. EL DESASTRE DE ANNUAL (1/5). ANTECEDENTES

Introduction to the Annual Disaster of 1921

The speaker introduces the topic of the Annual Disaster of 1921 and mentions the previous discussion on the revolutionary general strike in Madrid.

Background of the Annual Disaster

  • Governments in this period were short-lived, lasting only a few months.
  • There were coalition governments involving various political parties, including regionalists.
  • The king called for party involvement to save the regime.

Barcelona's Turbulent Times

  • In 1919, Barcelona experienced a major strike known as the "Huelga de la Canadiense" by workers of an electric company.
  • The strike lasted three months and led to a state of war being declared in Catalonia.
  • General Milán del Bosch assumed power and military control in Barcelona.

Escalating Anarchist Violence

  • Anarchist violence reached high levels during this time.
  • In March 1921, Prime Minister Eduardo Dato was assassinated by anarchists.
  • This marked the third assassination of a prime minister during King Alfonso XIII's reign.

Spain's Involvement in Morocco

The speaker discusses Spain's involvement in Morocco and its consequences leading up to the Annual Disaster.

Spanish Protectorate in Northern Morocco

  • In 1906, Spain committed to a protectorate agreement with other world powers for a northern strip of Morocco.
  • This commitment was made under pressure from global powers.

First Melilla War (1909)

  • Spain engaged in its first conflict near Melilla, expanding its presence around Nador through mining activities.
  • Local tribes showed both support and opposition to Spanish expansion.

General Marina and the Battle at Barranco del Lobo

  • General Marina led Spanish troops during battles against Moroccan rebels.
  • On July 25th, 1909, at Barranco del Lobo, a disastrous battle resulted in the death, injury, or disappearance of thousands of Spanish soldiers.
  • General Marina himself died during this battle.

Moving to Africa and the Annual Disaster

The speaker transitions to discussing events in Africa leading up to the Annual Disaster and mentions the need for multiple videos to cover all aspects.

Spain's Division in the Protectorate

  • The Spanish protectorate was divided into three commandancies: Ceuta, Melilla, and Larache.
  • Each commandancy was led by a general.

Dámaso Berenguer's Role

  • General Dámaso Berenguer served as the Comisario General (Commissioner General) of the protectorate in 1921.
  • He later became significant in Spanish history as a dictator after Primo de Rivera's exile.

Conclusion

The transcript provides an introduction to the Annual Disaster of 1921 and discusses Spain's involvement in Morocco. It highlights Barcelona's turbulent times, escalating anarchist violence, and the first Melilla War. Additionally, it mentions key figures such as General Marina and Dámaso Berenguer. Further details about these topics can be found by referring to specific timestamps provided in each section.

General de Melilla and the Mobilization of Spanish Soldiers

This section discusses the mobilization of Spanish soldiers in response to the disaster at Barranco del Lobo. It highlights the protests during the "Semana Trágica" and the creation of regular units and indigenous police forces.

  • The mobilization of Spanish soldiers in a short period of time, including those who were already leading normal lives, led to protests during the "Semana Trágica".
  • The Spanish army recognized the importance of having native troops familiar with the terrain and motivated by defending their own region. This led to the creation of regular units composed of native Rif personnel under Spanish officers.
  • These regular units proved loyal to the Spanish troops, unlike some indigenous police forces that later sided with rebellious Riffians.

Formation of Regular Units and Lieutenant Francisco Franco

This section focuses on the formation of regular units in 1912 and introduces Lieutenant Francisco Franco, who would later become a prominent figure in Spain's military history.

  • In addition to regular units created in 1912, there were previous campaigns in Ceuta, Melilla, Larache, and other areas. It was during this time that Lieutenant Francisco Franco gained experience.
  • Lieutenant Franco's cautious nature is highlighted by his habit of sleeping with a pistol due to mistrust even towards his own troops.
  • The mention is made about Lieutenant Colonel Millán Astray and his portrayal in Alejandro Amenábar's film as an example of how anyone could redeem themselves by joining foreign legion regardless of their past.

The Foreign Legion and its Recruitment Policy

This section discusses the establishment of the Foreign Legion as a copycat version of the French Foreign Legion, which allowed individuals from any country or background to join.

  • The Foreign Legion was established in 1920 and offered a chance for redemption to individuals regardless of their past. It promised an honorable death and glory after committing previous mistakes.
  • The Legion attracted recruits from various countries and backgrounds, providing a strict discipline.
  • Lieutenant Colonel Villanueva Strick and Commander Franco were part of the Legion, with Franco already holding the rank of commander by 1920.

Spain's Political Situation and Responsibilities in Africa

This section highlights Spain's delicate political situation during this time, as well as its responsibilities in Africa due to the Algeciras Conference.

  • Spain faced a complex political situation and had the responsibility of maintaining control over its protectorate imposed by the Algeciras Conference.
  • Despite limited resources, Spain attempted to sustain its presence without relying too heavily on France for assistance.
  • General Silvestre's ambition for personal glory may have led him to advance rapidly without securing proper lines of communication.

Deployment of Troops and Weaknesses

This section discusses General Silvestre's deployment strategy and his vulnerability due to spreading troops too thin along what he considered the front line.

  • General Silvestre deployed numerous troops along what he believed was the front line, which would later prove to be his weakness.
  • The upcoming video will delve into the campaign itself, which lasted approximately one to one-and-a-half months.

Overview of the Annual Disaster

In this section, the speaker discusses the Annual disaster and highlights the importance of referring to reliable sources for information on the topic.

The Importance of Reliable Sources

  • The speaker emphasizes the need to approach the topic of the Annual disaster with caution.
  • The best source for information on this topic is the Picasso file, which contains accounts from military personnel who were involved in or witnessed the events.
  • The military personnel themselves criticize and acknowledge what happened during the Annual campaign.

Military Accounts of the Annual Disaster

This section focuses on how military accounts provide valuable insights into what transpired during the Annual disaster.

Insights from Military Accounts

  • The own military personnel provide a trustworthy and credible source of information about what occurred during the Annual campaign.
  • These accounts not only describe what happened but also offer criticism and praise for their fellow comrades who lost their lives during the campaign.
Video description

En marzo de 1921 unos anarquistas acaban con la vida del presidente del Consejo de Ministros, Eduardo Dato. En la Comandancia General de Melilla, el general Silvestre avanza rápidamente estableciendo posiciones y extendiendo cada vez más sus líneas de comunicación. Síganos en Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoaqunRiveraCh1 Visite nuestro blog: https://jrivera24078.wixsite.com/misitio/blognamiljoaquinriverachamorro Amazon América: https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Joaqu%C3%ADn-Rivera-Chamorro/e/B08LBVP462/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1 Amazon España: https://www.amazon.es/Joaqu%C3%ADn-Rivera-Chamorro/e/B08LBVP462/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1