Curso 1. Todo lo que debes saber sobre la guerra civil española

La Guerra Civil de Española

The Spanish Civil War is a pivotal event in the 20th century, deeply dividing Spanish society historically and in memory. It encapsulates the dramatic and irrepeatable nature of the conflict, intertwined with international power dynamics.

The Significance of the Spanish Civil War

• The war began on July 18, 1936, as a military uprising and lasted nearly a thousand days until April 1, 1929, embedded within significant international conflicts.

• For Spaniards, the war represents unprecedented violence, dehumanization of opponents, and diverse memories within families. Internationally, it was viewed as one among many battles during that period.

• Three major interpretations exist for why the Spanish Civil War occurred: structural issues in Spain due to unresolved problems from lack of bourgeois and industrial revolutions; clash between established powers and emerging mass society; global context involving Stalin, Mussolini, and Hitler's rise to power.

Interpretations of the Causes

• One interpretation focuses on Spain's unresolved issues stemming from its historical context lacking bourgeois or industrial revolutions. The emergence of mass society challenged traditional powers like the army and church.

• As mass society demanded democratic rights and better labor conditions, established powers reacted violently through a coup d'état due to their inability to adapt to societal changes seen in other countries post-WWI.

Franquismo y la España Roja

This segment delves into Francoism's roots in Catholicism and nationalism while highlighting contrasting views on Spain's exceptionalism within broader European trends towards dictatorship.

Francoism and Spain's Exceptionalism

• Francoism emerged from Spain's deep ties to Catholicism where attacks on traditional values led to reactions from military forces, church authorities, and conservative factions against what was termed "Red Spain."