HACIA LA GUERRA CIVIL 2. EL ORIGEN DE LOS GENERALES DE LOS AÑOS 30

Introduction

The video is dedicated to the generations of military personnel, specifically focusing on the military leadership involved in the 1936 uprising and their loyalty to the Republican government. The official start of the Spanish Civil War is mentioned as July 18, 1936.

Background on Military Generals

To understand the role of these generals, it is important to look at two key periods: the establishment of the General Military Academy in Spain until 1882 and the division of the army into cavalry and infantry branches, with support from artillery and engineering corps.

• The General Military Academy had high admission requirements, producing highly qualified engineers who gained prestige in the field.

• Artillery and engineering corps also had a high level of scientific knowledge.

• Infantry and cavalry officers had a shorter training period focused more on combat skills.

• There were tensions between the scientific corps and arms branches due to perceived differences in qualifications.

• Artillery and engineering officers renounced promotions based on war merits, while infantry and cavalry officers could benefit from such promotions.

General Arsenio Martínez Campos

General Arsenio Martínez Campos played a significant role in Spanish military history.

• He organized a pronouncement in Valencia after General Pavía's appearance at Congress.

• Martínez Campos achieved great prestige for his role in pacifying Cuba during the "Guerra Chiquita" conflict.

• In 1882, he established the General Military Academy as a single educational center for all army branches, including Guardia Civil.

• However, due to budget cuts in the 1890s, this initiative lasted only ten years.

First Generation Officers

The first generation of officers graduated from the General Military Academy with quality training.

• Engineers and artillery officers had higher academic and scientific qualifications compared to infantry and cavalry officers.

• Infantry and cavalry officers focused more on combat skills and military life.

• It was easier to enter the arms academies than the engineering and artillery corps academies.

End of the Academy

The General Military Academy lasted only ten years due to budget cuts in the 1890s.

• The academy produced highly qualified officers, but it was discontinued due to financial constraints.

Conclusion

The video concludes by mentioning that the General Military Academy's existence was a positive initiative, even though it lasted for a short period of time. The first generation of officers who graduated from this academy had quality training, with engineers and artillery officers having higher academic qualifications compared to infantry and cavalry officers.

Timestamps were not available for some sections.

General Sanjurjo and the Military Academy

This section discusses General Sanjurjo's involvement in the military academy and his career.

General Sanjurjo's Background

• General Sanjurjo was known for leading a coup against the Spanish Republic in 1932.

• He was supposed to lead the coup of 1936 but died in a plane crash before reaching Spain.

• Despite not excelling academically, he had a successful military career due to his leadership skills and bravery in combat.

Merit-based Promotions

• The military academy awarded promotions based on merit in war actions.

• A chart shows that by 1936, many graduates from the academy held high-ranking positions, while others were still at lower ranks.

• This system created rivalry between those who believed in merit-based promotions and those who preferred seniority-based promotions.

Impact of Merit-based Promotions

• The rivalry between merit-based promotions and seniority-based promotions led to a significant crisis in 1917.

• This division among military personnel caused a serious split between Africanists and junteros (supporters of closed promotion scale).

Focus on the Military Academy

• The discussion shifts back to the Military Academy, where most participants in the Civil War had previously studied.

• While some high-ranking generals came from later generations, many influential figures graduated from the academy before it closed.

Changes after Closing of Military Academy

This section explores changes that occurred after the closure of the Military Academy.

Closure of Military Academy

• After closing, there were five years of specialized training for different corps followed by three years for infantry and cavalry arms.

• Students could enter as young as 14 or 15 years old without completing their secondary education.

Francisco Franco's Rapid Career

• Francisco Franco had an even more meteoric rise, becoming a general at a young age.

• By 1936, he had only served for 22 years but already held the rank of general.

• His career exemplifies the exceptional promotion speed of the 1895 generation.

The Promoción de 1895

• The Promoción de 1895 consisted of three classmates: Manuel Bonet, Joaquín Fanjul, and Mi Hijo.

• These three individuals played significant roles in both sides of the conflict during the early days of 1936.

Different Paths

• Joaquín Fanjul and Codec joined the School of Staff and War to become officers in the State Major Corps.

• They underwent four years of training and were responsible for military operations and staff duties.

Highly Skilled Officers

• Officers from the State Major Corps were highly prepared, spoke multiple languages, and often traveled abroad for cooperation purposes.

• Their tasks mainly involved working in the Ministry of War or General Headquarters.

Fate of Promoción de 1895 Members

This section discusses what happened to members of the Promoción de 1895.

Different Outcomes

• Joaquín Fanjul became a general who led the uprising in Madrid during the Civil War.

• Manuel Bonet attempted to lead a coup in Barcelona but arrived after it had already failed. He was later executed.

Mi Hijo's Loyalty

• Mi Hijo remained loyal to the Republican government and became a leader in defending Madrid during 1936.

Recognition and Mythification

• Mi Hijo gained recognition from both the Republican government and sympathetic press as a hero defending Madrid.

Short Time at Academy

• The Promoción de 1895 spent only a year and a half at the Military Academy due to the urgent need for officers during the Cuban conflict.

• Despite their short training, they quickly became lieutenants in the infantry.

Training of Promoción de 1895 Members

This section focuses on the training of members from the Promoción de 1895.

Specialized Training

• Joaquín Fanjul and Codec pursued four years of training at the School of Staff and War to become officers in the State Major Corps.

Roles of State Major Corps Officers

• Officers from this corps were responsible for military operations, staff duties, and could command troops.

• They often held positions in high-ranking military circles and were considered highly skilled.

Language Skills and International Cooperation

• State Major Corps officers had language skills and frequently traveled abroad for cooperation purposes.

• They gained experience through involvement in various international events, such as World War I.

Introduction to the Generation of Spanish Military Officers

This section provides an introduction to the generation of Spanish military officers who would later play a significant role in the Spanish Civil War. It discusses their background, training, and aspirations.

Background and Training

• The young officers, like Joaquín Fanjul, were part of the Liberal Conservative Party and represented its interests.

• They received their education at the academy and delivered speeches during graduation ceremonies.

• The speeches emphasized their future leadership roles in both the military and politics.

• The officers believed they would lead the country and be examples for their troops.

Sense of Honor and Sacrifice

• The officers were taught a concept of honor that led them to take great risks in battle.

• Their combat style was often considered suicidal but demonstrated their commitment to honor.

• In battles, the percentage of officer casualties was higher than that of enlisted soldiers.

• Examples include Captain Mola's leadership in Africa in 1909.

Aspirations for High Positions

• From an early stage, these young cadets were told they would occupy high positions in both civil and military administration.

• However, despite this promise, officer salaries were low compared to other professions.

• They enjoyed certain privileges due to their perceived social status but still faced financial challenges.

Influence of African Campaigns on Mentalities

This section explores how the experiences gained during campaigns in Africa influenced the mindset of these military officers. It highlights their perception of saving Spain's honor and patriotism.

Prolonged Campaigns in Africa

• The officers spent almost 20 years engaged in intense warfare against a formidable enemy.

• These campaigns had a lasting impact on their mentality as they believed they were saving Spain's honor and protecting its territories.

Shaping of Mentalities

• The officers' experiences in Africa influenced their opinions and discontent with the government.

• Their mindset became crucial in expressing their views during the Spanish Civil War.

Historical Context and Perspective

This section emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical context and perspective when analyzing this generation of military officers. It encourages viewers to consider the social, political, and economic conditions of that time.

Political Opinions in Different Eras

• Political opinions vary across different eras, and it is essential to view events through a historical lens.

• The class struggle during that period was distinct from contemporary political differences.

• Social mobility was limited for those born into working-class families, while those from affluent backgrounds had more opportunities.

Military Officers' Backgrounds

• Most military officers came from families with access to education and held a certain level of prestige in society.

• Some officers were born in colonies like Cuba or Puerto Rico due to their parents' military assignments there.

Conclusion

The transcript provides an introduction to the generation of Spanish military officers who played a significant role in the Spanish Civil War. It highlights their background, training, sense of honor, aspirations for high positions, influence of African campaigns on mentalities, and the importance of considering historical context. Understanding these factors helps analyze their actions during this turbulent period in Spanish history.