IB/Group 3/History/Route 2/Causes, Practices, and Effects of Wars/The Spanish Civil War (36-39)

The Spanish Civil War of 1936 to 1939 was a class war, and a culture war. Competing visions of Spanish identity were superimposed on a bitter struggle over material resources, as the defenders of property, religion and tradition took up arms against a Republican government committed to social reform, devolution, and secularisation. Frances Lannon, The Spanish Civil War 'A civil war is not a war but a sickness,' wrote Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. 'The enemy is within. One fights almost against oneself.' Yet Spain's tragedy in 1936 was even greater. It had become enmeshed in the international civil war, which started in earnest with the Bolshevik revolution. From Antony Beevor, The Battle for Spain: The Spanish Civil War 1936−1936, 2006 The Spanish Civil War broke out in 1936 after more than a century of social, economic and political division. Half a million people died in this conflict between 1936 and 1939. Long-term causes of the Spanish Civil War: political instability (1920−1931) In the 19th century, Spain had struggled between periods of conservatism and liberalism. Weakness of government The role of the Spanish Army The role of the church Economic causes The role of regions Political opposition The fall of the monarchy and the establishment of the Second Republic The Spanish Civil War (36-39) The Spanish Civil War (36-39)