Spanish Civil War (jul 17, 1936 – apr 1, 1939)

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The Spanish Civil War was a military conflict between the Republicans and the Nationalists from 1936 to 1939. The Republicans were loyal to the Popular Front government of the Second Spanish Republic, while the Nationalists were an alliance of Falangists, monarchists, conservatives, and traditionalists led by a military junta. The war was viewed as a class struggle, religious struggle, between dictatorship and republican democracy, revolution and counterrevolution, and between fascism and communism.

The war began after the partial failure of the coup d'état in July 1936 against the Popular Front government. The Nationalist faction was supported by several conservative groups, including CEDA, monarchists, and the Falange Española de las JONS. Military units in Morocco, Pamplona, Burgos, Zaragoza, Valladolid, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, and Seville supported the uprising. However, rebelling units in most important cities did not gain control, leaving Spain militarily and politically divided.

The Nationalist forces received support from Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, while the Republican side received support from the Soviet Union and Mexico. Other countries, such as the United Kingdom, France, and the United States, continued to recognize the Republican government but followed an official policy of non-intervention.

Franco emerged as the primary leader of the Nationalist side, capturing most of Spain's northern coastline in 1937 and besieging Madrid and the surrounding areas. In response to an alleged increasing communist dominance of the Republican government and the deteriorating military situation, Colonel Segismundo Casado led a military coup against the Republican government in March 1939. However, these peace overtures were rejected by Franco.

The war became notable for its passion and political division worldwide, as well as the numerous atrocities that occurred. Organised purges occurred in territory captured by Franco's forces to consolidate their future regime, and mass executions took place in areas controlled by the Republicans.

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