Background of the Spanish Civil War

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Background of the Spanish Civil War

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A period of intense political upheaval leading to a devastating civil war.

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Origins & Early Life

The long term causes of the Spanish Civil War date back to the end of the 19th century, when the owners of large estates, called latifundios, held most of the power in a land-based oligarchy. The landowners' power was unsuccessfully challenged by the industrial and merchant sectors. In 1868 popular uprisings led to the overthrow of Queen Isabella II of the House of Bourbon. In 1873 Isabella's replacement, King Amadeo I of the House of Savoy, abdicated due to increasing political pressure, and the short-lived First Spanish Republic was proclaimed. After the restoration of the Bourbons in December 1874, Carlists and anarchists emerged in opposition to the monarchy.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Alejandro Lerroux helped bring republicanism to the fore in Catalonia, where poverty was particularly acute. Growing resentment of conscription and of the military culminated in the Tragic Week in Barcelona in 1909. After the First World War, the working class, the industrial class, and the military united in hopes of removing the corrupt central government, but were unsuccessful. A military coup brought Miguel Primo de Rivera to power in 1923, and he ran Spain as a military dictatorship. Support for his regime gradually faded, and he resigned in January 1930.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

There was little support for the monarchy in the major cities, and King Alfonso XIII abdicated; the Second Spanish Republic was formed, whose power would remain until the culmination of the Spanish Civil War. Monarchists would continue to oppose the Republic. The revolutionary committee headed by Niceto Alcalá-Zamora became the provisional government, with Zamora as the President and Head of State. The Republic had broad support from all segments of society; elections in June 1931 returned a large majority of Republicans and Socialists. With the onset of the Great Depression, the government attempted to assist rural Spain by instituting an eight-hour day and giving tenure to farm workers.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1868: 1868 Milestone — In 1868 popular uprisings led to the overthrow of Queen Isabella II of the House of Bourbon.
2. 1873: 1873 Milestone — In 1873 Isabella's replacement, King Amadeo I of the House of Savoy, abdicated due to increasing political pressure, and the short-lived First Spanish Republic was proclaimed.
3. 1874: 1874 Milestone — After the restoration of the Bourbons in December 1874, Carlists and anarchists emerged in opposition to the monarchy.
4. 1909: 1909 Milestone — Growing resentment of conscription and of the military culminated in the Tragic Week in Barcelona in 1909.
5. 1923: 1923 Milestone — A military coup brought Miguel Primo de Rivera to power in 1923, and he ran Spain as a military dictatorship.
6. 1930: 1930 Milestone — Support for his regime gradually faded, and he resigned in January 1930.
7. 1931: 1931 Milestone — The Republic had broad support from all segments of society; elections in June 1931 returned a large majority of Republicans and Socialists.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Background of the Spanish Civil War

True or False: “The primary economic structure challenging the established order before the Civil War was based on industrialization and commerce.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While these sectors challenged the oligarchy, the economy remained primarily agricultural, dominated by large estates called latifundios.

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