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The assassinations of Lieutenant Castillo and Calvo Sotelo, both of them leaders of opposite sides, triggered a military coup that was being formed. General Emilio Mola was in charge of the rebellion under the leadership of Sanjuro who had failed in his coup just 4 years ago. On the evening of July, 17, the rebel soldiers began their coup by taking over the garrisons in Ceuta, Melilla, and Tetuán.
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Cádiz, cordoba and Sevilla are controlled by the rebels.
In the north, the coup is supported by military troops in Pamplona, Burgos, and Valladolid. -
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Spain beame divided after the coup in two factions that would fight against each other in the Civil War: the Nationalists(rebels) and the Republicans(Loyalists). The Nationalists had the support of one-third of the country in the northwest, western and central areas and had managed to resist in isolated zones like Granada or Seville. On the other hand, the Republican side had control of industrial centers like Madrid and Barcelona. Their provisional army was made up of inexperienced soldiers.
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When European democracies (France and Britain) get a hold of the situation in Spain, they warned all counties not to take part in this civil war. On August 1, 27 European countries signed this agreement. Instead of following the Agreement, Germany and Italy quickly supported the Nationalists to prevent Communism. On the other hand, the Soviet Union quickly intervened in support of the Republicans, but this support was seen reduced because of German and Italian intervention
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With the help of Hitler and Mussolini, Franco is able to carry some of his troops with airplanes to Sevilla, one of the Nationalist's isolated enclaves.
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General Franco leads the airlifted troops in the south whie General Emilio Mola leads a campaign in the North. Francoist troops are able to reach Badajoz and take the Tajo Valley while Mola's troops are able to take Gipuzkoa, therefore blocking the republicans the French Border.
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After Franco´s troops take Badajoz, they march towards Toledo where Nationalist soldiers are holding back a republican offensive. Franco`s troops achieve a symbolic victory
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After the victory in Toledo, Nationalist troops arrive at the capital in the beginning of September. Ijnternational support aids the republicans and, after being able to evacuate the city towards Valencia, they are able to hold off the Nationalist soldiers. Therefore, they besiege Madrid for the rest of the war.
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The Gernika bombings help the Nationalists take over Bizcaia. En though the Republicans try out a major offensive in Aragón to stop the Nationalists, they are still able to take over strategic industrial areas like Asturias and Cantabria.
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This is the bloodiest period in the Spanish Civil War. Nationalists gain a strategic victory that allows them to cut through to the Mediterranean Sea. This way, the nationalist advance divides the Republican zone in two.
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The Republican government launches a major offensive to reconnect their territory. The offensive fails and Franco deploys a full-out attack on Cataluña.
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During the offensive of the Nationalists to take over Cataluña, they reach Barcelona and take it. This leaves the Republicans with only a few major strongholds in Valencia and Madrid.
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There is a plot within the republican army that causes the government in Valencia to fall. A National Council of Defense is formed to negotiate peace with Franco but he only accepts an unconditional surrender. Juan Negrín, the president, flees to France.
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