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Military Coup
In July, military officials and citizens took up arms against the government in a span of two days in an attempt to overthrow the country completely. However, the government was able to distribute enough weapons and allowed the Republicans to retain power, and the country fell into Civil War. -
Franco takes control of Army of Africa
The Army of Africa was a major strategic benefactor towards the nationalist army. At the initiation of the war, the Army of Africa was assembled and aided in the military coup. The army itself was extremely efficient in the war, and was able to make major gains for the Nationalist army while their own forces were trained. -
Siege of the Alcázar
The take over of Toledo during the Siege of Alcázar was an iconic Nationalist victory at the initiation of the Spanish Civil War. Keeping control over the area, which served as a sign of power and dominance of the Nationalist forces, boosted Nationalist popularity and moral in the future efforts of the war. -
Stalin agrees to aid the Republicans
When the dilemma of aiding a belligerent in Spain, he had two issues when considering. If he aided, Franco, another fascist state were to emerge in Europe, it would expand Hitler’s influence, however, if he supported the republicans, there would be an increased aggression towards anticommunist international relations. -
Hitler aids the Naitionalists
a. When Hitler joined the nationalist front, by the next day, he had sent the following over to contribute to the war: the Condor Leigon, 10,000 troops, 800 aircraft, and 200 tanks. Hitler was at first hesitant to help the nationalist in their efforts, however, this could hinder to stop the spread of communism as well as allow them to test out their new militaristic powers. -
Franco titled head of Nationalist Army
Before Franco was sole commander of the army, he was in part with a joint group with Generals Mola, Goded and Sanjurjo. However, in July, Franco was titled as the commander as the Nationalist army, as the other generals decided that it would be beneficial to control the army under one unified command. As an affect, Franco also took control of political power, along with the militaristic power, and became head of state. His power would continue to grow as the other political powers died. -
Nationalist begin Offensives agaisnt Madrid
From the initiation of the war, the nationalist held light siege to Madrid, which was held by the republicans. For a majority of the war, Madrid was to be held the Republicans, who were able to fortify the city before the nationalist uprising become fully organized. Although the city was help by the republicans, there was a major population of right-wing sympathizers in the city that were oppressed. The holding of the city served as the last defense of the Republicans. -
Battle of Jarama
The battle of Jarama is an example of a failed attempt by the Nationalists to acquire a portion of land that was held by the Republicans just east of Madrid. Although the Republicans were pushed back, they were not destroyed, and were able to launch a counterattack in order to maintain position at the river. However both sides were unable to prove marginally victorious, and ended with severe casualties. -
Battle of Guadalajara
The Battle of Guadalajara was one of few major victories for the Republican offensives in the Spanish Civil War. The battle was mainly fought between the Republicans and the Italian volunteer army, which aided the Nationalist side. While the Italians were the ones to start the offensive, the Republicans launched a successful counter offensive, which swept the Italians and forced them to retreat. -
Bombing of Guernica
Known to be the first airstrike on defenseless civilians from a military air force, the battle of Guernica was an air raid performed by the Italian and German air forces that were supporting the Nationalist side of the Spanish Civil War. While the death toll is disputed, from as low as 126 to numbers in the thousands, it gave way to new anti war feelings, and paintings, such as Pablo Picasso’s on the terror the war place on the country during the Civil War. -
Bilbao falls to the Nationalists
Bilbao was one of the last major territorial sectors that the Republins held against the Nationalist in the northern part of Spain. The Republicans attempted to protect their land with an “Iron Ring,” however, the fortifications were not up to speed with modern military power, and the defenses along with the 20,000 troops were easily overpowered by the nationalist offensive, thus surrendering the land to the nationalists. -
Battle of Brunete
The battle of Brunete was a Republican effort to stall Nationalist offensive from the north, after the fall of Bilbao, in order to gain time to re-organize troops against future offensives. If the attack was successful, the Nationalist could loose supplies routes on their siege to Madrid. While the offensive was originally successful, the Republicans were hesitant to back up their initial offensive, and the Nationalist were able to recognize the attack and forced the Republicans to retreat. -
Battle of Belchite
The battle of Belchite was the Republican’s attempt to make territorial gains, as well as delay further offensives from the Nationalists. With around 90,00 men, the offensive itself was successful, and there were notable territorial gains. However, the plans to gain specific territory and halt future offensives failed, and thus, the attack proved to be fruitless for future battles. -
Battle of Teruel
The battle of Teruel was one of the bloodier battles of the war. The war was held in the harshest winter of the war in Spain, and was centered around the capture of the city of Teruel. The battle lasted about three months, and both sides at one point held the city. In February, the City fell to the Nationalist, and served as a major military swing showing the Nationalist had superior military power. -
Aragon Offensive
The Aragon Offensive followed the Battle at Teruel. The previous battle had exhausted a majority of Republican supplies. After, Franco concentrated his forces and pushed through the Aragon region. While the Republicans were able to gather a large amount of numerical forces, the Nationalists had the advantage when it came to supplies, and were able to crush the defenses placed by the Republicans, allowing them to push farther into enemy territory. -
Bombing of Barcelona
The bombing of Barcelona was an airstrike commited by the Italian forces aiding the Nationalist forces. Due to the Soviets moving supplies into the area, Mussilini saw fit to raid the area with massive air-strikes in order to crush the Soviet moral to continue to fight. The bombs were dropped on the entirety of the city, regardless of military presence or civilian area. The bombing caused such a devastating response that Franco himself called for the bombing to be put off in order to dodge -
Battle of the Ebro
The battle of the Ebro was the longest battle of the war, and consisted of the largest troop count of any battle. The purpose of the Republican offensive, which started the battle, was to divert Nationalist forces from key targets. The offensive at first was widely successful, however, the hesitance for a counter-attack caused the Nationalists to stall and then obliterate what the Republicans gained, and forced them to suffer major losses. -
Catalonia Offensive
The Catalonia offensive was a Nationalist offensive against a capital territory of the Republican Party. The Republicans held little opposition and were forced out of the territory and fleeing into France. Those who were forced into France were not able to return as when Franco secured the area he closed the borders with France, and made the Republicans suffer a massive loss. -
Madrid falls to the Nationalists
By the end of the war, the Republicans were suffering major issues as the Nationalists began to tighten the siege on the capital. Internally, the Republicans were split themselves on how to withdraw from the war, and thus, were unable to successfully surrender. Franco was set on only accepting an unconditional surrender, and ordered a full advancement onto the city. The Republicans immediately surrendered, many giving up on sight, and the Nationalists gained control of the city.
