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Morocco
The uprising starts in Morocco. The Army of Africa is the most prepared. Its support for the rebels is decisive. -
July 18
General Francisco Franco, military commander of the Canary Islands, declares a state of war and arrives in Morocco to take control of the troops. On mainland Spain, Cádiz, Córdoba and Sevilla are controlled by the rebels. In the north, the coup is supported by military units in Pamplona, Burgos and Valladolid. -
July 19
The uprising is defeated in Madrid and Barcelona. País Vasco, Cataluña and Valencia remain loyal to the government. -
The two sides of the Civil War
By 21 July, in the middle of a brutal repression, Spain was divided into two zones defended by two sides which would face each other in the Civil War.
One side was the rebel zone and the Nationalist side that were about a third of the country: the northern, central and western areas, including the main cereal producing areas.
The other side was The loyal zone and the republican side that kept control of the major light and heavy industrial centres: Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Valencia and Malaga -
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First Week of August
The African troops are airlifted. Hitler and Mussolini provide Franco with planes to carry out the first major military airlift of troops from Africa to Sevilla. -
28 August
Nationalist victory in Toledo. Franco turns his army south to Toledo where the Nationalist soldiers are resisting the Republican siege in the Alcázar. Franco’s troops win a symbolic victory. -
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November
The Battle for Madrid. Nationalist troops reach the capital. The government decides to evacuate Madrid and head to Valencia. International aid arrives in time and the republicans resist. The Nationalists besiege Madrid for much of the war. -
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The Northern front
The Gernika bombing helped the Nationalists gain a decisive victory in Bizcaia. In spite of the republican offensive in Aragón to slow down the Nationalist advance, the strategic heavy industry and mining zones of Cantabria and Asturias are also taken. -
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The Battle of Teruel
It is one of the bitterest battles of the war. Nationalists gain a strategic victory that allows them to advance towards the Mediterranean.
The Republican zone is now cut in two and Cataluña is isolated. -
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The Battle of the Ebro
The Republican government launches an all-out campaign to reconnect their territory. It fails and Franco deploys mass forces to invade Cataluña. His troops enter Barcelona on 26 January, 1939. Only Madrid, Valencia and a few other strongholds remain for the Republican forces. -
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Civl war within the Civl War
A plot within the Republican Army causes the government in Valencia to fall. A National Council of Defence is formed to negotiate a peace deal. Franco only accepts an unconditional surrender. Juan Negrín, the president of the government, flees to France. -
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The end of the war
The Nationalists start a general offensive. On 28 March, they occupy Madrid and by 31 March, they control all Spanish territory. The Republican forces surrender. Franco proclaims victory on 1 April.
