2. Elections in 1931 transform Spain from a constitutional
monarchy led by a semi-dictatorial prime minister into
a republic
3. Catalonia and Basque
regions desire independence
The Roman Catholic Church
and the Republic share a
mutual hostility
Republican government
wants to reduce the
influence of the military
Spain’s largely agrarian
economy has been hit hard
by the global depression
Resulting unemployment
causes the Republic to lose
the support of the working
class
4. These issues divided the Spanish people into two
opposing groups:
Those on the right wanted to protect the influence of
the Catholic Church, landowners, and the military.
Those on the left believed that the government was not
making enough liberal reforms.
Wanted a more socialist/communist state and the overthrow
of capitalism
Supporters of the Republic, communists/socialists, and
anarchists joined together to form the Popular Front against
any opposition
5. Born in 1892 to an affluent,
military family
As chief of staff for the Spanish
military, forms an alliance with
the Fascist Falange Party and
stages a coup against the
Republican government and the
Popular Front in July 1936
In October 1936, his military
junta appoints him
Generalissimo of Nationalist
Spain and head of state
Almost immediately, Hitler’s
Nazi Germany recognizes
Franco as the legitimate ruler of
Spain
6. Hitler sends ground troops, tanks, and air force to
support Franco and the Nationalists
Mussolini sends ground troops to support Franco and
Nationalists
Stalin sends equipment and advisors to support the
Republicans and Popular Front
US, Great Britain, and France declare a policy of non-
intervention
International Brigades of socialist and anti-fascist
volunteers arrive from the US, Great Britain, and
France
7. Air raid carried out by German and Italian forces in
support of Franco’s Nationalists
Attack on market day killed between 800 and 3000
civilian noncombatants
One of the first raids targeting a civilian population
Nazis regarded this as a training exercise for their
newly-formed air force
Quickly became a global symbol of civilian suffering
8. Hangs in the Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid and in the
United Nations as a reminder
9. In 1939, after three years
of battle, Franco’s forces
prevail
Franco establishes an
authoritarian
dictatorship which lasts
until his death in 1975
10. Hitler has seen how the world will respond to his
aggression in other nations.
The Second World War will officially begin by the end
of the year.
