The document summarizes the key events leading up to and during the Spanish Civil War from the early 1920s to 1936. It discusses the divisions within Spanish society that weakened the government and led to a military coup in 1923. Economic troubles in the late 1920s further destabilized the country and led to a republic being declared in 1931. Attempts at reform sparked opposition and unrest between left and right-wing groups. This political instability resulted in an army revolt in 1936 launching the Civil War, with Nationalists led by Franco fighting Republicans of varied left-wing affiliations.

1. CAMBRIDGEAS
HISTORYREVISION
AGEOFEXTREMISM
3.2 CIVILWARINSPAIN

2. CAUSES
Divisions within Spain: geographical, social, economic and political.
Lack of effective government: weaknesses of constitutional monarchy;
contradictory aims of different political parties; coalition governments
unable to control Spain.
Miguel de Rivera: led bloodless coup in 1923; provided effective
leadership as military dictator.
World economic crisis after 1929: led to riots; Miguel de Rivera lost
support of the army and resigned.
Abdication of King Alfonso XIII 1931: feared further bloodshed; Spain
became a republic.

3. MIGUELDERIVERA

4. THEREPUBLIC19311936
Socialist government of Manuel Azaña 1931–33: attempted reforms;
opposition of right wing groups that formed CEDA; some left-wing
groups felt the reforms did not go far enough; strikes and riots leading
to Azaña’s resignation; Falange (fascist group) established by de Rivera’s
son in 1933.
CEDA government of José Maria Gil-Robles, 1933–36: reversed Azaña’s
reforms, which reunited left-wing groups; riots and strikes; government
used army to put down riots.
Elections of February 1936: won by left-wing Popular Front;
weaknesses of new government; murder of right-winger Calvo Sotelo.
Army revolt July 1936: army generals and Falange began revolt in
Morocco; Franco assumed leadership.

5. MANUELAZANA

6. THECIVILWAR
Nationalists: right-wing groups (church, monarchists, army,
monarchists, Falange).
Republicans: left-wing groups (socialists, republicans, anarchists,
communists, separatists, workers).
Foreign involvement: German and Italian support for Franco; other
countries remained neutral; International Brigades.
Reasons for Franco’s victory: maintained unity between nationalist
groups; control of the Spanish army; assistance from Germany and
Italy; Lack of unity amongst republicans; refusal of Britain, France and
League of Nations to take action.

7. GENERALFRANCISCOFRANCO