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Essay on Spanish Civil War
In 1875 the monarchical system was restored in Spain. Under the restoration, the state manipulated electoral results to allow the alternation of power between the two major political parties. In 1898 this system came under severe threat. Defeat in the war against the United States for control of Cuba led to broad calls for wholesale reform. However, the system survived until a series of revolts in 1917 destabilised the restoration. Disorder continued until 1923 when a military dictatorship was established, with the support of the king, under Primo de Rivera.
The Primo regime eventually proved unpopular. Sections of the army were unhappy with military reform plans and the right began to withdraw support. By 1930, Primo was forced to leave office. The king was heavily associated with Primo and in 1931 was forced to abdicate. When the Second Republic came into existence in 1931, most of the right agreed to work within the Republic to prevent reform. Meanwhile the Socialists and Republicans formed a coalition from 1931 to 1933. Its reforms were often frustrated by the right. In 1933 the right came to power and reversed the limited reforms which had been achieved. In response, the left united in the Popular Front, which won the elections of February 1936 and proceeded to re-enact many of the reforms which the right had blocked. Violence and opposition grew until July 1936. In this month the military, with the broad support of the now radicalised right, attempted to seize power.
The failure of their coup meant that large parts of Spain remained under the control of the Republic, and civil war ensued until the rebels' victory in April 1939. Franco remained in power until his death in 1975.The Spanish Civil War (1936-39) was precipitated by a military revolt led by General Franco against the Republican government. Inferior military capability led to the gradual defeat of the Republicans......
