Second Spanish Civil War: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
No edit summary
 
(7 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 7: Line 7:
| alt        =  
| alt        =  
| caption    =  
| caption    =  
| date        = 23 February 1981 - 1 April 1982
| date        = 23 February 1981 - 11 June 1981
| place      = Spain, with Minor spillover into Portugal
| place      = Spain, with Minor spillover into Portugal
| coordinates = <!--Use the {{coord}} template -->
| coordinates = <!--Use the {{coord}} template -->
Line 16: Line 16:
| map_caption =  
| map_caption =  
| map_label  =  
| map_label  =  
| territory  =  
| territory  = • Proclamation of the Third Spanish Republic
| result      = Loyalist Victory
 
• Carlist Requetés wage minor guerilla war until the mid-90s
| result      = Loyalist Victory
| status      =  
| status      =  
| combatants_header =  
| combatants_header =  
Line 47: Line 49:


[[File:Flag_of_Mexico.svg|25x15px|frameless]] Mexico
[[File:Flag_of_Mexico.svg|25x15px|frameless]] Mexico
[[File:Flag_of_Portugal.svg|25x15px|frameless]] Portugal (Battle of Alcoutim)


[[File:Flag_of_Italian_Committee_of_National_Liberation.svg|25x15px|frameless]] Italian Republic
[[File:Flag_of_Italian_Committee_of_National_Liberation.svg|25x15px|frameless]] Italian Republic
Line 62: Line 66:


• [[File:Bandera_FE_JONS.svg|25x15px|frameless]] National Solidarity (renamed to FET y de las JONS in January 1982)
• [[File:Bandera_FE_JONS.svg|25x15px|frameless]] National Solidarity (renamed to FET y de las JONS in January 1982)
• [[File:Flag_of_Spain_(1977–1981).svg|25x15px|frameless]] Búnker


• [[File:Cross_of_Burgundy_(Template).svg|25x15px|frameless]]  Carlist Movements (Requetés)
• [[File:Cross_of_Burgundy_(Template).svg|25x15px|frameless]]  Carlist Movements (Requetés)


• [[File:Bandera_FE_JONS.svg|25x15px|frameless]] Falangist Movement of Spain
• [[File:Bandera_FE_JONS.svg|25x15px|frameless]] Falangist Movement of Spain
Line 77: Line 82:


[[File:Flag_of_the_U.S._Central_Intelligence_Agency.svg|25x15px|frameless]] CIA (alleged, denied)
[[File:Flag_of_the_U.S._Central_Intelligence_Agency.svg|25x15px|frameless]] CIA (alleged, denied)
| combatant3  =  
| combatant3  = [[File:Flag_of_the_Basque_Country.svg|25x15px|frameless]] ETA
| commander1  =  
 
| commander2  =  
[[File:Batasuna.svg|25x15px|frameless]] Herri Batasuna
| commander3  =  
 
[[File:Estelada_roja.svg|25x15px|frameless]] Terra Lliure
 
'''Supported by:'''
[[File:Flag_of_Libya_(1977–2011).svg|25x15px|frameless]] Libya
 
[[File:Provisional_Irish_Republican_Army_Badge.svg|25x15px|frameless]]
Provisional IRA
 
[[File:Flag_of_the_FARC-EP.svg|25x15px|frameless]] FARC
| commander1  = [[File:Bandera_de_España.svg|25x15px|frameless]] Juan Carlos I
 
[[File:Bandera_de_España.svg|25x15px|frameless]] [[File:Flag_of_Spain_(1931–1939).svg|25x15px|frameless]] Francisco Laína
 
[[File:Flag_of_Spain_(1977–1981).svg|25x15px|frameless]] Adolfo Suárez †
 
[[File:Bandera_de_España.svg|25x15px|frameless]] Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo
 
[[File:Flag_of_Spain_(1931–1939).svg|25x15px|frameless]] Felipe González
 
[[File:Flag_of_Spain_(1977–1981).svg|25x15px|frameless]] Manuel Gutiérrez Mellado
 
[[File:Flag_of_Spain_(1977–1981).svg|25x15px|frameless]] Guillermo Quintana Lacaci
 
[[File:Bandera_de_España.svg|25x15px|frameless]] Landelino Lavilla
 
[[File:Bandera_del_GRAPO.svg|25x15px|frameless]] Gerardo Iglesias
| commander2  = [[File:Flag_of_Spain_(1977–1981).svg|25x15px|frameless]] Antonio Tejero †
 
[[File:Bandera_FE_JONS.svg|25x15px|frameless]] José Antonio Girón
 
[[File:Flag_of_Spain_(1977–1981).svg|25x15px|frameless]] Jaime Milans del Bosch
 
[[File:Flag_of_Spain_(1977–1981).svg|25x15px|frameless]] Alfonso Armada †
 
[[File:Flag_of_Spain_(1977–1981).svg|25x15px|frameless]] Fernando de Santiago
 
[[File:Flag_of_Spain_(1977–1981).svg|25x15px|frameless]] Carlos Iniesta Cano
 
[[File:Flag_of_Spain_(1977–1981).svg|25x15px|frameless]] José Luis de Arrese
 
[[File:Bandera_FE_JONS.svg|25x15px|frameless]] Raimundo Fernández-Cuesta
 
[[File:Flag_of_Spain_(1977–1981).svg|25x15px|frameless]] Tomás García Rebull
 
[[File:Flag_of_Spain_(1977–1981).svg|25x15px|frameless]] Juan García Carrés
 
[[File:Flag_of_Spain_(1977–1981).svg|25x15px|frameless]] Luis Valero Bermejo
 
[[File:Flag_of_Spain_(1977–1981).svg|25x15px|frameless]] Blas Piñar
| commander3  = No centralized leadership
| units1      =  
| units1      =  
| units2      =  
| units2      =  
Line 93: Line 148:
| campaignbox =  
| campaignbox =  
}}
}}
The Second Spanish Civil War (Spanish: ''Segunda Guerra Civil Española'')<ref group="Note">Also known as '''The Defense''' or '''The Reclamation''' among Nationalists, the '''Fifth Carlist War''' among Carlists, '''The Rebellion''' among Loyalists and occasionally '''The Finality''' by republicans and some communists.</ref> was a civil war fought in Spain between a broad coalition of reformists, known colloquially as the Loyalists, and several Francoist, neo-fascist and some Carlist rebels, commonly referred to as the Nationalists or simply the rebels, as well as several local independence movements.
== Background ==
Since the end of the [[wikipedia:Spanish_Civil_War|first Spanish Civil War]], Spain was governed by a one-party authoritarian dictatorship<ref group="Note">Initially fully flirting with fascism, the state transitioned into a (comparatively) more moderate dictatorship aligning itself with the United States during the Cold War.</ref> headed by ''Generalissimo''<ref group="Note">Also styled '''Caudillo''' or simply '''Head of State.'''</ref> Francisco Franco. The 1947 Law of Succession nominally restored the Spanish Monarchy, though the monarch would have to be chosen by Franco. After decades without a monarch, shortly before his death, Franco proclaimed Juan Carlos to be his successor, bypassing his father, Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona. Despite pressure from the so called Búnker, a group of far-right and some openly fascist anti-reformists, Carlos acceded to the throne in 1975, beginning a transition to democracy that would culminate in the coup of 1981 sparking the civil war.
== General Summary ==
Sparked from a semi-successful coup attempt in February 1981, several garrisons (most notably in Valencia) mobilized and seized cities on the Mediterranean, with hastily formed Carlist Requetés engaging loyalists and ETA members, seizing positions in the northwest, primarily in the Basque country. Despite urges from King Juan Carlos and general popular support for the loyalists, many units remained loyal to their commanding officers over the central government, resulting in a lopsided yet brutal struggle. After getting word of other revolts, hoping to secure Madrid, the Spanish Army assaulted the occupied Congress of Deputies. resulting in the rebels executing prime minister Adolfo Suárez and injuring PM elect Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo, these actions would in turn result in the deaths of two major coup leaders. Lieutenant-Colonel Antonio Tejero being killed in the subsequent firefight and Alfonso Armada being killed after attempting to flee Madrid. After the death and incapacitation of the elected Prime Ministers, Director of State Security Francisco Laína and de-facto head of the Spanish government during the initial coup was selected to head the Spanish government until the end of the emergency.
The Nationalists initially marched from Valencia, with the Requetés defending several strongholds in the north and pro-nationalist guerillas launching attacks across Spain, primarily in the west, with one group launching an attack into neighboring Portugal, resulting in a defeat and an international incident. Despite being overwhelmingly outnumbered, the nationalists managed to advance as far west as Cuenca and as far north as to see the city of Tarragona on the horizon. After a successful counterattack by Loyalist forces in the north, resulting in the Carlists to go underground, the Loyalists pushed the Nationalists back to Valencia by 7 May, with a month long siege resulting in the surrender of the Nationalists.
After the collapse of the rebellion, Provisional Head of Government Laína stepped down on the 15th of June, and after a 57 hour debate the Spanish government voted to abolish the Spanish monarchy, confirmed by a referendum held a month later. Begrudgingly, King Juan Carlos agreed to abdicate provided he was allowed to remain in the country, officially ending centuries of Bourbon<ref group="Note">Interrupted from 1808-1813 under Napoleonic rule, 1870-1873 under the House of Savoy, 1873-74 under the First Republic, 1931-1939 under the Second Republic, and 1936/39-1975 under the Francoist Regime, though Francoist Spain was a de jure Kingdom after 1947 Law of Succession but had no reigning monarch.</ref> rule in Spain
== Foreign involvement ==
<references group="Note" />
[[Category:Divided States of America]]

Latest revision as of 01:18, 10 August 2024

Second Spanish Civil War
Part of the Spanish transition to democracy
Date23 February 1981 - 11 June 1981
Location
Spain, with Minor spillover into Portugal
Result • Loyalist Victory
Territorial
changes

• Proclamation of the Third Spanish Republic

• Carlist Requetés wage minor guerilla war until the mid-90s
Belligerents

Flag of Spain (1977–1981).svg Bandera de España.svg Flag of Spain (1931–1939).svg Loyalists

• Spanish Armed Forces (Loyalists)

• Civil Guard (Majority)

• National Police Corps

• CESID

Logo PSOE, 1976-2001.svg Spanish Socialist Workers' Party

Bandera del GRAPO.svg Communist Party of Spain

Flag of the International Brigades.svg International Brigades

• International Volunteers

Action Directe.svg Action Directe

Bandera CNT-FAI.svg CNT-FAI (factions)

Supported By:

Flag of France.svg France

Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico

Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal (Battle of Alcoutim)

Flag of Italian Committee of National Liberation.svg Italian Republic

Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union (to communist factions)

Flag of the United Kingdom (1-2).svg United Kingdom (limited)

Betsy Ross flag.svg United Commonwealth (indirectly)

Flag of Spain (1977–1981).svg Nationalists

• Spanish Armed Forces (Rebels and Defectors)

• Civil Guard (Minority)

Bandera FE JONS.svg National Solidarity (renamed to FET y de las JONS in January 1982)

Flag of Spain (1977–1981).svg Búnker

Cross of Burgundy (Template).svg Carlist Movements (Requetés)

Bandera FE JONS.svg Falangist Movement of Spain

Flag of Ordine Nuovo.svg Ordine Nuovo Volunteers

Supported by:

War flag of the Italian Social Republic.svg Italian Social Republic

Flag of Chile.svg Chile

Flag of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.svg CIA (alleged, denied)

Flag of the Basque Country.svg ETA

Batasuna.svg Herri Batasuna

Estelada roja.svg Terra Lliure

Supported by: Flag of Libya (1977–2011).svg Libya

Provisional Irish Republican Army Badge.svg Provisional IRA

Flag of the FARC-EP.svg FARC
Commanders and leaders

Bandera de España.svg Juan Carlos I

Bandera de España.svg Flag of Spain (1931–1939).svg Francisco Laína

Flag of Spain (1977–1981).svg Adolfo Suárez †

Bandera de España.svg Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo

Flag of Spain (1931–1939).svg Felipe González

Flag of Spain (1977–1981).svg Manuel Gutiérrez Mellado

Flag of Spain (1977–1981).svg Guillermo Quintana Lacaci

Bandera de España.svg Landelino Lavilla

Bandera del GRAPO.svg Gerardo Iglesias

Flag of Spain (1977–1981).svg Antonio Tejero †

Bandera FE JONS.svg José Antonio Girón

Flag of Spain (1977–1981).svg Jaime Milans del Bosch

Flag of Spain (1977–1981).svg Alfonso Armada †

Flag of Spain (1977–1981).svg Fernando de Santiago

Flag of Spain (1977–1981).svg Carlos Iniesta Cano

Flag of Spain (1977–1981).svg José Luis de Arrese

Bandera FE JONS.svg Raimundo Fernández-Cuesta

Flag of Spain (1977–1981).svg Tomás García Rebull

Flag of Spain (1977–1981).svg Juan García Carrés

Flag of Spain (1977–1981).svg Luis Valero Bermejo

Flag of Spain (1977–1981).svg Blas Piñar
No centralized leadership

The Second Spanish Civil War (Spanish: Segunda Guerra Civil Española)[Note 1] was a civil war fought in Spain between a broad coalition of reformists, known colloquially as the Loyalists, and several Francoist, neo-fascist and some Carlist rebels, commonly referred to as the Nationalists or simply the rebels, as well as several local independence movements.

Background

Since the end of the first Spanish Civil War, Spain was governed by a one-party authoritarian dictatorship[Note 2] headed by Generalissimo[Note 3] Francisco Franco. The 1947 Law of Succession nominally restored the Spanish Monarchy, though the monarch would have to be chosen by Franco. After decades without a monarch, shortly before his death, Franco proclaimed Juan Carlos to be his successor, bypassing his father, Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona. Despite pressure from the so called Búnker, a group of far-right and some openly fascist anti-reformists, Carlos acceded to the throne in 1975, beginning a transition to democracy that would culminate in the coup of 1981 sparking the civil war.

General Summary

Sparked from a semi-successful coup attempt in February 1981, several garrisons (most notably in Valencia) mobilized and seized cities on the Mediterranean, with hastily formed Carlist Requetés engaging loyalists and ETA members, seizing positions in the northwest, primarily in the Basque country. Despite urges from King Juan Carlos and general popular support for the loyalists, many units remained loyal to their commanding officers over the central government, resulting in a lopsided yet brutal struggle. After getting word of other revolts, hoping to secure Madrid, the Spanish Army assaulted the occupied Congress of Deputies. resulting in the rebels executing prime minister Adolfo Suárez and injuring PM elect Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo, these actions would in turn result in the deaths of two major coup leaders. Lieutenant-Colonel Antonio Tejero being killed in the subsequent firefight and Alfonso Armada being killed after attempting to flee Madrid. After the death and incapacitation of the elected Prime Ministers, Director of State Security Francisco Laína and de-facto head of the Spanish government during the initial coup was selected to head the Spanish government until the end of the emergency.

The Nationalists initially marched from Valencia, with the Requetés defending several strongholds in the north and pro-nationalist guerillas launching attacks across Spain, primarily in the west, with one group launching an attack into neighboring Portugal, resulting in a defeat and an international incident. Despite being overwhelmingly outnumbered, the nationalists managed to advance as far west as Cuenca and as far north as to see the city of Tarragona on the horizon. After a successful counterattack by Loyalist forces in the north, resulting in the Carlists to go underground, the Loyalists pushed the Nationalists back to Valencia by 7 May, with a month long siege resulting in the surrender of the Nationalists.

After the collapse of the rebellion, Provisional Head of Government Laína stepped down on the 15th of June, and after a 57 hour debate the Spanish government voted to abolish the Spanish monarchy, confirmed by a referendum held a month later. Begrudgingly, King Juan Carlos agreed to abdicate provided he was allowed to remain in the country, officially ending centuries of Bourbon[Note 4] rule in Spain

Foreign involvement

  1. Also known as The Defense or The Reclamation among Nationalists, the Fifth Carlist War among Carlists, The Rebellion among Loyalists and occasionally The Finality by republicans and some communists.
  2. Initially fully flirting with fascism, the state transitioned into a (comparatively) more moderate dictatorship aligning itself with the United States during the Cold War.
  3. Also styled Caudillo or simply Head of State.
  4. Interrupted from 1808-1813 under Napoleonic rule, 1870-1873 under the House of Savoy, 1873-74 under the First Republic, 1931-1939 under the Second Republic, and 1936/39-1975 under the Francoist Regime, though Francoist Spain was a de jure Kingdom after 1947 Law of Succession but had no reigning monarch.