Causes of the Spanish Civil War, 1936-39

Long-term causes

- Weakness of the political system

Corruption/rigged elections

Limited electorate; wishes of the people unheard

No mass democratic political parties

- Role of traditional sectors of society: landlords, army, Catholic Church

Army's right to intervene

Army expensive (heavy taxes), archaic, unable to defend in crises 

CC's support for landowners & determination to defend conservative interests

- Role of Basque & Catalonian nationalism

Significant cause of tension in the society; polarization

- Economic factors

Poor conditions of rural & urban workers

Trade unionism -> unrest 

- Political opposition

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