FRANCO'S VICTORY

• Support of powerful groups
  • Large section of the army officers and civil guard
  • Aristocracy and sections of the middle class
  • The church and Catholic Spain

• Although regular army units and officers did fight for the Republic, Franco had the better trained and better armed troops including, crucially, the Army of African Republican Militias

• Franco imposed unity on his side and provided strong leadership and ruthless, albeit slow, path to victory. The Republic suffered serious divisions particularly associated with the rise of the communists and the aspirations of the libertarians.

• Foreign aid to Franco from Germany, Italy and Portugal outweighed foreign aid to the Republic both in quality and quantity. The non-intervention committee hurt the Republic and did little harm to Franco. Russian aid was important but limited …and of limited quality…and at a price, both financial and political. This and the International Brigades saved Madrid…but were not enough to change the course of the war. International capital (eg Texaco) tended to back Franco.

By 1938 there were desperate shortages of food and other basics on the Republican home front. Conditions were approaching a major humanitarian crisis in Republican cities, especially in Madrid and Barcelona…Barcelona had a vast refugee population. Virtual collapse of the home front contributed to the Republic’s collap

By 1938 there were desperate shortages of food and other basics on the Republican home front. Conditions were approaching a major humanitarian crisis in Republican cities, especially in Madrid and Barcelona…Barcelona had a vast refugee population. Virtual collapse of the home front contributed to the Republic’s collap