Why did the Nationalists win the Spanish Civil War? Nationalists strengths, Republican weaknesses 4.5 / 5 based on 3 ratings ? HistoryInternational Baccalaureate Created by: RosaCreated on: 24-02-11 09:13 Nationalist Strengths Political Military Economic Foreign Assistance 1 of 10 Political Franco centralized the command of the party: Carlists and the Falange were unified to create the Falange Espanola Tradicionalista party in April 1937 Had support from the Church - led to peasant support Used propaganda and terror to control areas under Nationalist control Not undermined by foreign intervention: clear, strong leader 2 of 10 Military Had a unified command, Franco's leadership accepted by all generals Nationalists were a militaristic party: still had support of army, was a military coup, experienced - Army of Africa Had high quality equipment and communication, island of Gibraltar used as a base Franco had control over German, Italian and Portuguese troops as well as his own 3 of 10 Economic Had support from the business community and middle classes By September 1936 they had control over main food producing areas In 1937 they gained control of the main industrial areas Able to trade internationally with Britain and USA who gave an estimated $700 million in credit during the war 4 of 10 Foreign Assistance Nationalists received more aid which was continuous throughout the war and of high quality (from Germany, Italy and Portugal) Germany's airfoce used in airlift from Morrocco to mainland in coup German Condor Legion used in bombing of Guernica - had control of the air from 1937 Germany: 10 000 troops, 800 aircraft, 200 tanks Italy: 70 000 troops, 750 aircraft, 150 tanks 5 of 10 Republican Weaknesses Political Military Economic Foreign Assistance 6 of 10 Political Political divisions within Republicans: Communists & Socialists opposed to the Anarchits - May Days 1937: fighting between these two groups Communists and socialists wanted revolution to be postponed until after war Anarchists believed the war could only be won through revolution Caballero's leadership was weak, struggled to maintain a centralized control due to Anarchist dominance in some areas Communists used terror - unpopular 7 of 10 Military No military leadership or unified command Communists and Anarchists wouldn't work together; Anarchist militias and Basque forces separate from Republican forces No experienced troops, the army was not trusted Reliant on militias until the end of 1936 when the Popular Army was formed 8 of 10 Economic Collective farming and workers' committees controlling industry and transport but this was not sufficient to support the war efford Production in Catalonia fell by 2/3 between 1936-39 Food and raw materials shortages Inflation readhed 300%, wages only increased by 15% USSR was the only country that would trade with them Had to pay for Soviet aid in gold 9 of 10 Foreign Assistance Republicans only received limited support from USSR No Soviet troops were sent, 1000 aircraft, 750 tanks, some advisors Inefficient, old equipment Britain and France refused to get involved, only sent volunteers in International Brigades (inexperienced, no great impact) Soviets withdrew support in June 1938 - led to Republican defeat 10 of 10
Comments
No comments have yet been made