Why Did the Nationalists Win the Spanish Civil War?

Achilleas Sarantaris 2/10/11 Republicans Nationalists Political Strengths/weaknesses *Caballeros rule weakened because Republicans were politically split due to different ideologies communists vs. socialists who believed revolution should be postponed, syndicalists who believed war could only be won through new policies. *Terror tactics to control increasing population led to resistance*May Days way fightinging communists and socialists vs. narchists enhanced disunity * main(prenominal) strength was their unity. Franco would assume political and military command because Nationalists wanted structured command. Falange Espaniola Tradicionalista, Francos new merged party, had 1,070,000 members. *Supported from the church which opposed the left*Franco gained power and authority from his victories in the battlefield Military strengths/weaknesses *Lacked strong military leaders, no unified command anarchists and Basques refused to be led by a central command structure. Loyal army of ficers were not trusted by the Republic. Dependent on hazardous ineffective militia units, different fronts operated separately *Even though initial disunity, Africanistas contained the best man in the country thus they could cover other forces. *Key to success was unified command. Francos leadership was accepted by other right-wing parties, including Italians. *Sound communicators, military equipment and large amount of junior officers together with Francos ability as a military leader were decisive factors. Economic advantages/disadvantages *Under anarchist control utilities worked by workers committees, collective farms set up.However they could not supply the needs of the republic to fight the war. *Production in Catalan fell by 2/3 between 1936 and 1939. *Due to Non-Intervention committee trade only with USSR, which led to the entire gold reserves of Spain being used up * indorse by business community, hence they could buy war supplies. *Main industrial areas under their co ntrol. *Benefited from unrestricted foreign trade. USA gave $700 million in credit to the Nationalists. Foreign Assistance *Far more than limited than that of the Nationalists main ally USSR. *No Soviet troops send to fight, only 1000 aircrafts, 750 tanks and some advisers, which had to be fear for. *International Brigade sent 35. 000 foreign volunteers with limited impact. 1938 Soviets withdrew support and IB left. Francs initial aid ended when it linked Britains Non-Intervention *Foreign aid was a crucial factor in the Nationalists victory. *Rebels benefited from more aid of better quality than that given to Republicans. Francos army airlifted by Germans to mainland. *German condor legion 10,000 troops, 800 aircraft, 200 tanks. Italians 75,000 troops, 750 planes and 150 tanks. Portuguese 20,000 troops. *Key factor not man power, but ripe(p) technology and equipment they received. p