Eastern Front Prelude #0.7 The Spanish Civil War

Last time we spoke about Soviet Conflicts of the 1930s. In the aftermath of World War I, Germany descended into chaos, setting the stage for Adolf Hitler's rise to power. Seizing on public disillusionment, he dismantled democracy and expanded Germany's territory, straining relations across Europe. Concurrently, Joseph Stalin's Soviet Union embarked on rapid industrialization under the Five-Year Plans, marred by brutal purges that instilled fear among citizens. The intertwining of these authoritarian regimes heightened tensions, leading to conflict throughout the continent. Amidst this turmoil, the Soviets engaged in several key conflicts with neighboring states, particularly in Manchuria, Xinjiang and Finland. Their rivalry with Japan over territories culminated in fierce skirmishes, especially at Lake Khasan and Khalkhin Gol, where the Red Army showcased its capabilities. Ultimately, the political upheavals and territorial ambitions of both Hitler and Stalin set the stage for the global conflict that became World War II, reshaping the world landscape forever.

This episode is Prelude #7 The Spanish Civil War

Well hello there, welcome to the Easter Front week by week podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about world war two? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on world war two and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel you can find a few videos all the way from the Opium Wars of the 1800’s until the end of the Pacific War in 1945. 

Hello again, today we are going to be delving into the Spanish Civil War, an event many came to refer to as the dress rehearsal of WW2. Spain had long been marked by political instability. The monarchy, which had ruled for centuries, faced growing discontent in the early 20th century. The abdication of King Alfonso 13th in 1931 led to the establishment of the Second Spanish Republic. The new government was characterized by its progressive reforms, such as land redistribution, labor rights, and secularization of education. However, this alienated conservative and religious sectors of society, particularly the military, the Catholic Church, and landowners.Spain's social structure was also sharply divided. The rural population, especially in the south, struggled with poverty, illiteracy, and oppressive landlordism. The rise of labor unions and anarchist movements sought to address these inequalities but faced violent repression from the authorities. In urban areas, a burgeoning middle class emerged, advocating for political and economic reforms. The clash between the conservative force defending the status quo and the leftist groups pushing for change created a highly polarized environment.

The 1930s saw the rise of extremist ideologies in Spain. On the left, the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party or “PSOE” and anarchist groups like the Confederación Nacional del Trabajo or “CNT” both gained momentum. On the right, factions such as the monarchists, conservative politicians, and fascist movements like the Falange emerged, promoting a return to traditional values and strong centralized authority. This ideological struggle exacerbated existing tensions and laid the groundwork for conflict.

The global economic crisis of the 1930s further strained Spain. Unemployment soared, and agricultural prices plummeted, leading to widespread hardship. The government's attempts to implement reforms and stabilize the economy were met with resistance from conservative factions who feared losing their privileges and power. Economic instability fueled social unrest, causing strikes and protests to become more frequent and violent. Attempts to create a broad-based coalition government in the Republic faced significant challenges. The government switched between various political alignments, leftist coalitions, moderate governments, and power-sharing arrangements, each unable to effectively address the rising tensions. The fragmentation of political parties into competing factions made governance increasingly difficult, leading to a power vacuum that extremist groups exploited. As political tensions escalated, both sides began forming armed militias. The left established groups like the Juventud Socialista and the FAI “Iberian Anarchist Federation”, while the right saw the rise of the Spanish Legion and later, the Carlists. These militias often clashed on the streets, increasing violence and fear among the populace.

In the six years leading up to the Spanish Civil War, which began in 1936, Spain experie