Origins and Causes of the Spanish Civil War - Power of the Military in Spanish Politics

6 important questions on Origins and Causes of the Spanish Civil War - Power of the Military in Spanish Politics

Historically, what examples demonstrated the power of the Spanish military to influence and control politics?

  1. 1874: First Spanish Republic was overthrown by the liberal general, Arsenio Martinez Campos
  2. 1898: Coup contemplated by military governor Camilo Polavieja, after Spanish defeat by USA meant loss of the Philippines as a colony.
  3. 1923: Colonial defeat in Morocco, led to a coup by the king and Miguel Primo de Rivera, who was commanding the Catalonian army, where the Spanish constitution was suspended, and Rivera's party - Union Patriotica Espanola - was only one allowed.
  4. 1930: After Rivera's dismissal, he was followed by another general - Berenguer - and then an admiral - Aznar - before the Second Republic.

What was main difference between Africanistas and the Juntas?

The Juntas were 'career officers' in Spain, whilst the Africanistas were a reckless, brutal 'storm trooper' colonial force. Both opposed the new Republic reforms, however the Juntas supported the Republic, and Africanistas spearhead the revolt.

What was the most brutal and dangerous part of the Spanish Army?

theForeign Legion which was a sub-unit of the Africanistas, and led by Francisco Franco, was nicknamed the 'Bridegrooms of Death':
  1. They were intensely nationalistic
  2. Saw themselves a Spain's 'saviours' from the unholy Republic
  3. Felt need to 'protect Spain' from communists, anarchists, freemasons or anticlerical liberals
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What were the military policies of the Second Republic first government under Azana? Why were these unpopular?

  1. Military judicial tribunals no longer had authority over civilians
  2. the Army had to swear an oath to the Republic rather than being independent
  3. Military service time was reduced to a year
  4. The size of the officer core was reduced
  5. Zaragoza military academy, were those of the elite in the military were trained, was closed
  6. There was a renewed inquiry into the military failures in Morocco in the early 1920s; and officers were put on trial

Why were the Africanistas particularly frustrated with the Second Republic's military reforms?

Azada, the minister for war, military policy was:
  1. Promote Junteros
  2. held enquires into the mismanagement of Moroccan campaign, which affected the Africanistas rather than the Juntas

What evidence is there to suggest that a military coup was inevitable from the Africanistas against the Second Republic?

1932: Africanista general Sanjuro launched a premature coup

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