Path to Civil War
Further ignorance by the ruling government only jeopardised Spain to a greater extent. President Azaña failed to realise the power of the army and did not see the menace it possessed, referring to such danger as a ‘myth’, ignoring the possibility of the army plotting against his Government, which it in fact was. Nothing seemed able to alter Azaña’s belief that he could rule a disorderly and divided country without an army to support him, yet Spain was divided by regions and into many groups including Anarchists, Socialists and Fascists. The final year leading up to the civil war was one of chaos; strikes were a daily occurrence, many people were murdered, separatists clamoured for independence, churches were destroyed and priests were killed. The Government looked on helplessly as each section of Spain continued its private war with those it hated. Prominent Spanish politician Gil Robles made a speech a few days before the Civil War begun, concluding: ‘A country can live under a monarchy or a republic, with a parliamentary or a presidential system, under Communism or Fascism. But it cannot live in anarchy… we are today present at the funeral service of a democracy’[1]. By 1936, Army conspirators knew that it was time to act and supporters were gathered for the cause by chief conspirator Emilio Mola. Groups with different aims had to be persuaded to work together, Carlists with Falangists, Monarchists with disappointed Liberals. By July their planning was finalised and on 12 July 1936 the Nationalists rebelling shot dead José Castillo, a member of the Republican Assault Guards. His furious comrades took revenge, by murdering Calvo Sotelo, an enemy of the Republic who was leader of the Opposition parties in the Cortes. The death of Sotelo was of great propaganda value to the rebelling generals, such as General Francisco Franco, as it could be blamed upon the Government. Sotelo’s death ultimately signalled the beginning of a revolution, however the revolt would have started regardless of his passing. Five days later the Civil War had begun.
[1] ‘The Causes of the Spanish Civil War’, History Learning Site, <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/causes_spanish_civil_war.htm>