Summary
The Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) was the conflict that pitted two sides of Spaniards against each other. It began with a military coup against the government of the Second Republic. The country was split in two: the Republican side, loyal to the government, and the rebel or Nationalist side, led by General Francisco Franco.
It was a very harsh war, with episodes like the bombing of Guernica, and foreign powers intervened: Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy helped the rebels. It ended in 1939 with Franco's victory, who imposed a dictatorship that lasted almost 40 years, until his death in 1975.
Key points
- The Spanish Civil War lasted from 1936 to 1939.
- It began with a coup against the Second Republic.
- Two sides: the Republican and the rebel (Nationalist), Franco's.
- The bombing of Guernica is one of its best-known episodes.
- Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy intervened.
- It ended in 1939 with Franco's victory.
- It gave way to a dictatorship of almost 40 years.