Evolution of war

The war lasted nearly three years (1936–1939). There were three phases:

The Campaign Around Madrid (July 1936 – March 1937):

At the beginning of August, thanks to the help of Italian and German planes, the Moroccan army crossed the strait of Gibraltar and by the end of October they had  already reached Madrid.

 

Recovering Madrid was the main objective of the Nationalists. The offensive lasted all winter. The Republican government left the capital and named a “Xunta Militar” to defend the city.

The Republicans were able to fight off the Nationalists with the help of the International Brigades, as well as Soviet planes and tanks.

The Republicans were defeated at the battle of Jarama (February 1937) and at the Battle of Guadalajara (March 1937).

After the defeat, the nationalists concentrated their effort in other fronts.

 

The North Front (April – October 1937)

Franco's army went to the North with the aim of invading industrial places along the Cantabrian coast on 26th April 1937. The Germany air force, the Condor legion, bombed Guernica. After this, the Basque Country was in the hands of the Nationalists. In August, Santander and Asturias became Nationalists (Nationalists got Santander and Asturias after this)

Republicans attacked Brunete (Madrid) and Belchite (Zaragoza) but they failed.

 

The End of the War (October 1937 – April 1939)

At the end of 1937, Franco went to the eastern front and conquered Teruel. Then he advanced to the Mediterranean coast leaving Catalonia isolated from the rest of the Republican area. The Republican area was divided. To solve this problem, the Republicans  crossed the Ebro river  and  attacked  Franco's troops

from behind. This is called the Battle of Ebro. It lasted more than three months. The Republican army was nearly destroyed.

 

After this, the Nationalists advanced through Barcelona in January 1939. In March, Franco's troops seized Madrid and the war ended.

1)    As a result of the civil war there were nearly 500,000 casualties.

2)    A lot of people went into exile.

3)    The country was devastated.