Key figures (brief)

• Francisco Franco — Leader of the Nationalist rebels, later head of state of Spain.
• Manuel Azaña — President of the Spanish Republic (during key periods of the war).
• Dolores Ibárruri (La Pasionaria) — Prominent Republican speaker and symbol of Republican resistance.
• International Brigades — Volunteers from many countries who fought for the Republic.
• General Emilio Mola — One of the main plotters and Nationalist commanders (died 1937).
• Buenaventura Durruti — Anarchist leader who played a role on the Republican side.

(Names and roles are documented in ILN coverage and standard histories of the conflict.)

Key Events

• August 1936

  • Battle of Badajoz: Nationalist Army of Africa captures Badajoz after heavy fighting; mass reprisals reported.

  • Relief of the Alcázar begins: Nationalist forces move to relieve the siege of the Alcázar garrison in Toledo.

  • Foreign intervention accelerates:
    – Germany and Italy send aircraft and military support to the Nationalists.
    – Soviet advisers begin assisting the Republic.

  September 1936

  • International Non-Intervention Committee formed (Britain & France push policy).

  • Francisco Largo Caballero becomes Republican Prime Minister.

  • Nationalists advance toward Madrid for the first major assault.

  October 1936

  • Franco confirmed as Generalísimo and Head of State of Nationalist Spain.

  • First International Brigade units arrive in Spain to support the Republicans.

  • Nationalists capture Toledo, lifting the siege of the Alcázar — an enormous propaganda victory.

  November 1936

  • Battle of Madrid (first major assault):
    Nationalists attempt to take the capital; the city resists.

  • Republican Government relocates to Valencia for safety.

  • Heavy German & Italian involvement in bombing Madrid.

  December 1936

  • Battle of the Corunna Road: Nationalist attempt to encircle Madrid and cut supply routes.

  • Italian “volunteer” troops begin arriving in large numbers (Corpo Truppe Volontarie).

  • Front stabilises; Madrid holds.

   

• April 26, 1937 — Bombing of Guernica
  German and Italian air forces bomb the Basque town of Guernica, showing the war’s brutality and foreign involvement. Homeschool Spanish Academy+1

• May-November 1938 — Battle of the Ebro
  One of the largest battles in the war, the Republican attempt to change the momentum, but ultimately the Nationalists prevail. Homeschool Spanish Academy+1

• January 1939 — Fall of Barcelona / March 1939 — Nationalist capture of Madrid
  Key Republican strongholds fall. The capital Madrid is taken, marking the imminent end of the war. History of Spain+1

• April 1 1939 — Franco declares victory
  Francisco Franco formally proclaims the end of the war and begins his dictatorship.

 

 

Who Were the Rebels?
The Rebels — later known as the Nationalists — were led by General Francisco Franco and other senior officers who rose in July 1936 against Spain’s elected Popular Front government, the left-wing administration of the Second Spanish Republic. Their ranks included much of the regular army, particularly units from Spanish Morocco, together with monarchists, conservatives, and members of the Falange (Spain’s fascist movement). They received crucial support from Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Portugal.

The opposing Republicans comprised socialists, communists, anarchists, and regional nationalists, supported by the Soviet Union and the International Brigades of foreign volunteers.

 

 

Ships Controlled by General Franco. -- Ships Controlled by the Government

 

 

Civil war in Christmas weather: Spanish fighting in snow

 

Madrid under the terror from the skies : A church in ruins December 6th 1936