The Spanish Civil War was fought between the left-wing Popular Front and the right-wing National Front. It began in 1931 when the King of Spain fled into exile after democratic elections showed the people wanted a republic. In 1936, the Popular Front won the general election and took over the government, but an economic crisis and military rebellion led by Emilio Mola caused unrest. The National Front was supported by Portugal, Italy, Germany, and the Catholic Church, while the Popular Front was supported by Mexico, the Soviet Union, and some Americans. The Nationalist Army took control of Madrid and Badajoz, and Francisco Franco became commander of the Nationalist army and head of state. The Popular Front was weakened after the execution of many leaders in Barcelona in 1937 and the complete destruction of the republican army in a battle on the Ebro in 1938. The National Front won Barcelona, Catalunya, and Madrid in 1939, and Franco took control of the government, declaring the Spanish Civil War over.
The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), was fought between the left-wing Popular Front and the right-wing National Front. One of the first events leading to it occurred in 1931, when the King of Spain agreed to calls for democratic elections. In these elections, the people made it clear that they wanted to have a republic and the king fled into exile. A general election later that year brought the Socialist Party to power and Manuel Azaña became prime minister.
In 1936, Azaña helped organize four left-wing political parties into the Popular Front, which was opposed by the right-wing National Front. The Popular Front won the general election that year and took over the government. Shortly after, an economic crisis precipitated strikes and the military rebelled, led by Emilio Mola. While the revolt was only successful in certain areas of Spain, it was enough to make Azaña want to step down. However, other leaders believed that he could prevent further uprisings, so Azana remained in power. Despite his best efforts, many Europeans belonging to the socialist and communist parties came to Spain to help the Popular Front in the Spanish Civil War.
During the Spanish Civil War, Antonio Salazar, President of Portugal, Benito Mussolini, Prime Minister of Italy, and Adolf Hitler, Führer of Germany, supported the National Front to protect their authoritarian governments. Within Spain, the National Front also had the support of the Catholic Church. The Popular Front was supported by Mexico, the Soviet Union and some Americans.
The first large-scale battles of the Spanish Civil War took place in 1936 in Madrid, when the right-wing Nationalist army bombarded Madrid. Shortly thereafter, the Nationalist Army took control of the city of Badajoz, killing and/or raping many within the city who were believed to support the Popular Front. At the end of 1936, the National Front named Francisco Franco commander of the Nationalist army and head of state.
A 1937 battle that took place in Barcelona resulted in the execution of many Popular Front leaders which weakened the Popular Front as a whole. Subsequently, the Popular Front-controlled republican army was completely destroyed in a battle on the Ebro in 1938. The National Front won Barcelona, Catalunya and Madrid two years later, and the National Front took control of the government, led by Francisco Frank. . Once in power, Franco declared the Spanish Civil War over.
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