A History of the Kingdom of Spain
1936 - 1964
1936 - 1964
The history of the Kingdom of Spain between 1936 and 1964 has been retold countless times by historians, both Spanish and foreign. Owning to the events that took place during that period, the Spanish and American Civil Wars as well as the Second Weltkrieg and the scars it has left in European history, have made it a controversial subject for generations to come. However, me and my associates here at the University of Madrid feel that the time is finally ripe to write down an elaborate history of this period, and recount it as much from a neutral perspective as possible.
Spain at the time, was in political turmoil. The dictatorship had lost it's base of support, and the Morrocan War which only ended in 1926 after a German intervention, had taken their toll on Spain and her economy. Furthermore, the radicalisation of the Carlist and Syndicalist movements left no room for a democratic policy to be drawn. We could say this controversial part of Spanish history begins on March 28th 1936, the day the afterwaves of the stock market crash of Berlin, "Black Monday", reached Madrid.
Elections in bordering syndicalist ended with no direct winner, promting a compromise candidate, Souverain to take the position of leadership within the Commune. The CNT immediatelly attempted to being a programme of reliefing the unemployed workers layed of by German companies, but was met with Executive Order #645 which declared it illegal. What followed next, was the largest strike and riots ever in Spanish history.
The April 1936 Riots ended with 36 dead and over 800 arrested, but the ban on CNT was recalled. Xavier, the Carlist claimant accused Alfonso of not being able to rule any longer, citing the 'victory' of Syndicalist elements and the decision of the government to back out of the ban after the riots. In his personal diary, Alfonso first wrote of the Social Breakdown, the division of Spanish society between his supporters, Carlists and the anarchist CNT.
Xavier made a deal with Portugal and the Italian Federation, establishing the bases for an economic bloc between the three countries. Alfonso had no chance but to accept this, following the advise of his Cabinet, who warned against a crackdown on Carlists. More worrying news came after the end of the Third Internationale, with the Commune and the Union of Britain actively supporting the CNT, and promising it aid.
As Carlists also begun rallying, Alfonso finally had enough. An attempt was made to arrest Xavier in July, and his political organisation was banned. Unknown to the monarch, Xavier had fled a few days earlier to the Italian Federation. The wounds and the bloody aftermath of the Carlist Crackdown futher divided Spanish society, as well as the supporters of the monarchy.
The last months of 1936, were quite enough. Entering 1937, the efforts of the CNT finally payed off. Laid off workers found a job in the newly established 'Syndicate' Mines and a large series of public works from bridges to roads begun taking shape. However, the illusion did not last much longer. The Malaga Commune, the first insurection against royal rule erupted on March 1st 1937. The Battle of Malaga, lasting from March 2nd to March 9th saw a three sided battle between Alfononist, Carlist and CNT militia before the Royal Army entered the city and established order again. Spain had reached it's boiling point, but the last blow came two days after the Malaga Commune ended.
On March 11th 1937, King Alfonso suffered a heart attack, and fell on a coma. What was to follow, was the bloodiest conflict in Spain's history.
