Spanish Civil War: Effects of War Notes

Key Questions

1. What were the social and economic effects of the war?
2. What were the short term and long term political effects of the war?
3. What territorial changes took place as a result of the war?
4. What was the impact of the war on the role and status of women?

Human Cost

1. The Spanish Civil War resulted in a devastating loss of life, with approximately 100,000 Republican fighters and around 70,000 Nationalist soldiers killed during the conflict.
2. After the war, Franco initiated a campaign of political repression, known as the “White Terror,” which led to the deaths of an additional estimated 40,000 to 200,000 individuals.
   1. Roughly a quarter of a million people fled Spain into exile, with many seeking refuge in camps in France.
   2. Thousands of Republicans and suspected sympathisers were imprisoned for years in concentration camps and jails across Spain.
   3. Many children of Republican families were removed from their parents for “re-education,” often being placed with Nationalist families or in orphanages where they were taught to reject their parents’ political beliefs.
3. These events left deep social divisions and bitterness that endured in Spanish society for decades.

Economic Cost

1. The war severely damaged Spain’s economy, destroying roughly 10–15% of the nation’s wealth and leaving per capita income in 1939 nearly a third lower than in 1935.
   1. Much of Madrid’s industrial infrastructure, including 70% of its factory machinery and its tram network, required complete reconstruction.
   2. One-third of Spain’s merchant fleet was unusable, and high inflation took hold due to wartime spending and the overprinting of currency.
2. Franco reversed land reforms introduced by the Republicans, which kept agriculture inefficient and left many labourers unemployed or underemployed.
3. Spain faced large foreign debts, and the shortage of skilled workers after the war made economic recovery slower.
   1. Attempts to secure loans from Britain and Germany were hindered by demands for repayment of existing debts and wartime assistance before new investment was considered.
4. The outbreak of World War Two created some economic opportunities, as Spain leveraged neutrality to gain trade agreements with Britain and France, but German exploitation of Spanish resources also weakened the economy.
5. Spain experienced famine in 1946, and by that time industrial output was still below 1918 levels.
6. Aid from Argentina helped in the short term, and in later decades, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s, economic reforms and global trade integration led to industrial growth and the development of a strong capitalist economy.

Political Effects

1. Franco emerged as the unchallenged ruler of Spain, maintaining an authoritarian dictatorship until his death in 1975.
   1. His regime justified its rule as a defence against Communism and used the “White Terror” to suppress Republican supporters, including intellectuals, writers, and artists.
   2. The Law of Political Responsibility allowed the confiscation of Republican-owned land, the imposition of heavy fines, and even the death penalty for political opponents.
2. Franco restored the privileges of the traditional elite and suppressed all left-wing and trade union activity, dissolving organisations such as the CNT and UGT.
3. In rural areas, existing inequalities were preserved, and the Civil Guard ensured continued control over workers.
4. Reforms made by the Republic regarding the Catholic Church were reversed, marking the 1950s as an era of close church-state cooperation.
5. Regional autonomy movements in Catalonia and the Basque Country were crushed, and the use of minority languages was banned, centralising all authority in Madrid.
6. Political repression created an appearance of unity, but divisions between victors and vanquished persisted until Franco’s death.
7. The defeat of Fascist powers in World War Two weakened Franco’s position, though he retained authority by placating monarchists and reducing the army’s political dominance.
8. In the 1960s, Franco gradually delegated power, paving the way for Spain’s return to democracy after his death.

International Effects

1. USSR and Communism

1. The defeat of the Spanish Republicans damaged the credibility of Communism internationally and disillusioned many left-wing supporters of the Soviet Union.
2. Stalin’s policies during the war created divisions within the left, further weakening the Soviet position in the West.
3. Soviet foreign policy shifted away from seeking alliances with Britain and France to a strategy that eventually led to the Nazi–Soviet Pact of 1939.

2. Hitler’s Germany and Mussolini’s Italy

1. Germany gained valuable military experience, including the use of coordinated air and ground assaults, fuel tank improvements, and communication technology in armoured units.
2. The bombing of civilians appeared to have some tactical value, influencing later Nazi strategies.
3. The war drew Germany and Italy into closer alliance, culminating in the Rome–Berlin Axis and the Pact of Steel.
4. Germany’s involvement distracted attention from its annexations in Austria and Czechoslovakia.
5. Italy’s military efforts in Spain were costly, contributing to economic weakness before World War Two.

3. Britain and France

1. The destruction of Spanish cities reinforced fears about future wars and increased public support for appeasement.
2. The non-intervention policy was intended to keep Britain and France out of the conflict but instead encouraged Hitler to be more aggressive.

4. United States

1. The USA remained officially neutral, with public opinion favouring isolationism despite awareness of atrocities committed in Spain.
2. After World War Two, the USA initially supported sanctions against Franco but shifted to supporting him during the Cold War as an anti-Communist ally.
3. Economic aid began in the 1950s in exchange for the use of Spanish military bases, and Spain was eventually admitted to the United Nations.

The Spanish Civil War and World War Two

1. The conflict boosted Hitler’s prestige at home and abroad.
   1. It fostered a closer relationship between Germany and Italy.
   2. It provided Hitler with direct military experience applicable to later European campaigns.
2. It distracted Britain and France, delaying effective opposition to Hitler.
3. It encouraged Soviet foreign policy changes that reduced the chances of a united front against Nazi Germany.
4. It increased public support in democratic nations for appeasement.

Impact of the Spanish Civil War on Women

1. Expanded Roles and Breakthroughs during the War

1. Women took on crucial roles as soldiers, nurses, factory workers, and activists, stepping into positions traditionally reserved for men.
2. In Republican areas, female combatants known as milicianas fought on the front lines, with over 1,000 serving in militias, though opportunities diminished as the war progressed.
3. Many women gained political visibility, with figures like Federica Montseny becoming the first female cabinet minister and Dolores Ibárruri inspiring the masses with her speeches.
4. Organizations such as Mujeres Libres empowered working-class women through education, publications, and direct participation in the anti-fascist struggle.
5. Female journalists such as Martha Gellhorn provided vivid coverage of the war, focusing on civilian suffering and challenging gendered perceptions of conflict.

2. Repression and Retrenchment after the Nationalist Victory

1. Under Franco, women were forced back into traditional domestic roles, reinforcing conservative gender norms.
2. Employment restrictions severely limited women’s opportunities, confining them to stereotypically “feminine” roles such as nursing and caregiving.
3. The regime promoted organizations like Sección Femenina, which focused on domestic training and emphasized motherhood, housekeeping, and Catholic values.
4. Laws reversed pre-war reforms, requiring women to obtain male permission for work, travel, or financial decisions, and imposed harsh penalties for adultery.
5. Many professional women who had advanced under the Republic were persecuted or barred from their roles, strengthening patriarchal control.

3. Legacy and Long-Term Effects

1. Despite repression, the conflict left a lasting legacy of resistance, with former Republican women continuing to organize, write, and demand justice for decades.
2. The experiences of women during the war inspired later feminist activism in Spain, laying the foundation for movements that emerged after Franco’s death.