The Spanish Civil war took place from 1936 to 1939 and was won by the Nationalists who defeated the Second Spanish Republic. When looking at the war from the Nationalists perspective, it could be said that the three main reasons for their victory was the foreign support they received from countries such as Portugal, Italy and Germany, their continual success in taking territories during the war, and their leader, General Francisco Franco who played a major role in making them victorious. (http://ibatpv.org) This essay will also consider the reasons as to why the Republicans were defeated, exploring their political disunity and the military as well as economic problems they faced.
The Spanish Civil war was a conflict that has a gross impact on Spain to this day, as well as affecting many other
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In 1936, right after the start of the war, the Nationalists took the main Spanish naval base and soon after captured Guipúzcoa and Irun, therefore weakening the Republicans by isolating their northern provinces and closing the French border. That same year Franco succeeded in preventing the Republicans from taking Alcazar, which they had been protecting since the beginning of the war, highlighting the strength and power that they had over the Republicans. Also, at the Battle of Teruel the Republicans took the city of Teruel from the Nationalists, but with help from Germany and Italy, they retrieved the city, enforcing their victory prone tendencies. By 1938 the Republicans were suing for peace, but the relentless nature of the Nationalists had them calling for unconditional surrender. Even more evidence of their soon-to-be victory was achieved at the Battle of Ebro in which the Republican launched campaign failed and defeated their morale. After Franco’s capture of Catalonia, they took Madrid and Valencia surrendered. Victory was declared April 1, 1939.