Red Terror (Spain) facts for kids

"Execution" of the Sacred Heart by a Republican firing squad is an example of "an assault on the public presence of Catholicism". The image was originally published in the London Daily Mail with a caption noting the "Spanish Reds' war on religion".

The Red Terror (Spanish: Terror Rojo) was a period of violence in Spain from 1936 until the end of the Spanish Civil War. This violence was carried out by some left-wing groups. When a military uprising happened in July 1936, it led to a strong reaction. Almost all areas controlled by the Republicans saw systematic violence against those they considered enemies. This violence was especially aimed at the Catholic Church.

Thousands of people were killed during this time. This included 6,832 priests and other religious figures, mostly in the summer of 1936. There were also attacks on wealthy families, business owners, and supporters of conservative political parties. Many monasteries, convents, and churches were damaged or burned.

Before this, Spain had become very divided politically. People's support for Catholicism often showed which political side they were on. The Church was mostly linked to conservative and far-right parties, which were against the left-wing groups.

When the military uprising failed in July 1936, it led to a violent attack on those seen as enemies by revolutionaries. In areas where the rebellion failed, simply being a priest, a religious person, or a strong Christian could lead to execution without a trial. Some historians believe that between 38,000 and 72,344 people died during the Red Terror. Historian Paul Preston estimates the number was a little under 50,000.

Some historians have connected the Red Terror to the White Terror (violence by the other side). They suggest that the failed military uprising allowed this brutal violence to grow. In recent years, the Catholic Church has honored hundreds of these victims, calling them martyrs. For example, 498 victims were honored in one ceremony in 2007.

There were also conflicts among the Republican groups themselves. For example, communists who followed Stalinism declared other groups, like the Workers' Party of Marxist Unification (POUM) and anarchists, to be illegal. The Stalinists carried out violence, including torture and executions, against these other Republican groups. George Orwell wrote about this in his book Homage to Catalonia.

Why the Violence Started

The Second Spanish Republic was formed in 1931. Its new government and the Spanish Constitution of 1931 were against the power of the Catholic Church. This made the relationship between the new government and the Church very difficult from the start.

The constitution allowed civil liberties but limited the Church's property use. It also stopped religious groups from running schools. Even some people who supported separating church and state felt that the constitution was too harsh on the Church. For example, José Ortega y Gasset said that the article about the Church was "highly improper."

In 1933, Pope Pius XI also spoke out against the Spanish Republican Government. He said it was taking away religious freedom for Catholics in his letter Dilectissima Nobis.

Some historians believe that the Republic's "hostile" approach to the Church was a major reason why democracy broke down and the civil war began. One expert said that the biggest mistake of the 1931 Constitution was its negative attitude towards the Catholic Church.

After the 1936 Spanish general election in February 1936, political tensions grew even more. Violence between the government and its supporters, the Popular Front, and the opposition increased. This led to the military uprising by right-wing generals in July. As the year went on, both sides became more violent. Republicans began attacking churches and taking over land.

The 1933 Election and What Happened Next

Before the Civil War, politics in Spain were already very harsh and violent. In the 1933 elections, a party called CEDA won the most seats. However, the President did not ask their leader to form a government. Instead, he asked another party, the Radical Republican Party, to do so. CEDA supported this government in exchange for some positions.

This made the conflict between the left and right even worse. Spain saw many strikes and street fights. A notable event was a miners' revolt in northern Spain in 1934. Most rebellions were stopped by the government, and many people were arrested.

Murders of Priests in Asturias in 1934

Some people believe the Red Terror began with the murder of 37 priests and religious students in Asturias in October 1934. The Asturian Revolution was strongly against the Church. It involved violence against priests and the destruction of 58 churches, which was rare before then.

In Turón, a coal-mining town in Asturias, a Catholic school was being run illegally by the De La Salle Brothers. This angered local left-wing politicians because the Brothers refused to stop religious practices, which went against the Constitution's ban on religious education. On October 5, 1934, rebels entered the Brothers' home. A priest, Padre Innocencio, was there to say Mass. He and the Brothers were arrested and then executed by a firing squad in the cemetery that same night.

The Popular Front Victory in 1936

In the 1936 elections, a new group of parties called the Popular Front won. This group included socialists, liberals, communists, and other regional groups. The election was very close. The Popular Front won 34 percent of the vote, and the current government won 33 percent.

Because the Socialists refused to join the new government, there was a general fear of revolution. This fear grew when Largo Caballero, a socialist leader, announced that the country was about to have a revolution.

How Many People Died?

The number of people killed during the Red Terror varies in different estimates. Historian Antony Beevor suggests 38,000 deaths. Julio de la Cueva estimates 72,344 lives were lost. Other historians like Hugh Thomas and Paul Preston put the number at 55,000. Julian Casanova believes it was fewer than 60,000.

Historian Stanley G. Payne noted that the exact numbers might never be known. He suggested that the left killed more people in the early months. However, the other side's violence likely peaked after the war ended.

Religious People Killed

Estimates of how many religious men were killed vary. One estimate says that out of 30,000 priests and monks in Spain in 1936, 13% of priests and 23% of monks were killed. This adds up to 6,800 religious people. About 283 religious women were also killed, some after being badly tortured.

Thirteen bishops were killed. They all chose to stay in their cities despite the danger. One bishop, the Bishop of Cuenca, said, "I cannot go, only here is my responsibility, whatever may happen."

In addition, 4,172 priests, 2,364 monks and friars were killed. This included many from different religious groups like the Claretians, Franciscans, Piarists, and Jesuits. In some areas, a very high percentage of priests were killed:

• In Barbastro, 123 out of 140 priests (about 88%) were killed.
• In Lleida, 270 out of 410 priests (about 66%) were killed.
• In Tortosa, 44% of the priests were killed.
• In Toledo, 286 out of 600 priests were killed.
• In the areas of Málaga, Menorca, and Segorbe, about half of the priests were killed.

In 2001, the Catholic Church honored hundreds of these victims as martyrs. In 2007, 498 more were honored.

A Spanish newspaper, La Razon, published an article in 2008 about the number of Catholic clergy killed:

• May 1931: 100 church buildings were burned. Firefighters refused to put out the fires.
• 1932: 3,000 Jesuits were forced to leave. Churches were burned in 7 cities without punishment.
• 1934: 33 priests were murdered during the Asturias Revolution.
• 1936: The day before the war started (July 18), 17 religious people were murdered.
• From July 18 to August 1: 861 religious people were murdered in two weeks.
• August 1936: 2,077 religious people were murdered, more than 70 a day. This included 10 bishops.
• September 14: 3,400 religious people were murdered during the early parts of the war.

What People Thought About It

The Republican Side

People on the Republican side had different views on the "Red Terror." President Manuel Azaña famously said that all the convents in Madrid were not worth one Republican life. However, Socialist leader Indalecio Prieto spoke on the radio in August 1936, asking Republican fighters not to copy the violent actions of the military rebels.

Still, some Republican newspapers praised groups that arrested and often killed people believed to be Nationalists. For example, El Socialista, the Socialist Party newspaper, called the work of one such group "necessary" and "indispensable."

The Nationalist Side

The leaders of the Catholic Church in Spain believed that the Red Terror was a planned attack against the Church. Before he was killed, a politician named José Calvo Sotelo told the Spanish Parliament in April 1936 that in just six weeks, there had been 199 attacks, with 36 on churches. He listed 136 fires and bombings, including 106 burned churches. He also claimed 74 people died and 345 were injured.

In July 1937, Spanish bishops sent a letter to other Catholic bishops. They said Spain was divided into two sides: one against religion and Spain, and the other supporting religious and national order. The Church felt it had to side with those who defended its freedom and right to exist.

In areas controlled by the Nationalists, people felt hope and a religious revival. Victories were celebrated with religious services. Laws against the Church were removed, and Catholic schools became legal again. Military chaplains were brought back, and attitudes towards the Church changed from hostility to respect.

Reported Acts of Violence

• 6,832 members of the Catholic clergy and religious groups were killed, along with thousands of regular people.
• The priest of Navalmoral was made to suffer in a way that copied Christ's Crucifixion. The attackers then debated whether to actually crucify him or just shoot him. They ended up shooting him.
• The Bishop of Jaén, Manuel Basulto y Jiménez, and his sister were killed in front of two thousand cheering people by a special executioner, a woman known as La Pecosa (the freckled one).
• The priest of Ciempozuelos was thrown into a pen with fighting bulls. He was gored until he was unconscious. Then, one of his ears was cut off, like a bullfighter's prize.
• There are stories of people connected to the Catholic Church being forced to swallow rosary beads, being thrown down mine shafts, and priests being forced to dig their own graves before being buried alive.
• An eyewitness, Cristina de Arteaga, who later became a nun, said that attackers "attacked the Salesians, people who are totally committed to the poor. There was a rumor that nuns were giving poisoned sweets to children. Some nuns were grabbed by the hair in the streets. One had her hair pulled out..."
• On the night of July 19, 1936, 50 churches were burned. In Barcelona, out of 58 churches, only the cathedral was saved. Similar events happened almost everywhere in Republican Spain.
• All Catholic churches in the Republican zone were closed. Attacks were not limited to Catholic churches; synagogues were also looted and closed, though some small Protestant churches were spared.
• The Bishop of Almeria was killed while working on a history book. His research notes were destroyed.
• In Madrid, a nun was killed because she refused a marriage proposal from a fighter who helped attack her convent.

What Happened After

When the Nationalists won the war in 1939, the Red Terror ended. However, some small attacks by remaining communists and socialists continued for a while. Across the country, the Catholic Church held special services to thank God for the victory.

Many left-wing people were put on trial for their actions during the Red Terror, though not all were guilty. After Franco's victory, thousands of people were executed without trial. Many were imprisoned or forced to work on projects like building railways or canals. The killing of Lluís Companys, the president of the Catalan government, in 1940 was a notable example of this early punishment.

The new Pope Pius XII sent a message of congratulations to the Spanish government and people in April 1939. He mentioned his predecessor, Pope Pius XI, who had spoken about the past violence and the need to protect religion. The Pope said that the victims of the terror died for Jesus Christ. He wished peace for the Spanish people. He also asked them to fairly punish Republicans who were responsible for serious actions, but also to be kind to the many others who were on the other side.

A Scottish communist named Hamish Fraser, who had served in the Republican army's secret police, later became Catholic after World War II. He supported Spain rejoining the international community. He compared the Red Terror and the harsh actions against people in Spain to what happened in Eastern Europe after the war.

In 2007, the Vatican honored 498 priests killed by the Spanish Republican Army during the civil war. Relatives of Catholics killed by the Nationalists have asked for similar recognition, pointing out the different treatment.

See also

In Spanish: Terror Rojo (España) para niños

• Spanish Civil War
• White Terror (Spain)
• Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War
• 233 Spanish Martyrs
• 498 Spanish Martyrs
• Paracuellos massacre
• Republican repression in Madrid (1936-1939)
• Political terror
• Calles Law - Similar anti-Catholic persecutions in Mexico