Spanish Civil War facts for kids

The famous Oak of Guernica

The Spanish Civil War was a big fight in Spain from July 18, 1936, to April 1, 1939. It was a war where General Francisco Franco and his army took control of the country.

Many different groups tried to stop Franco. They supported the Spanish Republic, which was the government at that time. These groups included socialists, communists, anarchists, and other left-leaning groups.

Franco's army got help from other countries. Germany and Italy, which had fascist governments, sent soldiers and supplies. The Soviet Union, a communist country, sold weapons to the Republican forces.

Many people from other countries also came to fight against Franco. They were called the International Brigades. These volunteers came from places like the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, and even Germany and Italy. They often fought even when their own governments told them not to.

The war ended on April 1, 1939, when the last Republican soldiers gave up. Franco then ruled Spain until he died in 1975.

Location of Guernica in Spain

About half a million people died in this war. Both sides did terrible things during the fighting. One very famous event was the bombing of Guernica. On April 26, 1937, planes from Germany's Condor Legion bombed the town of Guernica. This was the first time so many regular people were hurt or killed in a bombing. News of this bombing spread around the world. It showed everyone that Germany was involved in the war.

What Caused the Spanish Civil War?
- Different Ideas in Spain
- The Army's Uprising
Who Fought in the War?
Key Events of the War
What Happened After the War?
Images for kids
See also

What Caused the Spanish Civil War?

The Spanish Civil War happened because of many disagreements in Spain. For a long time, Spain had been divided. Some people wanted a modern, democratic country. Others wanted to keep old traditions and a strong government.

Different Ideas in Spain

Spain had a king for many years. But in 1931, the king left, and the Second Spanish Republic was formed. This new government tried to make many changes. They wanted to give land to poor farmers. They also wanted to reduce the power of the church and the army.

These changes made many people angry. Rich landowners, the church, and parts of the army did not like the new Republic. They felt their way of life was being threatened.

The Army's Uprising

In July 1936, some army generals decided to take over the government. General Francisco Franco was one of these leaders. They started a military uprising across Spain. They hoped to quickly win control.

But the Republic fought back. Many ordinary people, including workers and farmers, joined to defend the government. This led to a full-scale civil war.

Who Fought in the War?

The war was mainly between two sides: the Nationalists and the Republicans.

The Nationalists

The Nationalists were led by General Franco. They wanted a strong, central government. They were supported by:

Parts of the Spanish army.
The Catholic Church.
Wealthy landowners and business owners.
Groups like the Falange, who were similar to fascists.

The Republicans

The Republicans supported the elected government. They wanted a more democratic and fair Spain. Their supporters included:

Workers and farmers.
People who believed in socialism, communism, and anarchism.
People who wanted more rights for different regions of Spain.

Help from Other Countries

The Spanish Civil War became a bigger fight because other countries got involved.

Germany and Italy helped Franco's Nationalists. They sent planes, tanks, and soldiers. They saw this as a chance to test their new weapons.
The Soviet Union helped the Republicans. They sent weapons and military advisors.
Many people from around the world joined the International Brigades to fight for the Republicans. They believed they were fighting for freedom against fascism.

Key Events of the War

The war lasted almost three years. There were many important battles and events.

The Battle for Madrid

Madrid was the capital city. The Nationalists tried to capture it early in the war. But the Republicans fought hard and defended the city for a long time. This showed that the war would not be over quickly.

The Bombing of Guernica

As mentioned, the bombing of Guernica in 1937 was a terrible event. German planes bombed this small town in northern Spain. It caused many civilian deaths and shocked the world. This event was painted by the famous artist Pablo Picasso in his painting "Guernica."

The End of the War

By 1938, the Nationalists were winning most of the battles. They had more supplies and better organization. In early 1939, they captured Barcelona, a major Republican city.

On April 1, 1939, the last Republican forces surrendered. General Franco declared the war over. He became the leader of Spain.

What Happened After the War?

After the war, General Franco ruled Spain as a dictator. This meant he had total control.

He stopped political parties and unions.
People who had supported the Republic were often punished.
Spain remained neutral during World War II, but Franco's government was friendly with Germany and Italy.

Franco ruled Spain until he died in 1975. After his death, Spain slowly became a democratic country again. The Spanish Civil War left a deep mark on the country. It is still an important part of Spain's history.

Images for kids

On April 12, 1931, the Republicans won elections. The Second Spanish Republic was then created. King Alfonso XIII went into exile.
General Emilio Mola helped plan the army's uprising.
Age limits for soldiers on both sides.
Republican soldiers during the battle of Irún in 1936.
Manuel Azaña was a leader of the Second Republic during the war.
Republican volunteers in Teruel, 1936.
Falange soldiers in Saragossa, October 1936.
Italian troops with a howitzer at Guadalajara, 1937.
A German officer from the Condor Legion training Nationalist soldiers, Ávila.
A Condor Legion Junkers Ju 87 plane.
The Etkar André battalion of the International Brigades.
Polish volunteers in the International Brigades.
Soviet armored vehicles used by the Republican People's Army.
A Loire 46 plane of the Spanish Republican Air Force.
Map of Spain in September 1936: Area under Nationalist control Area under Republican control
Republican soldiers surrendering in Somosierra, 1936.
The funeral of anarchist Buenaventura Durruti in Barcelona.
Map of Spain in October 1937: Area under Nationalist control Area under Republican control
Ruins of Guernica after the bombing.
Map of Spain in July 1938: Area under Nationalist control Area under Republican control
Map of Spain in February 1939: Area under Nationalist control Area under Republican control
Franco arriving in San Sebastian in 1939.
Franco announces the end of the war.
Children preparing to leave, some giving the Republican salute (raised fist).
A one-peseta Nationalist money note from 1937.
A one-peseta Republican money note from 1937.
Women asking Nationalists to spare prisoners' lives, Constantina, 1936.
Map of Spanish Civil War grave sites.
Nationalist SM.81 planes bombing Madrid in November 1936.
Children taking cover during the bombing of Madrid (1936–1937).
Bombing in Barcelona, 1938.
A statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus being "executed" by Communist soldiers.
Two women and a man at the siege of the Alcázar in Toledo, 1936.
Women from FAI during the Spanish Social Revolution.
A square in Barcelona named Plaça de George Orwell.
A tribute to teachers who were killed or hurt in Navarre, 1936.
Spanish children who found a new home in Mexico.