Superior Leadership and Greater Unity of Nationalists
Beyond the quality of troops and equipment another factor that proved vital in the Spanish Civil War was the leadership, both politically and strategically. Throughout the war the Nationalists were more unified and were politically stronger than the Republicans. In areas like Catalonia there was a social and economic revolution in 1936, lead by Luis Companys, declaring Catalonia independent. The revolution meant, “…Significant land and industry properties were collectivized…” People became enraged at this. In May 1937 Republicans broke out fighting amongst themselves in Barcelona (anti-Stalinist Marxists and Communists). The socialist government under leadership of Francisco Largo Caballero …show more content…
Generalissimo Franco, got rid of all the political parties and merged the originally opposing Carlist and Falangist groups, leading to a united front led by him. In contrast to the Republicans, who would be plagued by infighting for the duration of the war. By October 1937 Franco further enhanced his political power by combining the roles of legislative, judicial and executive branches of the government into him and his deputies, making him undisputed and in control. In contrast much was written at the time about the chaos in the Republic ‘The Daily Mail…was able to represent Franco as a patriot delivering his country from hordes of fiendish ‘Reds’ it should, however, be taken into account, that Lord Rothemere at the time owner of the Daily Mail, was a friend of Hitler and Mussolini’s. Therefore it is possible to assume that Rothemere would paint Franco in a good light. Regardless this demonstrates that the country was politically divided, and because of the increasing communist influence, Franco was seen, to many, as a loyal Spaniard who wanted to defend his country from the Communist sphere of influence. This representation of him helped unite
Beyond the quality of troops and equipment another factor that proved vital in the Spanish Civil War was the leadership, both politically and strategically. Throughout the war the Nationalists were more unified and were politically stronger than the Republicans. In areas like Catalonia there was a social and economic revolution in 1936, lead by Luis Companys, declaring Catalonia independent. The revolution meant, “…Significant land and industry properties were collectivized…” People became enraged at this. In May 1937 Republicans broke out fighting amongst themselves in Barcelona (anti-Stalinist Marxists and Communists). The socialist government under leadership of Francisco Largo Caballero …show more content…
Generalissimo Franco, got rid of all the political parties and merged the originally opposing Carlist and Falangist groups, leading to a united front led by him. In contrast to the Republicans, who would be plagued by infighting for the duration of the war. By October 1937 Franco further enhanced his political power by combining the roles of legislative, judicial and executive branches of the government into him and his deputies, making him undisputed and in control. In contrast much was written at the time about the chaos in the Republic ‘The Daily Mail…was able to represent Franco as a patriot delivering his country from hordes of fiendish ‘Reds’ it should, however, be taken into account, that Lord Rothemere at the time owner of the Daily Mail, was a friend of Hitler and Mussolini’s. Therefore it is possible to assume that Rothemere would paint Franco in a good light. Regardless this demonstrates that the country was politically divided, and because of the increasing communist influence, Franco was seen, to many, as a loyal Spaniard who wanted to defend his country from the Communist sphere of influence. This representation of him helped unite