La Guerra Civil
Background:
19th Century = Monarchy
1873-1874 = First Spanish Republic
1874 – 1923 = Monarchy
1923 – 1931 = Dictatorship (Rivera)
1931 … = Second Spanish Republic
New constitution written
Passed controversial / progressive reforms
Gave poor peasants land, freedoms
Gave woman the right to vote
Limited the role/power of Catholic Church
(*Seperation of Church and State)
A Divided Spain:
Many Spaniards felt like the newly
formed Republic was threatening
traditional Spanish values and began
to revolt against the Republic.
The nation became more and more
divided
Spanish Civil War: 1936-1939
1936 = The Spanish Civil War Begins
Nationalist vs. Republicans
Nacionalistas / Frente Nacional
Supporters of Franco
Believed in keeping Spain “pure”
Wanted to uphold “traditional” values (of the Monarchy)
Rule Spain with order and authority
Wanted a “united” nation with common beliefs
Enforced/demanded conformity
Little or no freedom
Government control
Military patrolled towns to keep order
Differing beliefs = punishment or death
Woman = “traditional roles”
Men = more powerful, superior
Catholicism = One Spain, One religion
Franco = Supreme ruler (basically a dictator)
Republicanos / Frente Popular
Wide array of people/political beliefs
Supporters of a “Republic”
Basically, anybody who didn’t support Nationalism
(Communists, etc.)
Believed in more freedom/rights/liberty
Wanted a more democratic/progressive country
Wanted to move beyond traditional “monarchy”
rule
Franco
1939 = Franco and the “Nationalists” win
Franco declared Spain a “Monarchy” but did not
set up a Monarch (no King, etc.)
Instead, Franco appointed himself as “comander”
He wanted a united Spain / Conformity
Authoritarian rule with traditional values
Catholicisim, Flamenco, Bullfighting…
Suppressed non-Spanish traditions/values
Many artists / teachers / etc. Left Spain to
escape Franco’s dictatorship.
Franco made sure that citizens were
obedient/conformed through “any means
necessary” …
If you did not follow his laws, you would be
imprisoned or even killed
An estimated 50, 000 people killed
Franco dies in 1975 = King is appointed =
Present Day = Democracy / Constitutional Monarchy
Many people in Spain still hold strong
views/opinions of the dictatorship
Most consider the dictatorship a dark
part of their history and are embarrassed
by it
Others support what Franco did = they
think he “saved” Spain
La Lengua de las Mariposas:
Look for:
◦ Symbolism between good and evil
◦ Freedom vs. Control
◦ Future of Spain and which direction the
country will go