Spanish Civil War

ISL IBDP HISTORY

THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR

Analyse the causes and results of one of the following: Chinese Civil War (1945–1949); Mexican Revolution (1910–1940); Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). political, ideological, economic and social, religious, outside interference.

Results might include the winner, the regime that followed, the state of the country at the end of the conflict, the position of the losers and any wider issues, e.g. for the region or the world.

CAUSES NOV 2002 Compare and contrast the causes of the Russian Civil War and the Spanish Civil War.

The Russian Civil War began at the end of 1917 with the first organized resistance of the counter-revolutionary armies against the newly formed Bolshevik government. The Spanish Civil War began with a revolt of army officers in Morocco against the Popular Front Republican Government. Thus both began as revolts against the government in power, both were against left wing/socialist governments and both occurred after periods of political unrest and uncertainty.

Both also had much input from outside powers. In contrast the powers supporting the rebel Whites in the Russian Civil War were “Imperialists”, whilst socialists supported the Republicans and Fascists supported the insurgents, in the Spanish war. The Spanish split was caused more by religion and economic causes than the Russian one.

4. Analyse the causes of either the Spanish Civil War or the Korean War.

The Spanish Civil War (1936-9) was caused by various political, social, economic and religious problems: the failure of the monarchy, and of Republican attempts to govern; separatism and the wish of various parts (Catalonia and the Basque Districts) for greater autonomy; antagonism between left and right; the gap between the aristocracy and the peasants; lack of economic development and modernisation; the Catholic Church which was powerful, but resented and regarded as backward by many.

Give details and examples of the above then analyse them. 2

Do not forget the actual outbreak, with the rising of the Spanish army in Morocco under Franco, which spread to the mainland, under Mola.

Compare and contrast the reasons for, and impact of, foreign involvement in two of the following: Russian Civil War; Spanish Civil War; Chinese Civil War.

Each of these wars offers you the opportunity to identify motives for, as well as the nature and extent of outside intervention in civil wars and to assess the extent of such involvement in deciding the outcome.

In other words, whether the war was won or lost due to the level of support provided for one side as opposed to the lack of support (financial/military) provided to the other . or whether other factors may be considered as being instrumental in achieving victory . for example, internal unity of one side, superior military forces, economic advantages, strategic/geographical advantages.

REASONS/MOTIVES

Reasons for foreign involvement.: areas for comparisons/contrasts could include, depending on the wars chosen: ideology (i.e. providing support for rival domestic factions); economic benefits to be gained in event of victory of one particular side; geopolitical/strategic benefits for the future. . IMPACT

Impact of foreign involvement. could include consideration of: extent of damage caused; effect on the duration of the conflict; economic costs as a result of foreign involvement; significance of contribution of outside aid to eventual victory/defeat of one side. FOREIGN INTERVENTION NOV 2004 Why did foreign intervention occur so frequently in civil wars of the twentieth century and what impact did this intervention have on two civil wars each chosen from a different region?

The form of the question may help candidates structure a response, requiring them to address the question of examining the motives (e.g. economic, ideological/proxy/surrogate, strategic 3 gain, religious, military) of outside powers in such conflicts, and how such intervention affected for example the nature (type of weapons, the strategy, duration, levels of physical and human destruction) and outcome (e.g. did such intervention prove decisive in producing victory, and if so for whom and why?) of the war.

The most popular examples are likely to be the Russian Civil War, the Chinese Civil War, the Spanish Civil War. Vietnam and Korea may appear though the civil war element should be made clear from the outset. Greece, Pakistan, Biafra may also appear. Depending on the wars selected, the emphases as to motives will vary – as is the case with impact. What is important is the coverage of the different elements or components in a balanced manner.

FOREIGN INTERVETNION

In what ways and for what reasons did foreign intervention play an important role in two civil wars, each chosen from a different region?

‘In what ways’ suggests specific actions of the foreign powers intervening, and ‘for what reasons’ implies why they supported their chosen side, for gain, defence etc. and especially how this support was important in determining the outcome of the civil war.

MAY 2005

Examine the impact of foreign intervention on either the Chinese Civil War or the Spanish Civil War.

Foreign intervention could be concerned with causes, course and results of the chosen civil war. As no dates are given, candidates can either use the long term civil war in China, or concentrate on the period 1946 to 1949. Mao and the CCP received some assistance from communist supporters, but their main strength was their own people, whereas the Kuomintang or KMT/GMD was aided by the USA (which had tried to mediate between the two sides), and lost support because of this foreign element.

Both sides in the Spanish Civil War received foreign help, but the German and Italian support for Franco and the Nationalists was more useful than the communist, socialist, anarchist etc. support given to the Republicans.

MAY 2005

Assess the social and economic causes of one twentieth century war.

This will probably not be a popular question, but candidates could use either of the world wars, assessing the social implications of German (especially Nazi) social policies, such as Hitler’s wish for “living space” and anti-semitic policies. Economic factors were present in causes of the First World War, with rivalry over colonies and financial implications of the arms’ race. Appeasement before the Second World War was also the product to some extent of economic recession which prohibited rearming in Britain and France - and the Great Depression was a factor in the success of Hitler in obtaining power.

NOV 2003 4

Compare and contrast the causes of two wars (excluding the First World War) each chosen from a different region.

This is a comparative question requiring candidates to consider the similarities and differences of the causes of two wars. As the First World War is the subject of the previous question it has been excluded. Candidates may well choose the Second World War together with perhaps the Vietnam or Korean War, but of course allow any non European War, and as the Second World War developed outside Europe, candidates could elect to answer both parts on it, the European aspect, and the war in the Pacific.

Causes should include long term and immediate.

OUTCOME

NOV 2003 Analyse the reasons for the outcome of one civil war. How did the outcome affect the country in which the war was fought?

It is hoped that the first part will explain why the winner was successful by analyzing areas such as support, both internal in terms of personnel and resources, and external, in terms of leadership, and overall aims as well as tactics, rather than just include a chronological account of the war. The second part should explain and assess how the country was governed, its economic and social position, its foreign policy etc. by the victorious side. Civil wars in China, Cuba, Korea, Russia, Spain and Vietnam would be suitable choices.

NOV 2001 For what reasons, and with what results, was there a civil war either in China between 1946 and 1949, or in Spain between 1936 and 1939?

Which ever country is chosen candidates need to explain the causes and results but they do not need to recount the course of the war. For China the long term situation with the 1911 Revolution which overthrew the Manchu dynasty, continuing unrest, warlordism, Chiang-Kai-shek, Mao Tse-tung and the rise of the Communist party could all be made relevant. The result was the success of Mao and a one party Communist state. For Spain candidates could analyse the political, social, economic and religious problems in a divided and polarised state in the early twentieth century with the immediate cause, the military revolt of army commanders in mainland Spain and Spanish Morocco.

Results were Franco.s victory and dictatorship, but democratic constitutional monarchy at Franco.s death.