Countdown to Civil War

The Spanish navy was badly defeated by the US navy in a war involving the last important imperial colonies: Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. The humiliating defeat, known as el Desastre, revealed the economic, social, and military weakness of the country.

A week of violence took place in Barcelona — the Semana Trágica (Tragic Week). Socialists and Republicans called a strike to protest the massacre of Spanish soldiers in Morocco. The strike turned violent and some churches and convents were set on fire. Harshly dealt with by the army and government.

In a massive massacre in Morocco, 4,000 Rif native rebels killed 15,000 Spanish soldiers in the battle of Annual.

General Miguel Primo de Rivera staged a coup, with the king's blessing, installing a 'soft' dictatorship. The rebellions in Morocco were cruelly suppressed, with mustard gas used against the rebels. These wars were the training ground for officers including future dictator Francisco Franco.

Republican parties won in most big cities in local elections. The king fled the country and the Second Republic was declared on April 14. The Republic raised hopes for modernity and social justice — but was interpreted as a threat by industrialists, landowners, the Church, and high-ranking military officers.

The Frente Popular (Popular Front) won the election — a more radical left-wing coalition, supported by the Anarchist union CNT. The right found it impossible to tolerate new left-wing policies. On July 17, the Spanish Army of Africa arose in Morocco. The country split in two: Republican and Nationalist. The Spanish Civil War began.