Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Spain at the outbreak of war July–August 1936: Nationalist and Republican…
Full specification wording
The Spanish Civil War, 1936–39: Spain at the outbreak of war July–August 1936: Nationalist and Republican leadership, support and relative military strength; the geographical division of the country; the significance of the international response; the situation by the end of August.
The July 1936 coup split Spain.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The July 1936 coup split Spain. Nationalists held the rural north-west, south and Morocco, supported by conservative Catholics and Carlists, led by the Junta de Defensa Nacional. Republicans kept Madrid and industrial regions, supported by workers and socialists, lacking a single leader. Militarily, Nationalists had trained regulars and German/Italian airlift support; Republicans had more men but fewer weapons and no unified staff. Geographically, Nationalists held grain; Republicans held industry and gold. Internationally, French hesitation, British non-intervention and German/Italian aid to Nationalists shaped the early war. By late August 1936, Nationalists advanced on Madrid while the Republic reorganised.
What earns the marks
- Explains Nationalist leadership and support: divided command under the Junta de Defensa Nacional, backed by conservative Catholics, landowners, Carlists and the Falange.
- Explains Republican leadership and support: fragmented government backed by workers, trade unions (UGT/CNT), socialists, communists and regionalists.
- Compares military strength: Army of Africa and airlift versus Republican numbers but shortages of weapons and training.
- Analyses geographical division: Nationalist agrarian north-west and south against Republican industrial Catalonia, Madrid and the Basque north.
- Assesses international response: French hesitation, British non-intervention stance, and crucial German and Italian airlift intervention.
- Judges the position by end of August: Nationalist advance from Seville towards Madrid, Republican resistance and reorganisation.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating the coup as instantly successful or instantly defeated.
Put it right by explaining it produced a divided Spain and a prolonged war.
Assuming the Republic had superior armed forces because it held more people.
Put it right by noting shortages of rifles, officers and unified command.
Including Soviet military aid in the July-August 1936 timeframe.
Put it right by noting Soviet supplies did not arrive until October 1936, whereas German and Italian aid began in July.
Claiming Franco had unified command in July 1936.
Put it right by noting the Junta de Defensa Nacional led the Nationalists until late September.
Exam tips
- Anchor answers on the named categories: leadership, support, military strength, geography, international response and the August position.
- Use precise dates and places, such as the Morocco airlift in July 1936 and the advance towards Madrid in August.
Try the lesson
The start of the The Spanish Civil War, 1936–39: Spain at the outbreak of war July–August 1936: Nationalist and Republican leadership, support and relative military strength; the geographical division of the country; the significance of the international response; the situation by the end of August. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which city was the main base of the Republican government at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in July 1936?
Listen
The July 1936 coup split Spain. Nationalists held the rural north-west, south and Morocco, supported by conservative Catholics and Carlists, led by the Junta de Defensa Nacional. Republicans kept Madrid and industrial regions, supported by workers and socialists, lacking a single leader. Militarily, Nationalists had trained regulars and German/Italian airlift support; Republicans had more men but fewer weapons and no unified staff. Geographically, Nationalists held grain; Republicans held industry and gold. Internationally, French hesitation, British non-intervention and German/Italian aid to Nationalists shaped the early war. By late August 1936, Nationalists advanced on Madrid while the Republic reorganised. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains Nationalist leadership and support: divided command under the Junta de Defensa Nacional, backed by conservative Catholics, landowners, Carlists and the Falange. Explains Republican leadership and support: fragmented government backed by workers, trade unions (UGT/CNT), socialists, communists and regionalists. Compares military strength: Army of Africa and airlift versus Republican numbers but shortages of weapons and training. Analyses geographical division: Nationalist agrarian north-west and south against Republican industrial Catalonia, Madrid and the Basque north. A common slip: Treating the coup as instantly successful or instantly defeated. Instead, explaining it produced a divided Spain and a prolonged war. Exam tip: Anchor answers on the named categories: leadership, support, military strength, geography, international response and the August position.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Civil-military conflict
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Foreign intervention and non-intervention
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Political fragmentation
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Geography and resources of war
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See every definition
- Civil-military conflict
- The coup produced a divided Spain, with Nationalist command under the Junta de Defensa Nacional and a fragmented Republican government lacking a single leader.
- Foreign intervention and non-intervention
- French hesitation, a British non-intervention stance and German and Italian airlift support to the Nationalists shaped the early war.
- Political fragmentation
- Republicans were backed by workers, trade unions, socialists, communists and regionalists but lacked a single leader and unified staff.
- Geography and resources of war
- Nationalists held the rural north-west, south and Morocco with grain, while Republicans kept Madrid and industrial regions with industry and gold.
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