ABSTRACT
Shortly after the military rising divided Spain into two opposing camps, it became apparent that the pro-Republican zone was itself split into various geo-political blocs. In the beginning, Madrid became the centre of the Republicans’ struggle to keep the Nationalists from achieving an early victory. Then, following the Republican government’s removal to Valencia in early November, Madrid was placed under a siege that would last for over two years. No longer the capital, the city was governed by a multi-party executive body called the Madrid Defence Junta (Junta de Defensa de Madrid). From then until the last month of the conflict, Madrid ceased to be the geographical centre-point of the Civil War.
