ABSTRACT
A generalized civil war was not the intention of the military rebels in July 1936. Their goal was rather to capture power using great violence; but this was to be done in a sudden way, with the military authorities in complete control of the coup. Civilian support had been negotiated in order to make this task easier; however, it was clear to all that Carlists and the Falange would act in support of the military, adding to the impression of an irresistible force taking control of the country. The coup failed and the rebel officers were left in a difficult position. Compromise was impossible and a war had to be fought against a more numerous enemy which controlled two-thirds of the population, the country’s main cities and its principal industrial areas, and which, forming as it did the internationally recognized government of Spain, should, in theory, find it easier to obtain whatever raw materials, weapons or ammunition might be needed in order to win the war. In this chapter we will examine how this situation was overcome by the military rebels and, conversely, how the Republic saw all of its trump cards bested.
