THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR

REVISITING SPAIN's BLOODIEST WAR

Spellbound! Yes, that was my reaction after watching Granada Television Production's six part documentary - The Spanish Civil War. There are some things that never age with time. And in my opinion, this series is definitely one of them. Released way back in 1983, the documentary continues to be as enchanting and as relevant today, as it was back then. 

To begin with, lets see the factors that work in its favor. Firstly, since the documentary was created when the generation that fought in the war was still around, the series provides personal accounts of several individuals who took an active part in the war. In general, the civil war was an important battleground of ideologies, with many sections fighting on the same side, having different agendas while sticking to one overall cause. As such, the accounts of people including those close to Franco, the military rebels, the Falangist (Fascists), the Communists, the Socialists, the Anarchists in Catalonia, the Basque regionalists, people who served in various Republican regimes between 1936-39 and so on, gives the viewer a holistic perspective of the conflict. Additionally, we also get the viewpoint of the various non-native fighters who descended onto Spain to fight either for the cause of democracy or joined the rebel legions. Secondly, the documentary also has tonnes of black and white footage of Spain during those three years of turbulence. The scenes from the war for Madrid, which was lasted for over two years and the tales of brutality on either side of the divide are quite moving. Lastly, the tune which is played in the beginning of the each episode is classy and has a nice feel about it. On the other hand, with a total running time of over 5 hours, the series is too long. Moreover, the kind of information that the documentary provides can be exhaustive for many of us. However, for those who love world history and have time to spare, the Spanish Civil War is certainly one series that they should not miss.

Fought between 1936 to 1939, the civil war in Spain is one of the bloodiest conflicts of the 20^th century. In fact, with five million casualties, it was in many ways a precursor to the Second World War. The roots of the war lies in the many failures of the short-lived Spanish Republic that was established in Milan following the abdication of the throne by the King Alfonso XIII in 1931 after widespread unrest. Five years down the line, a group of military generals planned a coup d'etat to overthrow the democratically elected government which they perceived as harmful to the interests of the nation and its people. As the army raised the banner of rebellion and marched on to Madrid, various parties in the political sphere including the Liberals, Worker's Union, the Socialists, the Communists, the Anarchist and other groups joined hands to fight the rebellion together. Under the leadership of General Francisco Franco, the army reached the gates of the capital and the war for the country's biggest city went on for two years. One of the most interesting aspects of the entire war was that as many as 40,000 foreign fighters came in Spain to fight on either side. Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy openly aided Franco and his army with man power and material. The Soviets backed the republicans early in the war and then abandoned them once it became clear that France and UK would not intervene. At the end, Franco's leadership, foreign aid and the differences between the various factions that made up the democratic side led to a Nationalist (Rebel) victory. Franco would go on to become the dictator of Spain and ruled the Western European country for the next four decades.

Narrated by Frank Finlay and directed by David Hart, the entire series is divided into 6 episodes, each consisting of two parts. The six parts are as follows:

(1) Prelude to War: With the republican government failing to meet the expectations of the people, the army rises in rebellion as the African legions under General Francisco Franco reach the mainland to take over the reins of the government. As their plans of a quick victory fail, the government and the factions that supported it rally together and ready themselves to defend the nascent democracy in Spain.

(2) Revolution - Counter Revolution: General Franco captures Seville in the south while General Mola is closing in on Madrid from the north. The Anarchists in Barcelona attack the military garrison and join the counter-revolution against the army. Meanwhile, the Nationalists are on the gates of Madrid after winning some quick yet decisive victories.

(3) Battlefield for Idealists: My favorite episode, it recounts how the various European nations saw the conflict and which side they supported and how. Hitler and Mussolini firmly put their support behind the Nationalist whereas nations like England and France who would enter the World War II as upholders of democracy, almost turn a blind eye and refuse to bail out the republicans. Stalin provides some aid to them but that is discontinued in the later months of the war.

(4) Franco and the Nationalists: This episode is more like a biopic on General Franco, his rise in the army at an early age and his decision to join the Nationalist cause. Unlike the republicans, he succeeds in bringing the different sections fighting against the republicans together and becomes their supreme leader in October 1936. He appeases the Church and also wins the support of the rich landlords.

(5) Inside the Revolution: Here, we are introduced to the Anarchist ideology which was prevalent in Barcelona during those times. Having joined the fight against the Nationalists, the anarchists who wanted autonomy for the Catalonia region set up a regime that pays no allegiance to either the nation or the church. However, with the army closing in, infighting breaks out between them and the communists. Meanwhile, a spate of wins for the army splits the republican territories into two.

(6) Victory and Defeat: As the republicans fail to win a clear victory at the Battle of Ebro, their morale is broken. The Nationalists capture Barcelona. In Madrid, there is a coup on the republican side as colonel Casado deposes PM Negrin. Casado's attempts for a negotiation fail and Franco's troops entered the capital. As people rejoice, the bloody civil war comes to an end.

SIMON BOLIVAR

The PANTHEON

CHAMPIONS OF FREEDOM

Apart from being one of the most bio-diverse continents on Earth, South America, with its vast stretches of untapped natural resources and hard working people is nicely poised to play a crucial role on the world stage. Although agrarian communities have flourished here since 2000 BC, the region came into limelight in the end of the 15th century when the conquistadors, backed by Iberian courts arrived on its shores. For the next three centuries, the natives, their cultures, religions and customs as well as the resources of the continent were exploited in a bid to fulfill the expansionist policies of their colonial masters, namely Spain and Portugal. However, by early 19th century, young South Americans, the descendants of European settlers, inspired by the success of revolutions in America and Haiti and disgruntled with the policies of their overlords began several armed campaigns aimed to achieve freedom for their people. Perhaps, the most illustrious amongst these ‘Independence Heroes’ or ‘Liberators’ as they are fondly called in this part of the world is Simon Bolivar.

Simon Bolivar, the champion of South American freedom struggle was born on 24th July, 1783 to Don Marie and Juan Vincente Bolivar in the erstwhile Spanish captaincy of Caracas. The circumstances prevalent in the Bolivar household forced them to entrust young Simon to the love and care of Dona Ines Manceba de Miyares and family’s slave, Ja negra Hipolita. Although he would return to his parents a couple of years later, this traumatic experience would have a severe impact on his life. In fact, his ordeal had just begun. He lost his father at the age of three and his mother died six years later.

Simon was fortunate enough to receive private lessons from renowned professors, the most influential being Dom Simon Rodriguez, who later became his friend and mentor. Besides teaching politics, history and sociology, he also taught Simon crucial skills like horse riding, rock climbing, swimming and more importantly, instilled in him the ideas of freedom, liberty and enlightenment. In the meantime his nanny, Hipolita gave the young Bolivar all the affection he needed and indulged him in all his wishes and desires. Simon developed a fervent passion for armaments and wartime strategy at the military academy of Millicias de Veraguas and the lessons he picked up here would come in handy during the wars of independence that he would fight in the later years. After having witnessed the spectacular coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte in Notre Dame, Bolivar resolved to emulate this triumphant glory for the people of his native land.

After his return to his homeland, Venezuela, in 1807, Bolivar began his military conquests against the Spaniards. It was during this period that he penned down his famous book, Cartagena Manifesto – an analysis of the causes that led to the collapse of the First Republic of Venezuela. In 1813, he joined the army of New Granada, a short lived federal republic established in 1811, only to be retaken by the Spanish army in 1816. From New Granada, Bolivar began his famous ‘Admirable Campaign’ in which the Independentists led by him captured the Spanish provinces of Merida, Barinas, Trujillo and Caracas in conjunction with Santiago Marino’s simultaneous success in the East. It was ad mists this campaign that Bolivar issued his controversial ‘Decree of War to the Death’ which permitted atrocities against people born in Spain except those who actively supported South American independence. This was an attempt to maintain Venezuelan independence and in retaliation to a similar strategy adopted by the Spanish against the natives.

Inspite of his efforts, the Second Republic fell, primarily due to the rebellion of Jose Tomas Boves and Bolivar returned to New Granada and entered the military services of United Provinces. He led an army that captured Bogota from the Republicans in 1814. He intended to march into Cartagena but after a series of political and military differences with the Government of Cartagena, he fled to Jamaica in 1815, where he was denied support and an attempt was made on his life. Next, he went to the newly independent nation of Haiti, where he was granted protection and sanctuary. He befriended Haitian leader, Alexandre Petion who offered Bolivar material and infantry support against the Spanish in return of a promise that he would abolish slavery once he came to power and Simon obliged.

Simon embarked upon his struggle for independence with a renewed vigour. The campaign for the independence of New Granada was sealed at the battle of Boyacá (1819) where the Independentists decisively defeated the Royalists. The Venezuelan independence was consolidated after Bolivar’s men crushed the Spaniards at Carabobo (1821). The victory of his confidant, Antonio Jose de Sucre in the Battle of Pichincha (1822) led to the solid foundation of the independence of Ecuador.

On 7th September, Gran Columbia, a state covering much of modern day Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador and Panama, was created with Simon Bolivar as its President. In July 1822, he met another famous Liberator of South America, Jose de San Martin of Argentina who besides his country had also partially liberated Peru. In February 1824, Bolivar was made the dictator of Peruvian Congress and he routed the Spanish cavalry at the Battle of Junín. The remaining Spanish troops in Peru were expelled by general Sucre at Ayacucho. On 6th August, 1825, at the Congress of Upper Peru, a new country was created and was christened as the Republic of Bolivia, in the honour of Simon Bolivar.

Bolivar’s dream had been to engender an American Revolution style federation between all the newly independent republics, with a government set up to recognize and uphold the rights of the individual. This dream, however succumbed to the pressures of particular interest across the region, which rejected such a model. For this reason and to prevent a breakup, Bolivar wanted to implement a more centralist model of government in Gran Columbia, including some elements of the Bolivian constitution like lifetime presidency with the ability to select a successor. This move was vehemently opposed by many delegates at the Convention of Ocana. After the failure of the Ocana Congress to write a new constitution, Bolivar proclaimed himself as the military dictator on 27th August, 1828. He considered this as a temporary measure, as a means to re-establish his authority and save the republic. On the contrary, this increased the dissatisfaction among his detractors. He survived an assassination attempt in September, 1828 with the help of his lover, Manuela Saenz, according to popular belief. Dissent continued and uprisings occurred in New Granada, Venezuela and Ecuador in the next two years.

Finally, Bolivar resigned from presidency on 27th April, 1830 intending to leave the country for an exile in Europe. On 17th December, 1830 he died after a painful battle with tuberculosis. His remains, which were earlier buried in the Cathedral of Santa Marta, were later moved to Caracas where a monument was set up for their interment in the National Pantheon of Venezuela.

Bolivar described himself as a ‘liberal’ who believed in a ‘free market’ and was an admirer of both the American and French revolutions. He was staunchly anti-slavery, a military genius and a man far ahead of his times. His repeated success against the mighty Spanish army during the 1820s reduced the once powerful Spanish empire to a miniscule kingdom in Western Europe. However the path to freedom was far from a cakewalk as the Spaniards managed to regain lost territories on several occasions. However, Bolivar didn’t lose hope and finally won freedom for his people.

Bolivar is often compared to another great American freedom hero, George Washington. Both were descendents of European settlers, owned large estates, had to face many initial setbacks during the Wars of independence and ended up serving as the Presidents of the nations that they had founded. However, inspite of the long list of similarities in their carriers, these two of the greatest leaders of modern times primarily differ on two major issues. While Simon Bolivar abolished slavery on coming to power, owing to his anti-slavery ideals and as a fulfillment of promise made to the Haitian leader Petion, bonded labour was wiped off from the United States during the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln in the mid-nineteenth century. Besides, Washington is known to have kept slaves throughout his life, including during his stay in the White House. Secondly, George Washington was able to hold the various American colonies as a single federal republic, probably an important factor in the emergence of the US as a global superpower. However, Simon’s goal of establishing such a state in the Southern part of the American landmass went to the grave with him.

Simon Bolivar is regarded in Latin America as a hero, visionary, revolutionary and liberator (El Liberator). During his relatively short life, he led five modern nations – Venezuela, Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador and Peru to independence and laid the foundation of South American ideology on democracy. Because the image of Bolivar became central to the national identities in these countries, his mantle is claimed by nearly all political parties from all parts of the political spectrum. Infact Bolivar is the only person in the history of mankind to have two countries – Bolivia and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) to have been named after him.

SOURCES : www.wikipedia.org