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[[Image:Fin de la guerra.jpg|right|thumb|April 1, 1939, General Franco officially ended the war]]

[[Image:Fin de la guerra.jpg|right|thumb|April 1, 1939, General Franco officially ended the war]]

The '''Spanish Civil War''' was a conflict within [[Spain]], from 1936 to 1939, between the Republican forces, a [[left-wing]] coalition including [[Communists]], [[Socialists]] and  [[Anarchists]], and the Nationalist forces under [[Francisco Franco|General Francisco Franco]] comprising [[Monarchy|Monarchists]], traditionalists, [[fascism|Fascists]] and [[Roman Catholics|Catholics]] who opposed the Republicans.

The '''Spanish Civil War''' was a conflict within [[Spain]], from 1936 to 1939, between the Republican forces, a [[left-wing]] coalition including [[Communists]], [[Socialists]] and  [[Anarchists]], and the Nationalist forces under [[Francisco Franco|General Francisco Franco]] comprising Monarchists, traditionalists, [[fascism|Fascists]] and Catholics who opposed the Republicans.

The Nationalists were eventually victorious after a number of bloody battles and executed over a hundred thousand of their opponents shortly afterwards.

The Nationalists were eventually victorious after a number of bloody battles and executed over a hundred thousand of their opponents shortly afterwards.

The Republicans, no longer able to seek help from France or Britain, went to the [[Soviet Union]] for assistance.  The Soviet Union was wary of entering the war outright as it did not wish to come into conflict with the Axis powers.  The Soviet Union did sell weapons and foodstuff to the Republican government, but did so at the cost of most of Spain's gold reserves.  In addition, instead of providing troops from the Red Army (as Germany and Italy had done from their armies), the USSR sent orders to local Communist parties to organize groups of volunteers to go to fight with the Republicans in Spain, the [[International Brigades]].  Individuals from across Europe (including exiles from Germany and Italy) as well as North America joined, primarily due to an ideological opposition to fascism.  Many famous figures fought in the Brigades, including [[George Orwell]], and [[Laurie Lee]].  In addition to the Brigades, some Soviet military men did go to Spain.  These were, however, mostly pilots and tank drivers who accompanied these vehicles as the Republican army did not have men who were experienced with Soviet equipment.

The Republicans, no longer able to seek help from France or Britain, went to the [[Soviet Union]] for assistance.  The Soviet Union was wary of entering the war outright as it did not wish to come into conflict with the Axis powers.  The Soviet Union did sell weapons and foodstuff to the Republican government, but did so at the cost of most of Spain's gold reserves.  In addition, instead of providing troops from the Red Army (as Germany and Italy had done from their armies), the USSR sent orders to local Communist parties to organize groups of volunteers to go to fight with the Republicans in Spain, the [[International Brigades]].  Individuals from across Europe (including exiles from Germany and Italy) as well as North America joined, primarily due to an ideological opposition to fascism.  Many famous figures fought in the Brigades, including [[George Orwell]], and [[Laurie Lee]].  In addition to the Brigades, some Soviet military men did go to Spain.  These were, however, mostly pilots and tank drivers who accompanied these vehicles as the Republican army did not have men who were experienced with Soviet equipment.

Non-state "volunteers" from many nations, including North American (the so-called [[International Brigades]]), joined the fighting on both sides, including [[George Orwell]] and [[Laurie Lee]] and military contingents sent by [[Soviet Union]] fought with the Republicans, while [[Germany]] and [[Italy]] provided forces on the Nationalist side.

Non-state "volunteers" from many nations, including North American (the so-called [[International Brigades]]), joined the fighting on both sides, including Orwell and [[Laurie Lee]] and military contingents sent by Soviet Union fought with the Republicans, while Germany and Italy provided forces on the Nationalist side.

[[Category:Civil Wars]]

[[Category:Civil Wars]]

[[Category:Spanish History]]

[[Category:Spanish History]]