Guerra Civil Info
- The Spanish Civil War of 1936-39 began when right-wing army officers led by General Francisco Franco rebelled against the elected republican government. Southern and northwest Spain soon fell to Franco's nacionalistas, but in cities such as Madrid, Bilbao and Barcelona resistance was fierce. Franco's revolt was aided by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, while Britain and France declared a policy of non-intervention and blockaded Spanish ports. The Soviet Union aided the Republican government and volunteers from around the world joined the Brigadas Internacionales to fight against fascism. Resistance collapsed in the spring of 1939 and Franco established a dictatorship which ended with his death in 1975. A period of great economic hardship followed the end of the war and the persecution of Republicans continued for several years after the end of hostilities.