Module 5 Final Project Milestone Three – Comparison of Narratives

The Spanish Civil War: Perspectives of A Divided Nation

Carlos Alvarez

HIS 220 – Modern European History: 1890 – Present

04/06/2025
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The Spanish Civil War: Perspectives of A Divided Nation (Comparison of Narratives)

Understanding the narratives of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) necessitates a critical

examination of how objective facts were interpreted and presented by the opposing sides, heavily

influenced by their distinct ideological underpinnings and strategic aims. The German

Nationalist narrative, as evidenced by Nazi propaganda efforts, portrayed the conflict as a

righteous crusade against communist subversion, aiming to restore traditional Spanish values and

national unity.1 Objective facts, such as the widespread social unrest and political polarization

preceding the war, were selectively highlighted to justify the Nationalist uprising, initiated by

figures like Franco, whose "Manifesto" framed the rebellion as a necessary intervention to save

Spain.2 Atrocities committed by the Nationalist forces, such as the bombing of Guernica, while

undeniably devastating,3 were downplayed or rationalized as unavoidable consequences of war in

this narrative. This perspective was inherently biased by the Nazi regime's fervent anti-

communism, its admiration for authoritarianism, and its strategic interest in having a sympathetic

regime in Spain, potentially for resource acquisition and as an ally in future conflicts. 4 Their

emphasis on national unity and traditional hierarchies stemmed from their own ideological

framework and a desire to create a strong, centralized state.

Conversely, the Soviet-Republican narrative viewed the war as a critical defense of

democratic principles against the rising tide of fascism.5 The objective fact of German support

for the Nationalists was presented as clear evidence of fascist aggression and international

1
Mercedes Penalba-Sotorrio “Cultural Intervention in Spanish Civil War: A Comparative
Analysis of Nazi and Fascist Propaganda (2023) 35
2
Francisco Franco “Manifesto” (1936)
3
Paul Preston “George Steer and Guernica” (2007) 14
4
Robert Paxton and Julie Hessler, Europe in The Twentieth Century (2011) 323
5
Stanley Payne “The Spanish Civil War, the Soviet Union, and Communism” (2008) 207-210
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complicity against the legitimate Republican government.6 The Republican defeat was framed as

a tragic loss for the international left, highlighting the perceived betrayal by Western democracies

who largely adhered to a policy of non-intervention.7 However, this narrative also exhibited

biases, including a strong anti-fascist stance and a pro-communist leaning, often emphasizing the

ideals of social revolution and international solidarity. The Soviet Union's involvement was

driven by its ideological commitment to communism and anti-fascism, as well as strategic

considerations to prevent a fascist victory and potentially expand its own influence. 8 Both sides,

therefore, selectively interpreted and presented objective realities to align with their ideological

frameworks and strategic goals, often engaging in propaganda and minimizing their own

wrongdoings.

The biases observed in both the German Nationalist and Soviet-Republican perspectives

were deeply rooted in their respective cultural norms, values, assumptions, and historical

experiences. Nazi Germany's historical context of post-World War I resentment, the rise of

extreme nationalism, and the ideology of racial purity contributed significantly to their anti-

communist and pro-authoritarian stance.9 Their history fostered a belief in strong leadership and

national unity achieved through often brutal means. Similarly, the Soviet Union's revolutionary

history, its commitment to Marxist-Leninist ideology, and its experience of fighting against

counter-revolutionary forces shaped its staunch anti-fascist stance and its emphasis on

international proletarian solidarity.10 These historical and cultural factors provided the

6
Helen Graham The Spanish Republic At War, 1936-1939 (2002)
7
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Spanish Civil War." (2025)
8
Stanley Payne “The Spanish Civil War, the Soviet Union, and Communism” (2008) 42-44
9
Robert Paxton and Julie Hessler, Europe in The Twentieth Century (2011) 319
10
Stanley Payne “The Spanish Civil War, the Soviet Union, and Communism” (2008) 46
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foundational assumptions and prejudices that colored their interpretation of the Spanish Civil

War.

To develop a more comprehensive and unbiased understanding of the Spanish Civil War,

several key areas require further investigation and analysis. A more in-depth examination of the

role and motivations of Western democracies' non-intervention policy is crucial to understanding

the broader international context.11 Furthermore, a more nuanced exploration of the internal

dynamics within the Republican side, particularly the complexities and tensions within the

anarchist movement as experienced by individuals like Orwell,12 is necessary to move beyond a

monolithic portrayal. A detailed analysis of the economic and social factors within Spain that

contributed to the outbreak of the war, beyond the simple ideological divide, would provide a

more grounded understanding of the conflict's origins. Crucially, gaining a more complete

understanding of the war from the perspective of the Spanish people themselves, including the

widespread suffering, displacement, and long-term social and psychological impacts, is essential

for a truly humanized and unbiased account. This would necessitate accessing a wider range of

personal accounts, local archives, and sociological studies. Examining the correlation between

violence and recruitment on both sides, can also offer valuable insights into the brutal realities of

the conflict and its impact on Spanish society.13 Access to more diverse primary sources,

including personal letters, diaries, local newspapers, and oral histories from individuals across

the Spanish social and political spectrum, would significantly contribute to a more balanced and

nuanced historical record.

Bibliography
11
Helen Graham The Spanish Republic At War, 1936-1939 (2002)
12
George Orwell “Homage to Catalonia” (1938)
13
Francisco Leira-Castiñeira and Lourenzo Prieto “Military mobilisation of the Nationalist coup
leaders during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939)” (2024)
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Franco, Francisco. "Manifesto." Broadcast, The Canary Islands, July 17, 1936.

Graham, Helen. The Spanish Republic at War, 1936-1939. Cambridge: Cambridge

University Press, 2002.

Leira-Castiñeira, Francisco J., and Lourenzo Fernández Prieto. “Military Mobilisation of

the Nationalist Coup Leaders during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939): The Correlation

between Killing and Recruitment.” War & Society 43, no. 2 (May 1, 2024): 163–86.

https://doi.org/10.1080/07292473.2024.2294653.

Orwell, George. Homage to Catalonia. London: Secker & Warburg, 1938.

Paxton, Robert O., and Julie Hessler. 2011. Europe in the Twentieth Century. Boston,

MA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning. https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781133171126.

319-324

Payne, Stanley G. The Spanish Civil War, the Soviet Union, and Communism. New

Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2008. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/heb32554.0001.001.

Penalba-Sotorrio, Mercedes. 2023. “Cultural Intervention in the Spanish Civil War: A

Comparative Analysis of Nazi and Fascist Propaganda.” JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY

HISTORY 58 (1): 26–49. doi:10.1177/00220094221074817.

Preston, Paul. 2007. “George Steer and Guernica.” History Today 57 (5): 12–19.

https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=475c44d2-ce71-3c12-a921-a35b2fe39280

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Spanish Civil War." Encyclopedia Britannica,

February 11, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/event/Spanish-Civil-War