The Spanish Civil war started in 1936 when a Popular Front Government won the elections on that year which benefited the fascists but not the anarchists nor the conservatives. So, a military-conservative group of people stood up against the Republic of Spain as a coup d'etat which failed at first. There were 2 groups fighting in this war: The Rebels (nationalists, supported by Italy and Germany) an the government (republicans, supported by the Soviet Union).
It was caused by multiple struggles that were forming the years previous to the war: Political differences between the fascists and the anarchists, assasintions, strikes, etc. Refugees and recruits flooded the streets. By July, 1936, multiple coordinated risings began all over the country, controlling a third of the country in less than a week. That's when the help from other countries starts to come in!
The Nationalists were leaded by General Francisco Franco. The Republicans were headed by the Socialist leader Francisco Largo Caballero and later, by Juan NegrÃn. Republicans fought with courage and dedication but at the end, they failed to attack cities and fight aggresively to raise their moral. By December, the cold weather and blizzards really affected the course of the war for the marching republicans (they decided to attack cities and fight aggresively), more and more corpses were left behind frozen, death, or captured.
Then, it was the Nationalist's turn and thanks to Germany's aerial aid, they marched and easily captured every city in Republican control.
By March, the Republicans were driven back to the few remaining territory at the northeast of Spain. At the end of the month all the Republican armies were surrendering to the Nationalists. The war was coming to an end as the Rebels marched victorious towards the capital. By 1939, the war ended and the Republicans failed to defend their ideals.
The deaths during this war are estimated to be around a million,with all the city bombing, inocent people dying, starvations, diseases, executions, etc.
This event was one of the struggles that caused the beginning of World War II. It's sometimes called "The Last Great Cause".
