“Franco won the Spanish Civil War because of Republican disunity.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that Franco won the Spanish Civil War because of Republican disunity. Candidates may refer to the lack of continuity in leadership because of tensions within the Popular Front. Giral, Caballero and Negrin were all prime minister for a short period. Divisions within the Republican side also undermined their military efforts (May Days, Barcelona). Other relevant factors may be addressed, for example that foreign intervention supporting Franco was a key factor. He had military support from Hitler and Mussolini and arguably the Non-Intervention Pact disadvantaged the Republicans as France and Britain upheld it. The limited military aid the Republic had, ended with the withdrawal of the International Brigades in 1938. Candidates may argue that Franco’s effective leadership was the main reason for victory. By April 1937, he had unified all right-wing parties into the FET y de las JONS and had the loyalty of his troops and the support of the Church. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that Franco won the Spanish Civil War because of Republican disunity. This was a relatively popular question. There were some very good responses with clear arguments about the importance of foreign aid to the Nationalists and other advantages the Nationalists possessed. However, some candidates needed more knowledge about Republican disunity to answer the question more successfully.