The Spanish Civil War

Ernst Hemingway’s celebrated novel, For Whom the Bell Tolls, take s place in the midst of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). We follow a foreigner on a mission to blow up bridges and it seems the war is simply an opportunity to work. The war, however, is so much more than a way to make a living for everyone else and the Spaniards suffered from a war influenced by political discord.

The war was fought between the political left wing, the Republicans, and the political right wing, the Nationalists.  It all started when the Nationalist leader, General Francisco Franco, initiated a coup against the sitting government. He managed to capture parts of Spain but big cities like Madrid and Barcelona remained under government control. The country was politically divided and the army, church and the monarchists rallied around Franco, who also received help from Nazi Germany while liberals, communists and socialists supported the government.

The war is considered very gruesome and half a million civilians lost their lives during those three bloody years. What started as a military coup to seize control over Spain soon became a trial of strength between right and left wing forces and it almost foretells what history has to offer the following decade. In 1939 Franco led troops won and several Republicans were persecuted by the Nationalists. Many fled to refugee camps in southern France. After the victory Franco established a fascist dictatorship which lasted for the next 36 years. What starts off with a “simple” mission leads to a tale of love and sense of duty and is inspired by Hemingway’s own experiences in the Civil War.

/Fredrik Arve