The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and the Abraham Lincoln Brigade

Like so many European nations, Spain began vigorous attempts to modernize and democratize its governmental institutions beginning in the nineteenth century. Still, the course of these changes was never smooth, with the result that Spain was suffering great political instability in the early part of the twentieth century. Conservative, even dictatorial, elements vied with democratic-socialist elements, with no side ever gaining a firm purchase. On the eve of the civil war, a progressive democratic government was in place, but contesting its legitimacy was a coalition of conservative groups, which included fascist elements, the Catholic Church, the army, and other groups. The Civil War officially began with an uprising in Morocco of army forces under the leadership of General Francisco Franco, a fascist sympathizer who would go on to receive aid from other fascist European leaders, Germany's Adolf Hitler...