In Barcelona workers began to respond as members of the Confederación Nacional del Trabajo union seized 200 rifles from the holds of two ships docked in the harbour and distributed them to union activists. These events marked the beginning of the Spanish civil war. In the coming days,full-scale social revolution would break out which would set the Spanish working class, and volunteers from across the world, against the combined might of the bulk of the Spanish military backed up by Nazi Germany and fascist Italy.
via facebook-The International Brigades Remembered: On this day, 17 July 1936, a Spanish military uprising began in Morocco as right wing generals declared war on the new Republican government.
siehe auch: The Spanish civil war begins – archive, 1936. A military revolt led by General Francisco Franco against the republican government of Spain started on 17 July 1936. See how the Guardian and Observer reported events. New trouble in Spain? 18 July 1936. Reuter learns early this morning that, owing to what are believed to be “serious political reasons,” Spain is cut off from telephonic communications with the rest of the world. A cryptic message has been received in Paris from Spain stating that there have been incidents at Cuenca, the number of victims is not yet known.” Cuenca is the capital of the province of Cuenca, situated about ninety miles south-east of Madrid. Rebels seize a Spanish city. The Observer, 19 July 1936. Late last night it was learned that the revolt among Spanish troops in Spanish Morocco had spread to Seville, but, according to an official announcement by the Spanish Government, the military concerned were quickly overcome by government forces. Trouble has apparently broken out in other parts of Spain, and also in the Canary Islands. The contested legacy of the anti-fascist International Brigades. Reports from neighbouring places state that the troops in the Morocco revolt number about 20,000. They are apparently headed but the Spanish Foreign Legion, backed up by native troops and other units, and the movement is directed against the Popular Front (socialist) government. Spanish republic fighting: grave revolt 20 July 1936. A military, monarchist, and fascist revolt on a large scale began in Spanish Morocco during the night of Friday-Saturday, and in a number of towns in Spain itself, as well as in the Canaries and the Balearic Islands. News from Spain is heavily censored, but it is evident from the messages that were being allowed to come through last night that the threat to the Republic has been –and may still be – very grave. The left government still rules in Madrid – though in fifteen hours it was twice reconstructed, – and from the capital’s wireless station announced last night that it holds the upper hand both in Morocco and in Spain itself. Among the centres involved in Spain are Málaga, Seville, Barcelona, Bilbao, and Cádiz. A French air liner from north Africa which refuelled at Barcelona reported that the city had been bombed by aeroplanes. The Seville wireless station, which is in the hands of the rebels, and has been sending out rebel propaganda of varying degrees of credibility, broadcast yesterday a report that General Franco at the head of rebel troops had landed at Cádiz from Morocco and was to march on Madrid. The Government claims that the navy remains loyal and that a number of ships have been sent to Morocco to help in quelling the revolt, but a rebel destroyer yesterday bombarded the barracks at La Linea, near Gibraltar, where loyal troops had refused to follow fascist officers. In a statement broadcast yesterday the new Cabinet, headed by Senor Giral, declared that it would arm the Spanish people with the object of crushing the revolutionary movement. Arms have been issued to civilians in Madrid and other centres for the defence of the Republic. There has apparently been no serious trouble in Madrid itself. Editorial: revolt in Spain 20 July 1936 A serious revolt broke out among the armed forces in the Spanish zone of Morocco and in the Canary Islands on Friday, but it did not at first have any important repercussions on the mainland outside Seville. The revolt was presumably aimed at the overthrow of the left republican (but not socialist) government which took office after the general election in March and at the establishment of some kind of right-wing dictatorship in its place. The Spanish people seem to be singularly reluctant to accept the results of a democratic general election. Rebels aided by Italians and Germans: Berlin’s Mediterranean ambitions From our diplomatic correspondent 25 July 1936 A pessimistic view is taken here of events in Spain. There is no indication yet whether tho Government or the insurgents are likely to prevail. Everything points to a protracted and sanguinary civil war. The insurgents have the advantage of getting outside help whereas the government is getting none. The latter has applied to the French government for permission to import arms from France, but so far at least permission has not been given. The insurgent, on the other hand, are being assisted by the Italians and German.