WI The spanish civil war ends in 1937

As we know during the spanish civil warr Franco tried to take Madrid in november of 1936, but after capturing part of the city the attack bogged down, and so the war continued until 1939

But what if he commited more reserves to it or the Republicans did some stupid move that allowed Madrid to be captured still in 1936, and the war ended in early 1937, how would this change the situation of spain? The first thing that comes in my head is that it wouldn't take so much time to rebuild it
 

ben0628

Banned
Spain isn't something I know much about but I'd assume have more time after the war to rebuild and consolidate power makes Franco more willing to join the Axis during WW2, idk if two years is enough to make a difference though.
 
As we know during the spanish civil warr Franco tried to take Madrid in november of 1936, but after capturing part of the city the attack bogged down, and so the war continued until 1939

But what if he commited more reserves to it or the Republicans did some stupid move that allowed Madrid to be captured still in 1936, and the war ended in early 1937, how would this change the situation of spain? The first thing that comes in my head is that it wouldn't take so much time to rebuild it

In fact, Republicans were very lucky in the defense of Madrid because a car Italian tank that was lost in the Casa de Campo was put out of action and Republican troops, inspecting it, they found a copy of the plan general of the Nationalists for conquer Madrid. Then the General Miaja and then Lieutenant Colonel Rojo reorganized Republican defense plans after that stroke of luck (Republicans also were lucky when, at the time it seemed that the Nationalists had succeeded in breaking the front in Madrid's University City, General Miaja visited the area and prepared to fight personally there, haranguing the soldiers to die with him to defend Madrid -after taking his gun, he said them "Cowards, go back to your trenches. Die with your general!"-, which raised the morale of his soldiers and preventing the Nationalist entry.

If it had not happened, it is very likely that Madrid was conquered by the Nationalists. However, the Republican government had already fled to Valencia, and had ordered the defenders of Madrid that if the capital were indefensible, Republican forces should withdraw to Cuenca to establish a defensive line in place as directed by the Chief of the Army General of the Centre.

That is, the Nationalist capture of Madrid would not have meaning the end of the SCW, but probably shorten significantly it (probably would have ended before it began the year 1938), may occur the lifting of the Republican siege to the Nationalists refugees at the Shrine of Our Lady of Cabeza in Andujar (Jaen province) -the besieged endured since the September 14, 1936 until May 1, 1937, when the leader the besieged. the Civil Guard Captain Santiago Cortes, was badly wounded and the few beleaguered surrender to the Republicans-, becoming a stronger propaganda coup that liberation of the Alcazar of Toledo -which lasted from July 21 until September 27-.
 
Eaerlier victor in the war doesn't necessarily make Spain stronger. There was a lot of resistance against Franco's regime, continuing untill the 50's. Its this that crippled Spain, not the war itself. So, you'd still have a pretty useless Spain that is not going to join any wars.

Franco wanted more than Hitler offered him anyway, Hitler offered only Gibraltar but Franco wanted a lot of French Africa possessions. Franco didn't join the axis because of this mostly. Earlier victory and stronger Spain wouldn't change that. Hitler put more value in needing Vichy France than Spain, so Vichy France was allowed to keep their territories.

Wilhelm Canaris, the leader of the Abwehr and spy against hitler's regime had multiple meeting with Franco, putting him up against Hitler instead of making a decent ally. This worked.
 
There was no chance for Franco to take Madrid in 1936 even if the Republicans had not knew his intentions. To begin with, he lacked the men to do the job, and he hardly could muster some reserves as the Nationalist army was quite thin spread in 1936. For that reason the advance towards Madrid was done in the column-fashion way it was.

Even he had managed to surprise the defenders, it meant little, as any advance further into the city would play to the defender's side, not to the rebels. He could not take the Puente de los Franceses, and the small salient created in the Ciudad Universitaria was vulnerable in his flanks. He had not the means to completely surround the city, and he couldn't do that not even in the high water mark of his triumph.

No, it was hardly possible for Franco to conquer Madrid in 1936.
 
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