The Spanish Civil War Quiz

A military revolt started the war, which quickly escalated.

The Nationalists had a fascist streak that endeared them to the Nazis.

And it dragged on until 1939.

They were dead-set against social reforms and many had prominent roles in society.

It included men from all over the world who had Communist leanings.

The U.K.'s official policy was just to try and stay out of the messy affair.

Both sides dehumanized political opponents and savagely tortured and killed them.

Two months into the conflict, he was elected and then never relinquished his leadership.

Mexico refused to commit to non-intervention agreements and very much wanted the Republicans to win.

The war essentially pitted workers against the privileged, but there were plenty of other political nuances at work, too.

The leftists killed tens of thousands of people, including many religious leaders; the church had sided against leftist reforms.

Another half a million people fled the country in a desperate bid to survive.

Politically-motivated executions (without trial) killed untold thousands of people.

The Communists did side with the Republicans, though.

Ordinary humans treated each other like animals, leading to mind-numbing brutality.

Spain sent off most of its gold reserve to Moscow in exchange for military help.

The city provided Franco a way to move his troops in from northern Africa.

Franco seized control of the country and didn't let go.

Only Mexico and the USSR publicly supported the Republican side; Germany and Italy were prominent supports of the Nationalists.

He ruled with force, killing hundreds of thousands of Spanish citizens.

They realized early on that they needed more military might to fight for victory.

They employed horrific violence as a means to their ends.

But France didn't support the Republicans, publicly out of fear that it might spark a revolt on French soil.

In a time when air power was relatively new, the bombing was considered an outrage; it inspired one of Pablo Picasso's most famous paintings.

High estimates were at more than 1,600, and lows were at just more than 100; either way, it allowed the Nationalists to take over the town.

Franco attacked the city multiple times and, to his frustration, failed.

Hitler convinced him that it was a good idea; about 50,000 Italians fought at one point or another.

At minimum, 30,000 people were executed, but the number may have reached six figures.

He was consciously practicing for the next big event … World War II.

Spain, battered by its internal conflict, never officially joined the Germans in their fight.