Coup d'etat, July 1936

• General Mola assumed the military coup would be successful. He believed the army would be able to crush any resistance swiftly and overthrow the government. He knew he had the support of the army's middle-ranking officers. The Spanish Military Union (UME) was a secretive organisation of more than 3500 officers that played a key role in the establishment of cells of conspirators throughout the country.
• Prior to the coup, Mola had arranged an alliance with the Carlists and the Falange to ensure their participation in the uprising.
• There had been meetings between prominent CEDA members and the military conspirators in the months before the uprising. The CEDA leader Gil-Robles himself was involved with the plot. He donated 500000 pesetas to the army and instructed provincial CEDA leaders to join with the military in the event of an uprising against the government.
• The uprising began with the revolt of the army garrison in Morocco on 17th July 1936. This was followed by the uprising of garrisons throughout mainland Spain. The uprising, however, faced considerable resistance, especially in areas where LW unions were strong (rural south and major cities). Trade unions quickly mobilised civilians into militia units and joined with loyal Civil Guards to resist the military rebels.
• The uprising was unable to overthrow the government and was only able to take control of parts of Spain. With control of Spanish territory divided, the stage was set for civil war.