2.1.3 Support and Relative Military Strength

• By 1939, the Republic had an army of 500,000 troops whilst the Nationalists had 1,025,000 troops. Both sides relied heavily upon conscription
• Although the majority of high-ranking officers had remained loyal to the Republic, they were not as numerous, meaning that there was a lack of experienced, professional officers to command individual units of troops
• There was a deep mistrust within the Republican side. Of the 7,300 officers, only half were considered loyal
• The skill and training of the Nationalist troops were far superior to those of the Republicans. The Army of Africa was renowned for its strength and training was offered to Nationalist conscripts
• Militia units, formed by trade unions and left-wing political groups, made the Republic difficult to manage as there was no formal discipline or hierarchy
• As Republican militias were committed to different ideologies, they acted independently and could not coordinate effectively
• Despite their commitment to their own ideologies, such as the Carlists' goal of restoring the monarchy rather than establishing a military dictatorship, right-wing militias accepted the need for discipline and military hierarchy
• The right-wing militias were placed under the control of Franco's military, meaning they were more easily centrally controlled. The Carlists provided 11,443 troops and the Falange provided 7,000 troops
• Nationalist Support:

  1. The police
  2. Areas where monarchism was more influential, such as Pamplona
  3. Catholics
• Republican Support:

  1. Anarchists, usually in industrial areas or places where anti-clericalism was widespread
  2. Catalonia and the Basque Country
  3. Workers in cities and urban areas
  4. Poor peasants