2.3.2 Life in the Nationalist Zone

• Martial law gave the army almost complete power over the people living in Nationalist areas and allowed all Republican reforms to be reversed. The Spanish Syndical Organisation was established to replace trade unions
• By September 1936, leading members of the Catholic Church openly criticised the Republican government. In return, the Nationalists allowed the Church to play a prominent role in education
• The Nationalists held religious festivals to raise morale. Food was also more readily available as they controlled agricultural areas such as Extremadura