Photo problem has been solved, pictures should now come in clear as a bell! I'll be optimizing some of them in the next few hours.
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Civil War Begins in Spain
On January 15th, 1936, as the Soviets were preparing to invade Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, things had been going on elsewhere. Manuel Azaña, famous Spanish author and socialist, had united the Socialist Party (PSOE), Communist Party ( PCE), Esquerra Party and the Republican Union Party to form the Popular Front. The Popular Front had large Soviet ties, but they weren't given full attention as Stalin was focusing on the oncoming war. In the February elections, the Popular Front won the majority of votes (but by only a slight margin over the National Front, a right-wing coalition created in reaction to it).
Popular Front propaganda. Manuel Azaña is pictured in the top left.
Popular Front activities in Spain upset the National Front greatly. As soon as they got into office, they set about the task of releasing all left-wing political prisoners. New land reforms led to the penalization of the wealthy. Any openly right-wing military leader was transferred to Africa (such as Francisco Franco), and the Falange Española (a group sympathizing with the National Front) was outlawed. Finally, they granted Catalonia political and administrative autonomy, which was the last straw for many Nationalists.
The wealthy began taking their money out of the country, and Spain fell into economic decline. Inflation started growing rapidly, and workers demanded higher wages. Large-scale strikes began, and it seemed the new government of Spain would collapse. As Litvinov negotiated a surrender with Lithuania, the conservative government, led by Niceto Alcala Zamora was toppled, and Manuel Azaña took his place as president. Many people simply abandoned the government, and that is when dissidents started to become full-fledged rebels. Eventually, on July 17th, 1936, they declared a new civil war had begun.
Nationalist rebels in Morocco.
Attempts to negotiate with them failed. Azaña appointed Diego Martinez Barrio (leader of the RUP) to try and broker a deal with them, but he failed, and was sacked subsequently. The president finally realized that there was no way to deal with the Nationalist, and appointed José Giral as his prime minister. Giral immediately dispersed arms to any anti-Nationalist group in Spain, including the Anarchists (previous enemies of the Popular Front).
A Republican soldier says goodbye to his son as he goes to fight in the Civil War.
At the outbreak, the Soviets did nothing more than issue a statement of support for the Republicans. Many wanted to do more, but their hands were tied as they tried to manage their new territories. But, Litvinov promised aide would come as soon as it was able to be shipped.
Popular Front Victories in France
As the Popular Front in Spain was forming, there was another Popular Front party in France. Formed in November of 1935, it included the Communist Party, the Socialist Party and the Radical Party. These also drew a large amount of support from the Soviets. In the May elections of 1936, the Popular Front won a majority in the French government, and Leon Blum became Prime Minister of France. This was a major victory for the Soviets, as they could now insert themselves into French politics at their will. At this time, Soviet sponsored leftists reached a new high in western Europe.
Two posters from the election of 1936.
Leon Blum.
But, the conservatives were still a major presence in France as well. At the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, José Giral requested aide from France. Yet, the power of the conservatives was demonstrated when they blocked Leon Blum from doing anything more than sending supplies. Under both national, and international (from France's ally, Britain) pressure, Blum was forced to make a public statement, requesting countries refrain from taking a part in the Spanish Civil War. The communists now turned against him, and started organizing mass demonstrations.
And so, at this point, the Soviets deemed it necessary to either intervene in western Europe, or lose the support of two possible friends in the future. They chose the latter.
On January 15th, 1936, as the Soviets were preparing to invade Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, things had been going on elsewhere. Manuel Azaña, famous Spanish author and socialist, had united the Socialist Party (PSOE), Communist Party ( PCE), Esquerra Party and the Republican Union Party to form the Popular Front. The Popular Front had large Soviet ties, but they weren't given full attention as Stalin was focusing on the oncoming war. In the February elections, the Popular Front won the majority of votes (but by only a slight margin over the National Front, a right-wing coalition created in reaction to it).
Popular Front propaganda. Manuel Azaña is pictured in the top left.
Popular Front activities in Spain upset the National Front greatly. As soon as they got into office, they set about the task of releasing all left-wing political prisoners. New land reforms led to the penalization of the wealthy. Any openly right-wing military leader was transferred to Africa (such as Francisco Franco), and the Falange Española (a group sympathizing with the National Front) was outlawed. Finally, they granted Catalonia political and administrative autonomy, which was the last straw for many Nationalists.
The wealthy began taking their money out of the country, and Spain fell into economic decline. Inflation started growing rapidly, and workers demanded higher wages. Large-scale strikes began, and it seemed the new government of Spain would collapse. As Litvinov negotiated a surrender with Lithuania, the conservative government, led by Niceto Alcala Zamora was toppled, and Manuel Azaña took his place as president. Many people simply abandoned the government, and that is when dissidents started to become full-fledged rebels. Eventually, on July 17th, 1936, they declared a new civil war had begun.
Nationalist rebels in Morocco.
Attempts to negotiate with them failed. Azaña appointed Diego Martinez Barrio (leader of the RUP) to try and broker a deal with them, but he failed, and was sacked subsequently. The president finally realized that there was no way to deal with the Nationalist, and appointed José Giral as his prime minister. Giral immediately dispersed arms to any anti-Nationalist group in Spain, including the Anarchists (previous enemies of the Popular Front).
A Republican soldier says goodbye to his son as he goes to fight in the Civil War.
At the outbreak, the Soviets did nothing more than issue a statement of support for the Republicans. Many wanted to do more, but their hands were tied as they tried to manage their new territories. But, Litvinov promised aide would come as soon as it was able to be shipped.
Popular Front Victories in France
As the Popular Front in Spain was forming, there was another Popular Front party in France. Formed in November of 1935, it included the Communist Party, the Socialist Party and the Radical Party. These also drew a large amount of support from the Soviets. In the May elections of 1936, the Popular Front won a majority in the French government, and Leon Blum became Prime Minister of France. This was a major victory for the Soviets, as they could now insert themselves into French politics at their will. At this time, Soviet sponsored leftists reached a new high in western Europe.
Two posters from the election of 1936.
Leon Blum.
But, the conservatives were still a major presence in France as well. At the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, José Giral requested aide from France. Yet, the power of the conservatives was demonstrated when they blocked Leon Blum from doing anything more than sending supplies. Under both national, and international (from France's ally, Britain) pressure, Blum was forced to make a public statement, requesting countries refrain from taking a part in the Spanish Civil War. The communists now turned against him, and started organizing mass demonstrations.
And so, at this point, the Soviets deemed it necessary to either intervene in western Europe, or lose the support of two possible friends in the future. They chose the latter.
I couldnt help but notice.. the route that the Sivashskaya motorized division took to encircle the estonian divisions was through the worst swamps and marshes in estonia .. and considering that 35% of estonia is covered with swamps.. in fact we call that area "Soomaa" which means marshland in english 
Sad to see that my country cant put up a decent fight in HoI ..
damn paradox people crippled it by leaving out/giving away over half of its territory
but its a great AAR
Sad to see that my country cant put up a decent fight in HoI ..
damn paradox people crippled it by leaving out/giving away over half of its territory
but its a great AAR
I see.. Sorry about that. Looks like I need to study up on my Estonian geography. The official excuse will be that they took the good roads.
Don't worry about your country not putting up a fight. They come in later at an important part.
Don't worry about your country not putting up a fight. They come in later at an important part.
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There's something up with my computer, the next update will come late, probably Friday.
Wow, someone was actually reading it? Well thanks! I thought I didn't have any fans.
This AAR is going to be put aside, and I might work on another one for Victoria. Maybe in a month or so I'll post an update, although considering my track record its understandable if some don't believe me...
This AAR is going to be put aside, and I might work on another one for Victoria. Maybe in a month or so I'll post an update, although considering my track record its understandable if some don't believe me...