... advantage of surprise and the backing of the majority of younger officers, it fell far short of its immediate objectives, to take all of Spain's major cities prior to an assault on Madrid. According to the Left, it was the government's refusal to hand over arms to the para-military forces of the unions and militias which allowed the conspirators their initial success. Although the government consisted of civilian legalists who were appalled at the consequences of an armed struggle, the Republic had clearly made a fatal error in refusing to authorize the distribution of arms. This early mistake undoubtedly aided the insurgents in their most vulnerable days of the war. The commitment of local army garrisons to the rebellion and also the willingness of the Civil and Assault guards to abandon their allegiance to the Republic was often the deciding factor in the fall of key regions and towns. Where the ...

See this essay or coursework document in full right now