When did the war end? This seems like it would be an easy answer to what may appear a simple question. Alas, it is not. On April 1st, 1937 Generalissimo Franco announced from Burgos via broadcast “Today, after having disarmed and captured the Red Army, the Nationalist troops have secured their final military objective. The war is ended. Burgos, April 1, 1939. Year of Victory.”
Done deal right? Not so quick, some scholars believe the war didn’t end until the death of Franco at the age of 82 on November 20th, 1975. Or did it end when Franco issued an amnesty in 1969 to those on the Republican side for their "actions" after the 1936 rising? Or did it end when on October 30, 1975 Franco gave full power to Juan Carlos? Or was it on November 22, 1975 when the Cortes Generales proclaimed Juan Carlos King of Spain. Or was it when the Spanish people voted on December 6, 1978 with 91.81% of the voters voting for a new constitution?
It is more and more apparent to me the war is not not over as the battle of memory is still being waged-here we may see the losing side win the war of memory. As the battle over whom owns the history of the war, the Republican side or the Nationalist continues. Unfortunately I believe this war as it is currently being fought is rife with the possibility of not healing old wounds but instead opening them as one side as voraciously attempted to wipe the memory of the other side out as it attempts to paint absolute evil or purity to the two sides.
Only the future will tell when and if the war has ended as there are calls from the U.N and Amnesty International to prosecute those who committed crimes during the Francoist period. I am not opposed to such a thing but these two organizations have a poor track record of holding left-wing, communist country's feet to the flame-so their motives are always in doubt.
I am not really sure-I will go with the April 1, 1939 day as the day of the end of the war. Because technically, with some armed resistance, it ended hostilities between the Nationalists and the Republicans. I think the scope of the blog should really cover the Second Republic and the 1940s. Otherwise, accepting the 1975 date as the end doesn’t I believe reflect the actual end and would force me to expand the collection. Alas, no!
This brings me to the subject of this posting-the Mexico-Spain reestablishment of diplomatic relations on March 28, 1977! Yep 1977! When Franco declared the end of hostilities on April 1, 1939 Mexico broke off diplomatic relations with Spain. It never recognized the rebellion and the Nationalists. In fact, not many people know about the significant support provided the Republic by Mexico whom after the U.S.S.R supplied the most money and material to the Republic. I admire the Mexican government for saying heck no.
Mexico issued three airmail stamps (SC #C537-539) in 1977 to commemorate the reestablishment of diplomatic relations with Spain. Simple in their design with one having portraits of Mexican President De La Mora and King Juan Carlos, another with the two countries and another with their official seals.
Kind of blah-however, Mexico would make up for the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of this reestablishment of relations in 2002.
The aid provided by Mexico included; $2,000,000 in aid and material assistance, 20,000 Rifles, 28,000,000 cartridges, and Aircraft.
More importantly, Mexico provided a safe place for Republican Spanish refugees to migrate to once the war ended. I actually know someone, a friend, whose grandfather came to Mexico from Spain as a refugee.
No comments:
Post a Comment