Before this period, the
Nationalists had already become dominant, yet the outcome of the war was still not certain. This progressively changed as the Nationalist forces notched up several victories.
The December 1937 – February 1938
Battle of Teruel was an important confrontation between Nationalists and
Republicans. The city belonged to the Republicans at the beginning of the battle, but the Nationalists conquered it in January. The Republican government launched an offensive and recovered the city, however, the Nationalists conquered it for good by 22 February. On 14 April 1938, the Nationalists broke through to the
Mediterranean Sea during the
Aragon Offensive, cutting the government-held portion of Spain in two. The government tried to sue for peace in May, but
Francisco Franco demanded
unconditional surrender, and the war raged on. The Nationalist army pressed southward from
Teruel and along the coast toward the capital of the Republic at
Valencia but were halted in heavy fighting along the fortified
XYZ Line.
The government now launched an all-out campaign to distract the Nationalists from their attack on Valencia and to reconnect their territory in the
Battle of the Ebro, beginning on 24 July and lasting until 26 November. Although the campaign was militarily successful at first, it was fatally undermined by the Franco-British appeasement of
Adolf Hitler in the
Munich Agreement. The concession of
Czechoslovakia destroyed the last vestiges of Republican morale by ending all hope of an anti-Francoist alliance with the great powers. The Republicans were eventually defeated and withdrew in November 1938, another significant step towards the Nationalist's final victory.
The retreat from the
Ebro all but determined the outcome of the war. Eight days before the new year, Franco struck back by throwing massive forces into an invasion of
Catalonia.
The Nationalists conquered Catalonia in a whirlwind
campaign during the first two months of 1939.
Tarragona fell on January 14, followed by
Barcelona on 26 January and
Girona on 5 February. Five days after the fall of Girona, the last resistance in Catalonia was broken.
On 27 February, the governments of the United Kingdom and France recognized
Francoist Spain.
Only
Madrid and a few other strongholds remained for the government forces. On 28 March, with the help of pro-Nationalist forces inside the city (the "
fifth column" General
Emilio Mola had mentioned in propaganda broadcasts in 1936), Madrid fell to the Nationalists. The next day, Valencia, which had held out under the guns of the Nationalists for close to two years, also surrendered. Victory was proclaimed on 1 April, when the last of the Republican forces surrendered.
After the end of the war, there were severe reprisals against the Nationalist's former enemies on the left, when thousands of Republicans were imprisoned and between 10,000 and 28,000 executed. Many other Republicans fled abroad, especially to France and Mexico.
Republican troops are forced to abandon Teruel and follow the highway to
Valencia, under pressure from Moroccan troops commanded by General
Yagüe. End of the
Battle of Teruel.
The Nationalists reach the
Mediterranean at
Vinaròs, dividing the Republican zone in two.
June
France once again closes its borders.
July 5
The international
Non-Intervention Committee reaches an agreement regarding the withdrawal of all foreign volunteers from Spain.
July 24
Start of the
Battle of the Ebro. Republican forces attempt to divert the Nationalists from attacking Valencia and to diminish the pressure on
Catalonia. At first, the Republican troops, commanded by General
Modesto, achieve considerable success, but are then limited by superior Nationalist air power. Heavy combat continues into November
September 21
In a speech to the
League of Nations Doctor
NegrÃn, head of the Republican government, announces that the
International Brigades will be pulled from the combat zones. The withdrawal begins October 4.
October 30
The Nationalists counterattack, forcing Republican troops back across the
Ebro.
November 16
End of the Battle of the Ebro.
December 23
The battle for
Barcelona begins. A six-pronged Nationalist attack is launched, with separate
columns from the
Pyrenees to the Ebro. They take
Borges Blanques, surround
Tarragona and reach the outskirts of Barcelona. The Republican government retreats from Barcelona to
Girona, although troops continue to maintain the defense of the city.
Detailed chronology: 1939
January 5
The Republican army starts a diversionary offensive in Extremadura, the
Valsequillo Offensive.
January 15
France once again allows arms to flow to the Republic.