Wartime History of the Basques

in july 1936, military uprising erupted across spain, in face of basque nationalists in biscay , gipuzkoa sided spanish republicans, many in navarre, carlist stronghold, supported general francisco franco s insurgent forces. (the latter known in spain nacionales —usually rendered in english nationalists —which can highly misleading in basque context). however, navarre not spared. rebels led general mola made strong in district, initiated terror campaign against blacklisted individuals aimed @ purging rearguard , break glimmer of dissent. confirmed death toll rose 2,857, plus further 305 in prison (malnutrition, ill-treatment, etc.); victims , historic memory associations raise figure near 4,000.

another big atrocity of war, immortalised picasso s emblematic mural, bombing of gernika german planes, biscayne town of great historical , symbolic importance, @ franco s bidding. in 1937, eusko gudarostea, troops of new government of basque autonomous community surrendered franco s fascist italian allies in santoña on condition lives of basque soldiers respected (santoña agreement). basques (gipuzkoa, biscay) fled lives exile tens of thousands, including mass evacuation of children aboard chartered boats (the niños de la guerra) permanent exile.

with spanish civil war over, new dictator began drive turn spain totalitarian nation state. franco s regime passed harsh laws against minorities in spanish state, including basques, aimed @ wiping out cultures , languages. calling biscay , gipuzkoa traitor provinces , abolished remained of autonomy. navarre , Álava allowed hang onto small local police force , limited tax prerogatives.

after 1937, basque territories remained behind war lines, french basque country became forced destination fellow basques spain fleeing war, find confined in prisoner camps, such gurs on outer fringes of soule (basses pyrenees). armistice of 22 june 1940 established german military occupation of french atlantic, including french basque country saint-jean-pied-de-port, rest of being falling on vichy france. whole western , central pyrenees became hotspot clandestine operations , organized resistance, e.g. comet line.