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Today in History: Nationalist Officers Launch Coup, Spark Spanish Civil War

7/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On 17 July 1936, conservative officers led by Generals Emilio Mola and José Sanjurjo, with Francisco Franco, launched a military uprising against the Second Spanish Republic. The revolt, meant to replace the Popular Front government with an authoritarian regime, only partially succeeded, sparking the three-year Spanish Civil War between Republican and Nationalist forces.

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Story summary

On 17 July 1936, conservative officers led by Generals Emilio Mola and José Sanjurjo, with Francisco Franco, launched a military uprising against the Second Spanish Republic. The revolt, meant to replace the Popular Front government with an authoritarian regime, only partially succeeded, sparking the three-year Spanish Civil War between Republican and Nationalist forces.