Crusading Ideology and the Spanish Civil War: The Persistence of an Idea (original) (raw)

This paper explores the complex interplay of religious ideology and political dynamics in the Spanish Civil War, particularly focusing on the role of the Spanish Episcopate who viewed the conflict as a Crusade against Marxist atheism and its allies. It assesses various historiographical perspectives on the influence of religion, the responses of key Catholic figures and parties, and the implications of a predominantly Catholic society facing increased secularization. The analysis indicates a persistent notion of reconquest and restoration within Catholic thought during a turbulent historical period.