Revolutionary Catalonia - Beginning of The War

Beginning of The War

During the military uprising of July 1936, anarchist and socialist militias along with Republican forces including the Assault and Civil Guards defeated the forces led by the nationalist army officers in Catalonia and parts of eastern Aragon. The CNT-FAI now came to the forefront as the most powerful organization in Barcelona, seizing countless arms and buildings such as the telephone buildings and post offices. Through the various factory and transport committees they dominated the economy of Catalonia. In spite of their militant anti-statism, they decided not to overthrow the Catalan government. The president of the Generalitat of Catalonia and head of the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), Luis Companys, was generally accommodating with the CNT but was wary of their appropriation of the means of production. The CNT and Luis Companys worked together to set up the Central Anti-Fascist Militia Committee, which became the main governing body in the region.