What was the primary result of the Spanish Civil War?

The primary result of the Spanish Civil War was the overthrow of the Spanish Republic, leading to the establishment of a fascist dictatorship under Francisco Franco. The conflict, which lasted from 1936 to 1939, pitted the Republicans, who were a coalition of leftist groups including communists, socialists, and anarchists, against the Nationalists, led by Franco and composed of conservatives, monarchists, and fascists. The Nationalists' victory effectively ended the Second Spanish Republic, which had been struggling with political instability and social unrest.

The war was marked by severe violence and atrocities committed by both sides, but ultimately, the Nationalists gained control over the country. Franco's regime would last until his death in 1975, during which Spain would be transformed into a repressive dictatorship that suppressed political dissent and regional autonomy, particularly targeting Catalonia and other regions that sought independence or greater autonomy. Thus, the war's primary political upheaval was indeed the fall of the republic and the rise of authoritarian rule.