Authors, motivations, and context of anticlericalism in the alpujarra region of Granada during the Spanish Civil War

Abstract

The study analyzes anticlericalism in the Alpujarra region of Granada during the Spanish Civil War, considering both its historical context and the local dynamics that explain the intensity and distribution of attacks against the clergy and religious heritage. A marked territorial disparity is observed: the eastern Alpujarra concentrated most of the violent acts, while the western area recorded few, largely due to its proximity to the front line and the presence of rebel troops around Órgiva. The study also examines the perpetrators, highlighting the predominance of residents, followed by outside militiamen and revolutionary committees. Chronologically, the attacks were concentrated in the early months of the conflict. Overall, the data show that anticlericalism was driven not only by the war itself but also by deeply rooted social and ideological factors.