Consejo Nacional de Defensa | |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Los_l%C3%ADderes_del_Consejo_Nacional_de_Defensa_a_su_llegada_al_Reino_Unido.jpg) The leaders of the National Defence Council upon their arrival to the United Kingdom: Segismundo Casado, on the left; Wenceslao Carrillo, wearing a hat. | |
| Formation | 5 March 1939 |
|---|---|
| Founded at | Madrid |
| Dissolved | 28 March 1939 |
| Type | Governing Council |
| Purpose | Defense of Spain |
| Headquarters | Madrid, Real Casa de la Aduana, Calle de Alcalá |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 40°25′02″N 3°42′07″W / 40.417281°N 3.701827°W |
Region | Southeast Spain |
President | José Miaja |
The National Defence Council (Spanish: Consejo Nacional de Defensa) was the governing body in Republican Spain at the end of the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). The council seized power with Colonel Segismundo Casado's coup on 5 March 1939 when it was clear that the Republicans had lost the war. The leaders hoped to negotiate an end to hostilities with the rebel forces led by General Francisco Franco. However, Franco insisted on unconditional surrender, and on 26 March 1939 launched the final offensive of the Spanish Civil War. By the end of the month he controlled the whole country. Most of the council members escaped into exile on British warships.