La Retirada

La Retirada (English: the withdrawal or the retreat) was the exodus to France from Spain between 28 January 1939 and 15 February 1939 of nearly 500,000 Republican soldiers and civilians near the end of the Spanish Civil War. The exodus was caused by the conquest of Catalonia, including the city of Barcelona, by the right-leaning Nationalist army of Francisco Franco. With the capture of Catalonia, the Civil War soon ended in victory for the Nationalists.

France was unprepared for the size of the exodus and did not give a warm welcome to the refugees. The Spaniards endured poor conditions in makeshift camps or were scattered around France. Families were separated. About 300,000 refugees returned, either voluntarily or forced, to Spain within a few months. Between 160,000 and 180,000 remained in France, joining labor battalions or the Foreign Legion or working in agriculture and industry. About 30,000 emigrated to third countries, especially Mexico.

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