Sovereign Council of Asturias and León

Origins

After Bilbao fell to Franco in June 1937, and as Santander fell in late August, Asturias and part of León were isolated from the Republican government in Valencia. On 24 August 1937 the Interprovincial Council at Gijón, led by the Socialist miners' leader Belarmino Tomás, declared itself sovereign.

Rule and society

The council took over all civil and military powers, issued its own decrees and money, and tried to organise defence of the mountains and the mining valleys with exhausted troops and few supplies. The central government saw the declaration as a step too far, but could do little.

Decline and legacy

Nationalist forces broke through in October 1937. Leaders and soldiers fled by sea, and Franco's troops entered Gijón on 21 October 1937, ending the war in the north.