Why was the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) so cruel?

Question: Why was the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) so cruel!?

I've read that, unlike other wars, prisoners were systematically shot!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

I don't buy the 'unlike other wars' statement; but two factors seem obvious to me:

First, any civil war seems to have an aspect of cruelty somehow related to the shared heritage of the participants!. It might be that people are always more fervent when defending their own land, and in civil war both sides consider the battlegrounds to be their own land!.

Second, Germany & Italy used the Spanish Civil War to test theories of aerial bombardment in preparation for what became World War II!. To view this war as a laboratory of destructive capability, as they did, with no regard whatsoever for the victims is callous!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

Civil wars are always cruel!.Www@QuestionHome@Com