g. CNT militias from Barcelona concentrated on recapturing Saragossa in July, centre of anarchist activity but not strategically important. Despite this military disadvantage that allowed the Nationalists to gain an upper hand as they were the more efficient force, geographically, the Republicans controlled most major cities and main industrial areas including Catalonia, Basque country and Asturias. These areas had heavy industry, vital for production of armaments but difficulty without raw material imports. However, the Nationalists still retained their advantage as they held most food producing areas and were supported by Salazar dictatorship in Portugal. This meant that it was easier for them to supply their army with food and equipment that they needed giving them an advantage at the onset of the Civil war yet not one significant enough that it would prove to be the greatest reason they were victorious. .
The role of Franco is also a significant reason as to why the Nationalists win the civil war; his leadership contrasted greatly with the ineffectiveness of the Republicans to unite behind one strong leader and his relations with the International powers also helped the Nationalist to gain more ground over their opponents. Franco's deals with Italy and Germany brought unbroken aid with little in return (some mining rights ceded to Germany). Although this does contrast with the Republicans failure to secure consistent foreign aid, it cannot be said that without Franco's communication with the international players, they would not have worked with anyone else. Franco's old fashioned tactics (War of attrition) gave the long-term advantage to the better trained and organised Nationalist forces with their consistent foreign aid however in many ways it prolonged the war which frustrated the Germans and Italians. The main role of Franco was that he provided a sense of unity. This was done mainly through his ruthlessness.
