As the Spanish Civil War unfolded, local regions sought to assert authority and coordinate defense against opposing forces. The Regional Defence Council of Aragon emerged as a crucial local governance body aimed at managing wartime resources and defense strategies. With escalating conflict in Spain, the republican government recognized the need for decentralized governance that allowed regions to better respond to local challenges. On December 23, the Spanish Republic officially legalized the council, affirming its role within the broader republican structure.

The council was comprised of elected representatives from the Socialist and Anarchist movements, reflecting a diverse political landscape that characterized the struggling republic. It operated under the principles that emphasized local autonomy, aimed at democratizing military efforts and harnessing local support for the war cause. The council also coordinated various militias, organizing volunteers and logistics necessary for effective regional defense.

This legalization was not merely a bureaucratic measure; it imbued the council with legitimacy and opened avenues for more robust local governance—establishing a different dynamic in the civil conflict, where central authority was often challenged by regional factions. The outcome of these decisions played a crucial role in various military outcomes in Aragon, influencing the trajectory of the war itself.