1. Italian and German Involvement
Spanish Civil War
Italian and German Involvement

2. Background “War of Ideologies”
Fought between Republicans and Nationalists
Attempted seizure of power led by General Francisco Franco in 1936
Failure to take the capital (Madrid) led to civil war

3. Foreign Support and Intervention
Predominantly from authoritarian states
Nationalists (right-wing supporters)
Germany and Italy major source of armaments and money
Republicans (left-wing; government supporters)
Soviet Union only major source of arms (extremely slow delivery)
Also came from Mexico, despite U.S. and Latin American condemnation

4. Reasons for Italian Support
Territory (Balearic Islands)
Ideology
Weakening of France (close links to Populist Government)
Militarize people of Italy

5. “At the Nuremburg Trials, Goering claimed that the chief motive of Germany was to use Spain as a testing ground for the German air force, but this seems to have been a very minor reason. Hitler’s thinking had much more to do with promoting a favourable balance of power in Western Europe and using a Nationalist-run Spain to weaken France, allowing Germany to expand unopposed into Eastern Europe. His main aim was to prevent the emergence of a Spanish-French bloc which might be directed against Germany.”
Patricia Knight, historian

6. Reasons for German Involvement
Mineral resources and military bases
Test air force on civilian populations
“Defender against Communism”
Undermine French security

7. Response of Other European Powers
Mainly non-interventionist, though France covertly sent minor resources
Why would the European nations be hesitant to intervene?

8. Effects of Involvement
Franco becomes dictator of Spain in 1939; consolidated right-wing parties into his regime.
Italy
Germany
High economic cost increased trade w/Germany
Exposed military weakness
Increased tensions with France and Britain
Italy drew closer to Germany
Polarized opinion in Europe (due to length)
Reinforced suspicions between GB/France and the Soviet Union (no strong anti-Fascist stance)
Hitler believed Britain would not take strong action