1. SPANISH CIVIL WAR: FOREIGN INTERVENTION -The decision by foreign governments of getting involved or not was a result of both ideology and self-interest. BRITAIN: -Britain establish the NIC in September 1936. -Britain’s fear was the war would spread and become a general European conflict. -Germany, Italy and the USSR ignored the NIC and became the main foreign forces in Spain. -Britain’s non-intervention policies were limited and tended to favor the Nationalists. -It allowed the Nationalists to use Gibraltar as a communication base.

2. -Britain and USA allowed their companies to trade with the Nationalists.

4. FRANCE - The French support for the Republic was inconsistent, because it was not in its interest to have a right-wing regime on its border that could join Italy and Germany to encircle France. - France restricted itself mainly to humanitarian assistance. - The resulting alliance of the Republic on the Soviets polarized the politics of the SCW, and associated the Republic with Soviet communism. - France was the main centre for the coordination of Soviet aid.

5. USSR - The Soviet support was not simple ideological. - The Spanish conflict presented a dilemma to Stalin. - The emergence of another fascist state in Europe would strengthen Hitler’s position. - A Republic victory could panic Britain and France into an alliance with Hitler against the threat of communism. - Stalin initially welcomed the NIC, but seeing that Germany and Italy were ignoring that; he organized the transport of international volunteers to Spain and also weapons from Russia. - Nevertheless, Stalin withdrew Soviet support in June 1938.

6. GERMANY - Hitler was cautious when the appeal for help, he was not ready for a general European war. - Hermann Göring and Hitler wanted to stop the communism as well as test the LUFTWAFFE in live conditions. - There were economic and strategic benefits for Germany, raw material could be gained. - Germany supplied the Nationalists through Portugal. - The Condor Legion perpetrated the infamous bombing of Guernica as well as they played an important role supporting the Nationalists in taking Catalonia.

8. ITALY - Italy gave the most assistance. Mussolini wanted to be involved for many reasons. - His involvement would be in line with his anti- communism/socialism and pro-fascist stance. - He wanted to enhance his influence in the Mediterranean and show Italy’s might. - A fascist victory would weaken France and another fascist power would encircle France and put pressure on French colonies in North Africa. - Italy contributed with 75,000 troops, planes, tanks, weapons, the submarines were a constant threat to supplies. Italian and German relations were cemented in Spain.

9. PORTUGAL - Portugal was an important part of the foreign contribution to Franco’s victory. - It was the only country not compromised by membership of the NIC. - Portugal sent 20,000 troops, and it was also fundamental to supplying the rebels along the Portuguese-Spanish border. - Portugal’s long-term alliance with Britain led to the British being reluctant to counter its support for the Nationalist.