Appeasement And The Road To War #12: The Spanish Civil War Flashcards
Context of the Spanish Civil War
1936-39 ; fought between the Republicans and the Nationalists
Why did war break out in Spain 1936?
The Nationalist Forces (led by General Franco and his Army of Africa) attacked the democratically elected Republican government
Who won the Spanish Civil War?
General Franco’s forces in 1939
How long was Spain governed under a Fascist Dictatorship?
Until 1975
What did Hitler do in the Spanish Civil War DESPITE a formal policy of non-intervention?
Germany and Italy provided the Nationalists with planes, tanks, and weapons
(The USSR provided the Republicans in the same way)
Why was German involvement in the Spanish Civil War significant?
- Germany were provided with data and experience needed for their military
- Made Britain look weak as they didn’t stop Germany
- Bombing of Guernica heightened fears from Britain and others in case of consequence of a war
Why did Hitler limit his aid in the Civil War?
It risked escalating the situation into a world war which Hitler was not ready for
What did Hitler encourage Mussolini to do after limiting his own aid in the Spanish Civil War?
Send in large Italian units (because Hitler didn’t feel ready for war)
Why did many on the left ignore Hitler’s descale of Germany’s military in Spain and continue to fight in the International Brigades?
Many believed that only force would stop the spread of fascism.
What did Britain and France do as they didn’t want the Spanish Civil War to escalate?
Signed up to the non-intervention committee
What did Chamberlain say regarding his decision surrounding non-intervention in the Spanish Civil War?
That he had “one aim to maintain the peace of Europe by confining the war to Spain”
Why can Chamberlain can be blamed for the confiment of the war in only Spain?
Because he stuck to the non-intervention agreement
Why was Britain made to look weak during the Spanish Civil War?
They refused to challenge Germany, Italy, and Russia for repeatedly breaching the non-intervention agreement
Why did Paul Preston (a historian) believe that Chamberlain was partly responsible for the Nationalist Victory?
- Because of their unwillingness to challenge Germany, Italy, or Russia for breaking the non-intervention agreement.
- Had they imposed sanctions upon Germany, perhaps they wouldn’t have gone as far as to bomb Guernica.
Why did Anthony resign as Foreign Secretary in 1938?
He, who had previously supported Britain’s non-aggressive approach, began to believe that Britain should take a firmer stance with Europe’s fascist dictators
