Spanish Civil War (1936-39) Flashcards Preview

C: Fascist Italy Foreign Policy > Spanish Civil War (1936-39) > Flashcards

Flashcards in Spanish Civil War (1936-39) Deck (42)
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1
Q

dates?

A

July 1936 to April 1939

2
Q

What was the SCW?

A

A conflict in which the Spanish Rep Govt & LW groups fought against a RW nationalist rebellion led by Franco.

3
Q

What did Antonio Machado characterise the divisions in Spain as?

A

“the 2 Spains”

4
Q

The Republicans

A
  • ranged from centrists to advocates of communism/ anarchism
  • power base: urban & secular
  • strong in Catalonia & the Basque County
5
Q

The Nationalist Rebels

A
  • Supporters: rural, rich conservatives
  • mostly Catholic
  • favoured the centralisation of power
6
Q

Number of casualties?

A

500k-1M

7
Q

What were many of the casualties the result of?

A

Not military fighting but mass brutal executions perpetrated by both sides.

8
Q

How did the SCW start?

A

With military uprisings throughout Spain followed by Rep reprisals against the Church (allies of the rebels)

9
Q

Which group in society faced potential massacres?

A

Catholic clergy (both regular and secular)

10
Q

How many bishops were murdered?

A

12

11
Q

How many priests were murdered?

A

over 4000

12
Q

How did Franco retaliate to the massacres committed by the Reps?

A

Initiated a cleansing of anything “red” or related to the SRG, including TUs and PPs.

13
Q

What was the SCW a training ground for?

A

AH’s new toys ;)

14
Q

What was the B govt’s stance?

A

officially neutral

15
Q

Although officially neutral, what did the B govt maintain?

A

-an arms embargo on Spain

16
Q

What did the B govt discourage?

A

The anti-Fascist participation of its citizens.

17
Q

What did the SRG hope would happen w/ start of WW2?

A

That the European powers would finally help them. Did NOT happen :(

18
Q

What did BM and AH do?

A

They violated the embargo and sent troops, aircraft and weapons to help Franco.

19
Q

How many troops did BM send to Spain?

A

60k troops

20
Q

What was a consequence of the arms embargo?

A

SRG could only receive aid from USSR, which was:

1) 1000s of miles away
2) in economic disarray itself

21
Q

Why were BM’s troops essentially “volunteers”?

A

Italy never declared war on SRG.

22
Q

What did a poster of the SRG urge Spaniards to do?

A

“Rise up against the Italian invasion of Spain!”

23
Q

What did Italy give Spain?

A

1) 4 destroyers
2) 2 submarines
3) 4 motor torpedo boats

24
Q

Which factor contributed the most to the development of the Axis?

A

Italian’s involvement in SCW

B & F’s reaction to Abyssinia had already undermined the SF

25
Q

What were the direct results of SCW?

A

1) Speed w/ which BM abandoned the defence of Austrian independence.
2) BM’s acceptance of the destruction of Czechoslovakia.
3) The Pact of Steel.

26
Q

International reasons why BM intervened in SCW…

A

1) To stop French LW influence in Spain.
2) To cultivate an ally in a strategic area.
3) To establish greater Italian influence in the Med.
4) To demonstrate Italy’s might to the world.`

27
Q

Ideological reasons why BM intervened in SCW…

A

1) To fight against decadent democracy & Socialism.

2) To help spread Fascism.

28
Q

Domestic reasons why BM intervened in SCW…

A

1) To maintain the momentum for fascistisation at home.

29
Q

General reasons why BM intervened in SCW…

A

1) To stay in the limelight.
2) To have another war.
3) He had become overambitious after the Abyssinian victory.

30
Q

BM considered the conflict to be over…

A

… very quickly.

31
Q

Whose decision was it for Italy to intervene in SCW?

A

BM’s; few others favoured it, given the potential costs & little anticipated gains.

32
Q

What did BM say the SCW did to the Italian economy?

A

“Bled Italy white”

33
Q

How much did Italy’s involvement in SCW cost?

A

14 B lire (1/2 a year’s tax revenue) & required special levies.

34
Q

What happened to the lire after SCW?

A

It was devalued.

35
Q

What economic consequences did SCW have on Italy?

A

1) Disrupted Italian trade & reinforced the trend of increasing trade with Germany.

36
Q

How much of her foreign currency reserves did Italy lose due to the SCW?

A

1/2

37
Q

What were the domestic repercussions of the SCW?

A

Made the govt unpopular (apart from with the CC)

38
Q

Where were Italian military weaknesses exposed?

A

Guadalajara

39
Q

What were the military repercussions of Italian involvement in SCW?

A

:)

1) Italy were on winning side- claimed a great victory.

:(

1) Prevented Italy from consolidating its strength after the Abyssinian conflict.
2) Used up much needed weapons and ammo.
3) Italy’s military strength was less in 1939 than in 1936; it was unprepared for WW2 in ‘39.
4) Humiliated at Guadalajara; Italian weaknesses were exposed.

40
Q

What were the POSITIVE international repercussions of Italian involvement in SCW?

A

:)

1) Italy gained a potential supporter in a strategic position, facing F & B.
2) Helped establish another Fascist regime.

41
Q

What were the NEGATIVE international repercussions of Italian involvement in SCW?

A

:(

1) Italy gained little of real value; just Spanish neutrality.
2) Diverted Italian attention from the German threat to Austria.
3) Increased Italy’s links with NG.
4) It reinforced Italy’s quarrel with B & F (but they still wanted her friendship)

42
Q

What happened at Guadalajara?

A

Italians defeated by international brigades.

MARCH 1937