Question 7

What were the policies of the Big Powers towards the Spanish Civil War?

Introduction

• Situation in Spain and how the ideological struggles outside transformed the struggle in Spain

Germany

• Hitler helped Nationalists (Franco) to:
• Strike blow against Communism
• Weaken France by creating an ally to south
• Test units of the new German forces
• Draw Italy (already helping Franco) closer to Germany, thus making it unlikely that Mussolini would interfere when Hitler next moved against Austria
• To ensure a long conflict to distract Great Britain and France from German aggression elsewhere
• March 1937 Franco’s agreement with Hitler for war supplies, pilots and technicians
• Further deal late 1938 for oil and money – it allowed Franco to launch final attack
• Hitler given 40% share in Spanish iron mines

Italy

• Mussolini helped Franco because:
• His victory would help Italy gain naval control of Mediterranean
• Also wanted another prestige victory after Abyssinia
• Hoped to weaken British hold on Gibraltar
• Italy involved from start – large forces sent
• Italian planes helped carry Franco’s army from Morocco
• November 1936 agreement on economic and political cooperation
• Weapons sent from Italy
• Quick victory didn’t happen – Italy gained little

USA

• Refused to get involved – 1935 Neutrality Act
• This prevented sale of arms to both sides
• Failure of US, Great Britain and France to help democratic Republicans weakened them and influence of moderates e.g. Azana
• Communists came to dominate Republican side

Britain

• Said all nations should keep out of the war
• When other nations intervened feelings were:
• desire to maintain neutrality but prevent Germany and Italy gaining any Spanish territory
• The large number of Communists on Republican side inhibited Great Britain from sending them aid
• Great Britain banned arms exports to Spain
• Instrumental in setting up Non Intervention Committee: purpose to prevent foreign powers sending aid
• All Great Powers except USA joined, but only Great Britain observed its findings

France

• France had Popular Front government 1936 (similar to Spanish)
• Some members of government wanted to help Republic
• But involvement would expose France to German attack
• French cabinet divided on issue
• Great Britain pressed France not to become involved
• French banned arms exports to Spain
• Desire to be neutral but prevent Germany and Italy making gains
• Nyon Conference 1937 France and Great Britain agreed to take action against Italian submarines trying to blockade Republican ports and attacking British and French ships – the attacks soon ceased
• 1937 left wing politicians demanded intervention but government unwilling to choose between Fascists and Communists

Russia

• By end of 1936 most of Spain’s gold reserve had gone to Russia to pay for supplies and arms
• Russia only country prepared to help Republicans
• Stalin hoped initially to stop Franco winning
• Knew Great Britain and USA would never tolerate an openly Communist government
• He thus decided to prolong the war as long as possible by supplying Republicans with just enough to enable them to continue the fight
• Wanted to keep Italy and Germany occupied
• After Munich (1938) saw no chance of getting alliance with Great Britain and France against Germany
• Turned to idea of alliance with Germany – so he slowed aid to Republic to almost nothing

Conclusion

• Intervention by the Powers certain because
• Both sides seeking men, money and supplies
• Geographical position of Spain crucial
• March 1939 Franco signed defensive alliance with Italy but it didn’t lead to Spanish support for Axis in World War II – he was only interested in Spain