Spanish civil war: 1936

who was the Spanish civil war between

• supporters of the republican government (republicans)

• and the right wing rebels (nationalists) - under general Franco

describe the USSR’s involvement in the SCW

• they supported the republicans (in the form of weapons, aircraft and pilots)

who did Mussolini and hitler support in the SCW

• general franco

• they all shared the same view (fascist dictators)

describe B+F response to the SCW

• did not directly intervene (but France did supply some weapons for the republicans)

describe Italy’s involvement in the SCW

• originally agreed they would not intervene but Mussolini sent thousands of Italian troops ( officially volunteers)

describe German involvement in the SCW

• original greed they would not intervene but

• sent aircraft and pilot who took part in most of the major campaigns of the war including bombing raids on the civilian population

• viewed it as a good opportunity to try out the new Luftwaffe and develop the blitzkrieg (tactic of intense bombing) - german military could us this in future conflicts

consequences of the SCW for peace in Europe

• strengthened bonds with Mussolini and Hitler

• encourage hitler to believe that B+F would not intervene against him if he took further actions against the TOV

• although Britain didn’t intervene, hitlers actions alarmed chamberlain and he ordered massive increases in spending on the British armed forces (mainly the RAF)

• USSR became suspicious of B+F due to their reluctancy of getting involved and imposing fascism

why was the SCW important for hitler

• encouraged him to be aggressive

• allowed him to develop his military/air force and test out tactics

• becomes even more sure that B+F would not intervene if he acted aggressively