13. dictatorship and foreign relationships

Why did Franco choose neutrality in WWII?

franco wanted to avoid war, rebuild Spain, sent Hitler a letter in 1939 saying Spain would stay neutral

What changed in 1940 that made Franco consider joining the war?

Germany had conquered France. Franco offered to join Axis if Spain got Morocco. Hitler refused- Franco stayed neutral

Why was neutrality helpful for Franco domestically?

Monarchists wanted to support Britain; Falangists supported Axis. Neutrality kept both groups satisfied.

How did Franco initially support Germany?

Sent raw materials, allowed ports, and workers for German factories

What was spains stance after Germany invaded the USSR?

Franco called it a fight against communism and she the Blue Division(18,000 volunteers) to fight for Germany

Why did Franco not fully join the Axis

He wanted to join only if it benefited Spain. When Hitler refused his demands, he stayed neutral

What caused Franco to shift to “vigilant neutrality”?

The US joined the war; Franco beloved the Allies would win and cut back support for Germany

How did US oil sanctions affect Spain?

Hit spains economy hard, caused unrest. Franco ended most Axis support in exchange for ending the embargo

What did Franco do to please the Allies?

Stopped supplying wolfram(used in explosives), expelled German spies- but still gave Germany intelligence

What internal threats did Franco fear during the war?

A British Invasion and public uprising due to economic hardship from oil sanctions

How did neutrality help Franco?

It preserved his regime during and after WWII and helped avoid destruction

How was Spain treated after WWII?

Seen as fascist and isolated- excluded from the UN, no marshal aid, accused of hiding Nazis

How did the Cold War affect Spain’s global standing?

The US saw Franco as anti-communist; in 1949 Spain received $25 million in loans ($625 million by 1957)

What did the Pact of Madrid do?

US gave $1.5 million in aid and military support; formalised US-Spain alliance

Did Spain benefit from Europes’s post-war boom?

No. Spain stayed economically isolated from Western Europe despite US ties

Why was the 1953 concordat important?

Gave Franco Papal support and royal patronage. In return, church got state funding and special rights

What ended Spain’s diplomatic isolation?

Joining the UN in 1955 marked Spain’s return to global diplomacy

What was key to Franco’s survival?

Neutrality in WWII + Cold War alignment with the US= diplomatic recovery and regime survival