Foreign Intervention
Background
Spanish Civil War started as a distinctly Spanish war born out of Spanish disputes
it soon took on an international character
it mirrored the political disputes occurring in Europe
between Fascism and democracy
opposition to godless Communism
Both sides realised the importance of foreign aid and support
Propaganda - key role
Nationalists argued that they represented the cause of Christianity, order and Western civilisation against Communism
Republicans argued that they were legally elected government of Spain which was under attack from anti-democratic generals and the fascist dictatorships
Germany
Italy
sent aid to Franco (Nationalists)
German aid totalled 16,000 men, 200 tanks and 600 planes
some activities of the German Condor Legion became infamous
bombing of Guernica
militarily the Condor Legion was, as Beevor states - 'the most efficient and influential assistance in Spain'
the aid of German planes meant Nationalists had air superiority
crucial to their success during the war
Germans used Spain as a testing ground for their new planes, tanks and the development of blitzkrieg tactics
sent 75,000 men, 150 tanks, 660 aircraft
Beevor - 'the Italian contribution to the Nationalist cause was enormous and more general than the German contribution'
supported Franco (Nationalists)
major role in the blockade of Republican ports
Others
Portugal
led by General Salazar
sent 12,000 troops
Ireland
led by General Eoin O'Duffy
700 volunteers
to Nationalists
To Nationalists
Britain, France and USA
Britain and France remained neutral - pursued a non-intervention policy
Britain and France tried to prevent foreign support for either side (belligerent)
little success
US adopted a policy of non-intervention
influenced by the powerful Catholic lobby there
This non-intervention prevented the Republic from purchasing arms openly
hampered the Republicans ability to resist the Nationalist threat
USSR
Supported Republicans
one of the two main sources for Republican foreign aid (along with International Brigades)
sent 2,500 men, 1,000 planes and 900 tanks
her ideological allies, the Communists, were to play a major role in Republican areas
International Brigades
supported the Republicans
to many in Europe the Republicans stood for freedom, democracy and enlightenment against facsism
they pointed to Nationalist massacres and the bombing of cities (e.g. Guernica) to back their case
made up of men who opposed the spread of fascism
mainly communist volunteers
volunteers from many different countries: France, Germany, Britain and USA
numbered about 50,000 men in all from 53 countries
200 men let by Frank Ryan volunteered from Ireland
many of the battalions were named after famous revolutions or revolutionaries
French Commune De Paris
American George Washington battalion
Slogans
they will not pass
Spain - the Graveyard of European Fascism
Brigades were under the control of the communist movement - the Comintern
operated outside the regular command of the Spanish Republican Army
Joseph Brox, (Tito) - future dictator of Yugoslavia, headed up the principal recruiting office in Paris
fought with desperate courage, subject to savage discipline
over 500 were shot for political offences
used by the Communists in internal struggles against their political enemies, the Socialists and Anarchists
withdrawn in October 1938 as the position of the Republic became desperate