European states (Spain): Examine the significance of foreign intervention in the course and outcome of the SCW Flashcards
Intro/thesis
Paragraphs
-Military support for Nationalists
-Economic support for Nationalists
-Limited & inconsistent military & economic support for Republicans
Military support for Nationalists- examples
-During the course of the war, the Germans sent between 10,000 and 16,000 advisors, instructors, troops, pilots, and communications experts in the Condor Legion.
-With the support of the Condor Legion, the defenses of Bilbao collapsed in June 1937, giving Franco control of naval shipyards. The Condor Legion also played a pivotal role in the fall of Catalonia, as it reinforced Nationalist forces and kept the rebels supplied with German equipment.
-The Italians sent 70,000-75,000 troops and contributed many planes, tanks, and weapons.
Military support for Nationalists- explanation & historiography
-Some historians have seen Germany sending military aid as a pivotal moment in the war, as without Franco’s troops, the Republic may have been able to isolate rebel forces and crush the rebellion.
-Overall, the involvement of Germany was important to the outcome of the war, not only as it played crucial military roles during the fighting, but also because other governments were deterred from getting involved due to its presence.
-Historians suggest that although Italy sent many troops, the significant element of its intervention was its air and naval support, which included participation in the bombardment of Madrid and the Italian navy’s blockade of Republican supplies.
-Mary Vincent argues that the defeat of the Republic was inevitable given the scale of foreign support for the Nationalists.
Economic support for Nationalists- examples
-It has been estimated that the US gave $700 million in credit during the course of the war. This meant that Franco could buy all the rubber and oil they needed, which was acquired from US companies.
-Hitler committed 540 million Reichsmarks to the war, thinking that the war would not last long.
-In contrast, the Republic did not receive any significant foreign financial assistance, except a minor Soviet credit in 1938 (around 70 million dollars).
Economic support for Nationalists- explanation & historiography
-The Nationalists benefited more from aid, which was of a better quality than that given to the Republicans, and its supply was continuous throughout the war.
-Foreign resources to pay for the war were especially relevant because Spain did not have the capacity to produce military goods. Hence, imports were essential to maintain the war effort. Franco was able to purchase his military equipment with German and Italian “aid” and with loans from private banks in Portugal, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
-Hugh Thomas emphasizes the importance of how the Nationalists handled their finances in explaining their victory in the war, especially in contrast to the Republicans, who ‘undertook a formidable expansion of the currency, and vast government spending’.
Limited/inconsistent support (military & economic) for Republicans- examples
-In September of 1936, Stalin started to support the Republicans, and by November 1936, there were approximately 500 Soviet advisors in Spain.
-The Soviets took the lead in the creation of the International Brigades, which grew to a force of 35,000, and was crucial in preventing Madrid from falling to the Nationalists in November 1937.
-However, Soviet aid had to be paid for by the Republic, no Soviet troops were sent to fight and the USSR only committed 1,000 aircraft and 750 tanks.
-Furthermore, Stalin began to reduce Soviet forces from June 1938. The USSR’s withdrawal fatally undermined the Republic’s ability to wage war.
-French support for the Republic was inconsistent, as French politics was also polarized and the government feared a revolt in France should it commit in Spain. France pursued non-intervention, dealing a fatal blow to the Republic.
Limited/inconsistent support (military & economic) for Republicans- explanation
-The Republic’s reliance on the Soviet Union polarized the politics of the Spanish Civil War, and associated the Republic with Soviet Communism.
-As the USSR provided the Republicans with so many different types of weaponry, acquiring the correct amenities was difficult, and this limited their use.
-Even if the Republicans had received more foreign military and economic support, they would not have been able to capitalize on this due to the lack of political unity.
