Spanish Civil War (1936-39) Flashcards
dates?
July 1936 to April 1939
What was the SCW?
A conflict in which the Spanish Rep Govt & LW groups fought against a RW nationalist rebellion led by Franco.
What did Antonio Machado characterise the divisions in Spain as?
“the 2 Spains”
The Republicans
- ranged from centrists to advocates of communism/ anarchism
- power base: urban & secular
- strong in Catalonia & the Basque County
The Nationalist Rebels
- Supporters: rural, rich conservatives
- mostly Catholic
- favoured the centralisation of power
Number of casualties?
500k-1M
What were many of the casualties the result of?
Not military fighting but mass brutal executions perpetrated by both sides.
How did the SCW start?
With military uprisings throughout Spain followed by Rep reprisals against the Church (allies of the rebels)
Which group in society faced potential massacres?
Catholic clergy (both regular and secular)
How many bishops were murdered?
12
How many priests were murdered?
over 4000
How did Franco retaliate to the massacres committed by the Reps?
Initiated a cleansing of anything “red” or related to the SRG, including TUs and PPs.
What was the SCW a training ground for?
AH’s new toys ;)
What was the B govt’s stance?
officially neutral
Although officially neutral, what did the B govt maintain?
-an arms embargo on Spain
What did the B govt discourage?
The anti-Fascist participation of its citizens.
What did the SRG hope would happen w/ start of WW2?
That the European powers would finally help them. Did NOT happen :(
What did BM and AH do?
They violated the embargo and sent troops, aircraft and weapons to help Franco.
How many troops did BM send to Spain?
60k troops
What was a consequence of the arms embargo?
SRG could only receive aid from USSR, which was:
1) 1000s of miles away
2) in economic disarray itself
Why were BM’s troops essentially “volunteers”?
Italy never declared war on SRG.
What did a poster of the SRG urge Spaniards to do?
“Rise up against the Italian invasion of Spain!”
What did Italy give Spain?
1) 4 destroyers
2) 2 submarines
3) 4 motor torpedo boats
Which factor contributed the most to the development of the Axis?
Italian’s involvement in SCW
B & F’s reaction to Abyssinia had already undermined the SF
What were the direct results of SCW?
1) Speed w/ which BM abandoned the defence of Austrian independence.
2) BM’s acceptance of the destruction of Czechoslovakia.
3) The Pact of Steel.
International reasons why BM intervened in SCW…
1) To stop French LW influence in Spain.
2) To cultivate an ally in a strategic area.
3) To establish greater Italian influence in the Med.
4) To demonstrate Italy’s might to the world.`
Ideological reasons why BM intervened in SCW…
1) To fight against decadent democracy & Socialism.
2) To help spread Fascism.
Domestic reasons why BM intervened in SCW…
1) To maintain the momentum for fascistisation at home.
General reasons why BM intervened in SCW…
1) To stay in the limelight.
2) To have another war.
3) He had become overambitious after the Abyssinian victory.
BM considered the conflict to be over…
… very quickly.
Whose decision was it for Italy to intervene in SCW?
BM’s; few others favoured it, given the potential costs & little anticipated gains.
What did BM say the SCW did to the Italian economy?
“Bled Italy white”
How much did Italy’s involvement in SCW cost?
14 B lire (1/2 a year’s tax revenue) & required special levies.
What happened to the lire after SCW?
It was devalued.
What economic consequences did SCW have on Italy?
1) Disrupted Italian trade & reinforced the trend of increasing trade with Germany.
How much of her foreign currency reserves did Italy lose due to the SCW?
1/2
What were the domestic repercussions of the SCW?
Made the govt unpopular (apart from with the CC)
Where were Italian military weaknesses exposed?
Guadalajara
What were the military repercussions of Italian involvement in SCW?
:)
1) Italy were on winning side- claimed a great victory.
:(
1) Prevented Italy from consolidating its strength after the Abyssinian conflict.
2) Used up much needed weapons and ammo.
3) Italy’s military strength was less in 1939 than in 1936; it was unprepared for WW2 in ‘39.
4) Humiliated at Guadalajara; Italian weaknesses were exposed.
What were the POSITIVE international repercussions of Italian involvement in SCW?
:)
1) Italy gained a potential supporter in a strategic position, facing F & B.
2) Helped establish another Fascist regime.
What were the NEGATIVE international repercussions of Italian involvement in SCW?
:(
1) Italy gained little of real value; just Spanish neutrality.
2) Diverted Italian attention from the German threat to Austria.
3) Increased Italy’s links with NG.
4) It reinforced Italy’s quarrel with B & F (but they still wanted her friendship)
What happened at Guadalajara?
Italians defeated by international brigades.
MARCH 1937
