Spanish Civil War Flashcards
1
Q
Describe the aims of Italy in the Spanish Civil War, 1936 (8)
A
- to stop French, left wing influence in Spain
- To demonstrate Italy’s military strength
- to help spread Fascism and establish Mussolini as the leader of Fascism
- To fight against decadent democracy and socialism
- Mussolini had just experience his most popular period and he wanted to stay in the limelight and continue to strive for GPS for Italy
- Wanted to stand shoulder to shoulder with Hitler, as he had become overambitious after the Abyssinian victory
- It would provide opportunities for Italian naval bases in the Mediterranean and aid them to cultivate an ally in a strategic area
- To contain communism. Mussolini was worried if communism was successful in Spain it could spread to France; Italy’s next door neighbour
2
Q
What were the successes of the Spanish Civil War, 1936? (8)
A
- Italy emerged on the winning side in 1939 (the nationalists in Spain won)
- Fascism was expanded across Europe
- The Spanish Civil War provided Italy with the opportunity to gauge Britain and France’s reactions to Italy intervening in another country and attacking them
- Intervening alongside Germany helped to draw Italy into closer relations with that power
- Franco was in Italy’s debt and thereafter Spain supported them in future conflicts
- Italy had the largest single contribution to the war effort
- The war provided Italy with the chance to show off its military power as they sent 75,000 men to aid
- Italian submarines began to sink French and British ships in 1936-37
3
Q
Describe Italy’s failures in the Spanish Civil War (8)
A
- Ensured that Mussolini couldn’t join WW2 until 1940
- Disrupted Italian trade and reinforced the trend of increasing trade with Germany
- The war “bled Italy white” as Mussolini put it. It cost Italy 14 billion lire and required special levies. The lira was also devalued
- Italy lost half its foreign currency reserves
- Made The government unpopular, apart from the church
- prevented Italy consolidating its strength after Abyssinian conflict and they used up much needed weapons and ammunition after the war
- The humiliation at Guadalajara exposed Italian weakness and they gained very little of real value except Spanish neutrality towards Italy
- The war made Hitler the undisputed leader of Fascism
