The Spanish Civil War (1936-39)

Question 1

When did the Spanish Civil War begin?

Answer 1

1936 - the same year as the remilitarisation of the Rhineland

Question 2

What were the two sides in the civil war?

Answer 2

The Republican Government and the Nationalists

Question 3

Who supported the Republicans?

Answer 3

Those on the political Left:
- Stalin’s USSR
- volunteers from around the world (including Ernest Hemingway and George Orwell)

Question 4

Who led the Nationalists?

Answer 4

General Franco - a fascist

Question 5

Who supported the Franco’s Nationalists?

Answer 5

Hitler and Mussolini - they believe Franco shared their worldview

Question 6

What did Britain, France, Germany and Italy all agree?

Answer 6

That they wouldn’t intervene (although Germany and Italy blatantly did - and France did lend some support)

Question 7

In what ways did Italy intervene?

Answer 7

Mussolini sent thousands of Italian troops (officially ‘volunteers’)

Question 8

What did Germany send to support Franco?

Answer 8

Aircraft and pilots - who took part in most of the major bombing campaigns during the war

Question 9

What was Guernica?

Answer 9

A small Spanish market town

Question 10

Why was Guernica significant?

Answer 10

It was a civilian town - ruthlessly bombed by German planes in 1937

Question 11

When was Guernica bombed?

Answer 11

April 1937

Question 12

Who painted a famous painting to commemorate the suffering of Guernica?

Answer 12

Pablo Picasso

Question 13

What were the consequences of the Spanish Civil War for Mussolini and Hitler?

Answer 13

Their bond was strengthened

Question 14

What did Hitler believe after the Spanish Civil War about Britain and France?

Answer 14

That Britain and France would take no action if he broke the terms of the ToV

Question 15

What did Britain start doing as a result of the Spanish Civil War?

Answer 15

Rearming more aggressively. The British PM (Chamberlain) was alarmed by the strength of Germany’s armed forces

Question 16

Why were Stalin and the USSR concerned after the Spanish Civil War?

Answer 16

They were concerned by Britain and France’s lack of action.

Stalin started to think about alternative arrangements to keep his country safe. (See: Nazi Soviet Pact)

Question 17

What was the outcome of the Spanish Civil War?

Answer 17

Franco won (and indeed stayed in power until 1975)

Question 18

When did the Spanish Civil War end?

Answer 18

1939

Question 19

What did Hitler hope to achieve from the Spanish Civil War in respect to his navy?

Answer 19

If Franco won, Hitler hoped:
- Spain would become a German ally
- She would allow Germany to use her ports

Question 20

After the civil war, did Spain become a German ally and allow the use of her ports?

Answer 20

No

In fact, Spain remained neutral during WWII (much to the chagrin of Hitler)

Question 21

What did the Spanish Civil War provide the German Luftwaffe?

Answer 21

A chance to practise its dive-bombing techniques (e.g. on Guernica)

Question 22

Some people think Hitler wanted the Spanish Civil War to be a smoke screen. What do you think this means?

Answer 22

That it would be distraction from what Hitler was doing in the rest of Europe

Question 23

Did the Spanish Civil War provide a smokescreen?

Answer 23

Yes, mostly - between 1936 and 1939 Hitler was able to unite with Austria and take action over Czechoslovakia