The Spanish Civil War (1936-39) Flashcards

1
Q

When did the Spanish Civil War begin?

A

1936 - the same year as the remilitarisation of the Rhineland

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2
Q

What were the two sides in the civil war?

A

The Republican Government and the Nationalists

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3
Q

Who supported the Republicans?

A

Those on the political Left:

  • Stalin’s USSR
  • volunteers from around the world (including Ernest Hemingway and George Orwell)
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4
Q

Who led the Nationalists?

A

General Franco - a fascist

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5
Q

Who supported the Franco’s Nationalists?

A

Hitler and Mussolini - they believe Franco shared their worldview

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6
Q

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

A

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

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7
Q

In what ways did Italy intervene?

A

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

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8
Q

What did Germany send to support Franco?

A

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

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9
Q

What was Guernica?

A

A small Spanish market town

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10
Q

Why was Guernica significant?

A

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

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11
Q

When was Guernica bombed?

A

April 1937

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12
Q

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

A

Pablo Picasso

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13
Q

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

A

Their bond was strengthened

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14
Q

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

A

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

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15
Q

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

A

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

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16
Q

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

A

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)

17
Q

What was the outcome of the Spanish Civil War?

A

Franco won (and indeed stayed in power until 1975)

18
Q

When did the Spanish Civil War end?

A

1939

19
Q

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

A

If Franco won, Hitler hoped:

  • Spain would become a German ally
  • She would allow Germany to use her ports
20
Q

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

A

No

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

21
Q

What did the Spanish Civil War provide the German Luftwaffe?

A

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

22
Q

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

A

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

23
Q

Did the Spanish Civil War provide a smokescreen?

A

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