1 Jan 1936 Jahr - Spanish Civil War (Appeasement (HFP))

Beschreibung:

Background info:
- The Spanish Civil War started in 1936 between the supporters of the left-wing government (Republic), and the right-wing government (Nationalists, under General Franco). In 1936, the army forcibly removed the republics from power, causing a civil war. The Republicans consisted of workers and socialists. The nationalists consisted of land owners, monarchists, and the army. The USSR (and mainly Stalin) supported the left-wing republicans (since the left wing is closer to communist views), and this led to thousands of volunteers from around 50 countries within the USSR to help via aircraft and weapons. At the same time, Hitler and Italy declared their support for the right-wing side, because General Franco had similar views to them. Britain and France did not want to involve themselves to prevent bigger European tension, but were on the republic side and sent some troops.

What did Germany do to contribute to the Spanish Civil War?

- At first, just airplanes and pilots
- Transported 15,000 troops from Morocco to Spain
- Started carpet bombing (this helped gain experience for German soldiers, and made Germany look scary)
- Sent 4 tank companies
- 19,000 German soldiers served in the Spanish Civil War in total

Why did Germany get involved?

- Hitler wanted to prevent Spain from turning communist, and this then helped him secretly rearms by distracting Britain and France
- Good relations between Germany and Spain were advantageous to Germany since this meant Germany could have Spanish resources and possibly bases for German submarines
- Mussolini and Germany both wanted more military experience
- Wanted better relations with Italy to make it easier to take over Austria (Hitler had tried to take Austria before but was stopped by Mussolini, having this alliance would make it much easier)
- Hitler wanted to try and build his relations with Italy to possibly remove it from the Stresa pact

What did Hitler gain from this?

- Made the invasion of Austria easier since Italy and Germany were now on better terms
- Tested his weapons and forces
- saw the likelihood of appeasement between Britain and France since he was not stopped throughout all of this even though he was on their opposing side
- saw the inaction of the LON
- gave him confidence

How did this lead to the Second World War?

- Made Hitler more aggressive, and destroyed any trust between France and Russia (mutual assistance pact!!) because Russia saw how France and Britain did nothing to stop Hitler throughout his actions in the Civil War

- within the same year (1936), Japan and Germany made a pact called the Anti-Commintern Pact. Italy later joined as well. This pact was to signify that Japan, Germany, and Italy were on the same side; and this pact was aimed at stopping the spread of communism.

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