Anschluss recap & Spanish civil war

• Spanish Civil War

  Civil war in Spain in 1936 between the Nationals (right wing rebels) under general Franco and the Republicans (left-wing, socialist government)
• Supporters of the Republican government

  • Stalin's USSR (sent weapons, aircraft and pilots)
  • International brigade (made up of volunteers from around 50 countries)
• Supporters of General Franco

  • Hitler and Mussolini (held similar right-wing views)
• German and Italian involvement

  1. Mussolini sent thousands of Italian troops

  2. Germany sent aircraft and pilots involved in bombing raids on civilian populations
• Significance of the Spanish Civil War


  • Increased the bonds between Hitler and Mussolini
  • Made Britain and France unlikely to take actions if Hitler broke the Treaty of Versailles
  • Made Stalin suspicious of Britain and France because of their reticence to fight against fascism in Europe
  • Frightened Chamberlain who increased military spending in Britain especially on the Air Force
• Hitler saw the Spanish Civil War as an opportunity to test his new Luftwaffe and develop Blitzkrieg tactics
• Greater Germany


  Concept of unifying all German-speaking people under one nation
• Hitler believed in the concept of a Greater Germany


  He wanted to take over Austria to expand Germany's Lebensraum and gain political influence
• German takeover of Austria in 1934

  • Austrian government and military put up strong resistance, determined to preserve Austria's independence
  • Countries like Italy and France expressed opposition to the German occupation of Austria
• The German takeover of Austria in 1934 failed due to a combination of factors
• Anschluss

  • Hitler's aggression and desire to unite all German-speaking territories under one nation
  • Hitler's willingness to use force to achieve his goals
  • Hitler's ability to manipulate public opinion and exploit political instability
• Britain expressed opposition to the German occupation of Austria


  Britain and other countries were dealing with their own domestic issues and concerns, and they may not have taken immediate action to prevent Hitler's aggression
• There were various factors at play, such as the desire to avoid another war and the belief that appeasement would prevent further conflict