2.4.4 Foreign Intervention and Non-Intervention

• German and Italian equipment played a significant role in Franco's victory, as both countries used the Spanish Civil War as a testing ground for their military tactics and technology
• The Nationalists received nearly double as many aircraft from Germany and Italy as the Republicans did from Russia. In total, Franco received 1,300 aeroplanes, which played a vital role in sinking 115 Republican and 51 foreign merchant ships
• After the Soviet Union, Mexico sent the largest number of arms to the Republic. However, the Mexican arms industry was very small compared to Germany and Italy
• Franco's ability to obtain aid from Germany and Italy heightened his authority, allowing him to initiate the airlifts and win a series of early victories. General Mola, on the other hand, did not have this advantage, meaning that Franco became the undisputed leader of the Nationalists
• In return for Soviet aid, Spanish communists were given senior jobs in government, dividing the Republican movement. German and Italian aid came with fewer political consequences as they both allowed Franco to pursue his own political and military strategy
• Hitler and Mussolini allowed Franco to pay for their aid through long-term loans, so he paid very little for foreign help during the war. In contrast, Soviet aid was expensive, with Stalin demanding immediate payment of $500 million in gold, which was roughly 2/3rds of Spain's gold reserves
• While Hitler was reluctant to commit German troops, he sent military advisers and technicians. Mussolini, on the other hand, sent 75,000 volunteers to fight alongside Franco
• Around 60,000 foreign troops fought for the Republic in the International Brigades, but they often lacked the experience and equipment of the Nationalist forces
• In 1938, the Republican government asked the International Brigades to leave Spain in an attempt to negotiate an end to the conflict with Franco
• French Aid:

  1. Sent non-military aid, such as food and medicine
  2. Allowed the French Communist Party to organise voluntary aid for the republic
  3. Allowed Republicans to receive supplies over the French-Spanish border
• British Aid:

  1. Established naval patrols to stop supplies destined for Franco from reaching Spain
  2. Negotiated a deal with Italy in 1937 which halted Italian submarine attacks on the Republican navy
• The British and French governments adopted policies that suited their national interests. Greater intervention by France would have caused issues, as many French people believed Franco was fighting against godless communists and Britain aimed to delay a broader European war