Hitler’s Expansionist Policy (Involvement In the Spanish Civil War)

German Involvement in the Spanish Civil War (1937)

• Clear now that Britain and France were eager to avoid conflict.
• Spanish Civil War broke out when right-wing nationalist rebels took part in a military coup against the Republican rule which was supported by communists & left-wing groups.
• Hitler sent soldiers, equipment & warplanes to support Spanish Nationalist forces, fighting against Communist forces.
• German planes made devastating raids on several Spanish cities, resulting in heavy civilian casualties.
• Designed to avert divert the attention of British & French from Hitler’s expansion plans into Eastern Europe.
• Allowed him to test his army and air force whilst fighting against communists.
• Encouraged Italy’s involvement in Spain.
• League of Nations took no action as Hitler expected.
• He pointed out to Britain & France the dangers of communist presence in western Europe which resonated their fear and disdain of communism.
• Hitler also continued to portray himself as the defender of civilisation against communism.
• He signed the Anti-Comintern (Communist International) Pact with Japan in 1936.
• It added perception that the Western powers could trust Hitler so British and French intervention in Spain was even more remote.
• Hitler saw Britain & France as weak, which in turn made him became more aggressive.