Spain in World War II: Neutrality, Economy, and Society

Spain During World War II

In October 1940, Hitler and Franco met in the French city of Hendaye. In exchange for entering the war in support of the Axis Powers, Franco asked Hitler to grant Spain control of Gibraltar and France's North African colonies. However, Hitler did not accept these conditions. Consequently, Spain remained neutral throughout the Second World War. This decision allowed Franco to concentrate on domestic challenges:

• Economic crisis
• Demographic crisis
• Political opposition: Although the Civil War had ended, Spanish society remained divided between supporters of Franco's regime and those who had fought against the Nationalists.

Although Spain did not formally join the Axis powers, Franco supported Nazi Germany by sending volunteer troops, known as the Blue Division, to fight against the Soviet Union on the Eastern Front. In 1943, the Blue Division withdrew from the conflict, and Spain remained neutral for the remainder of the war.

The Wartime Economy

• Manufacturing: Industries focused on producing military vehicles, including aircraft and helicopters.
• Resource Extraction: Mines and foundries increased the production of coal, iron, and nickel to supply raw materials.
• Energy: The extraction and refining of oil increased to fuel industry and military vehicles.

The dedication of resources to the war effort negatively impacted the economy. The production of consumer goods decreased, and prices rose significantly. Civilians suffered from shortages, leading to the introduction of rationing systems for basic products like bread, flour, and cooking oil. As in the First World War, a profitable black market emerged for consumer goods.

Key Definitions

• Genocide: The systematic extermination of people based on nationality, ethnic background, culture, or religion. During the Second World War, the Nazis engineered the genocide of the Jewish population in Germany and occupied territories.
• National Self-Determination: The right of inhabitants in a geographical area to choose their own political system and government.

Abstract Art

Abstract art was an avant-garde style that influenced painting and sculpture during the second half of the 20th century. Originating in Europe after the Second World War, it eventually spread to the United States. One of the most famous abstract painters was Kandinsky.

Characteristics of Abstract Art

• Artists believed that art should speak its own language rather than depicting real scenes or objects.
• Paintings were composed of colors and shapes, functioning as a simple combination of visual elements.
• Notable artists include Mondrian and Pollock.