Spanish Civil War and WWII: Key Figures and Events

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Key Figures and Events of the Spanish Civil War

Popular Front: The name of the electoral coalitions that expressed a Marxist-Leninist and anti-fascist sensitivity, founded in 1930.

CEDA: Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Rights, an alliance of right-wing Catholic political parties founded in 1933.

Battle of the Ebro: The largest of all those fought in the Spanish Civil War, it took place in the channel beneath the valley of the Ebro and in the east of Zaragoza over five months in 1938.

Nombela Subject: A scandal of embezzlement of public funds denounced by Antonio Nombela, inspector of colonies, which accused the Radical Party.

Straperlo: A name derived from Strauss and Perel, entrepreneurs who tried to introduce rigged roulette casinos into Spain, bribing members of the Radical Party.

Largo Caballero: A Spanish politician and trade unionist, a historical Marxist leader of the Spanish Socialist Workers Party and the General Union of Workers. During the Second Spanish Republic, he was Minister of Labor and Prime Minister.

Condor Legion: The name given to the air intervention force that Nazi Germany sent to aid General Franco's forces in the Spanish Civil War.

Opus Dei: An institution of the Catholic Church dedicated to spreading the message that all are called to holiness, each in their work.

IRI: Institute for Industrial Reconstruction, an Italian public body responsible for channeling state investment in strategic sectors of industry.

Zamora Nicolás: Chairman of the provisional government after the resignation of Alfonso XIII. He opposed Primo de Rivera and the Pact of San Sebastián.

Manuel Azaña: Founder of the Republican Action Party and promoter of the Pact of San Sebastian. Between 1931 and 1933, he was president of the coalition government of Republicans and Socialists.

Spain and the Impact of World War II

A few months after the end of the Spanish Civil War, World War II began. Good relations were maintained between Madrid and Berlin, and in 1940, Hitler and Franco met at Hendaye to discuss the role of Spain in the war. The meeting was a failure. A secret protocol was signed by which Spain agreed to enter the war without giving a specific date. Hitler was disappointed, considering Franco's demands excessive.

Shortly after, Franco and Mussolini met in Italy to probe again the entry of Spain into the war. Franco insisted on their colonial claims, and no deal was reached. In June 1941, Spain changed its neutral status to non-belligerent, giving logistical support to German ships, submarines, and planes.

The invasion of the USSR in 1941 was celebrated in Spain as the end of Bolshevism. The government decided to send a detachment of volunteers to fight communism. It was the Blue Division, composed of volunteer Falangists.

The victory of the Allies forced the leader to change his speech and to conceal the fascist traits of his policy. Franco held as a personal merit his ability to withstand the pressures of the Axis. The international situation forced Franco to change his government. He tried to give a picture closer to Western democracies and abolished by decree the raised arm salute and the use of the blue shirt. Spain was isolated, without friends, except Portugal and Argentina. The Cold War was a great help to Franco, as the U.S. saw in Spain a staunch anti-communist ally. Against all odds, the Franco regime survived World War II.

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