The Spanish Civil War was characterised both by the external military intervention of the dictatorial powers and the conspicuous non-intervention of the western democracies.
For Hitler, the conflict proved a training ground for the German air force, not least in the aerial terror attacks against civilian populations.
For Mussolini, intervention was intended to create a grateful client state but achieved the opposite as Franco asserted Spanish independence and neutrality.
For the Soviets, intervention was a chance to burnish Stalin’s anti - Fascist credentials as well as an opportunity to extend the Moscow show trials by executing Trotskyists.
The British and French preferred non-intervention, though that did not stop the International Brigades recruiting from both countries. Despite foreign participation Franco emerged by 1939 as the war’s unambiguous victor.
This lecture is part of the 'From Versailles to Potsdam: Diplomacy and Conflict in Europe 1919-1945' lecture series, taking place on Fridays from the 17th of October to the 21st of November. You may either register for individual lectures or the entire lecture series at a reduced price.
Please note: this lecture will close to enrolments at 23:59 on 21 October 2025.