The Spanish Civil War 1936-39
- A republic is formed after King abdicates in 1931
- Gov’t formed from left wing, communists, socialists, and anarchists (Republicans)
- Right wing opposition to gov’t supported by: Church, army, and Falange (Fascist group) led by General Francisco Franco (Nationalists)
Fascist, Democratic and Communist Support for the Spanish Civil War
- Essentially pits fascism against democracy and communism (World War II)
- Italy and Germany support Nationalists with troops and equipment
- Germans try out new tactics such as Blitzkrieg and the luftwaffe bombing of cities (Guernica)
- Britain, France declare to be non-interventionist (many citizens fight in International Brigades)
- USSR even supported a Republican government
The civil war was essentially a way for the fascists to try out their new war tactics such as aerial bombardment.