Why did Mussolini and Hitler support Franco in Spain?
History · Middle School · Tue Nov 03 2020
Answered on
Mussolini and Hitler supported General Francisco Franco during the Spanish Civil War for several reasons that were aligned with their political, ideological, and strategic interests.
1. Ideological Similarity: Both Mussolini's Italy and Hitler's Germany were fascist states that sought to support and spread their far-right authoritarian ideology. Franco's Nationalist faction in Spain was fighting against the Republican government, which included communists and socialists, groups inherently opposed to fascism. By supporting Franco, Mussolini and Hitler aimed to prevent a leftist government from coming to power in Spain.
2. Anti-Communist Stance: The conflict between Franco's Nationalists and the Republic was seen as part of a wider struggle between fascism and communism. As staunch anti communists, Mussolini and Hitler feared the spread of communism in Europe and saw the Spanish Civil War as an opportunity to stamp out communist influence near their borders.
3. Strategic Position: Spain's geographic location was strategically significant.
Controlling Spain could afford Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy a better position in the Western Mediterranean and potentially influence the outcome of future conflicts in Europe.
4. Testing Ground for Military Tactics and Technology: The Spanish Civil War provided an opportunity for Germany and Italy to test their new military tactics and technology in a live conflict without being directly involved in a world war. The infamous bombing of Guernica by the German Luftwaffe's Condor Legion demonstrated the destructive power of aerial bombardment on civilian populations.
5. Diplomatic Influence: By assisting Franco, both Mussolini and Hitler aimed to secure an ally in Spain. Having a friendly fascist government would enhance their diplomatic influence and potentially create an axis of aligned nations across Europe.
Franco benefited greatly from the support of both Italy and Germany, receiving soldiers, weapons, and military expertise that helped turn the tide in his favor during the Spanish Civil War.