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Strengths And Weaknesses Of The Spanish Civil War

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The twentieth century saw more proxy wars than any time in human history; great powers would flex their martial muscles in smaller theatres of conflict in order to test their own strengths and weaknesses without risking their international reputation as an aggressive nation. The Spanish Civil War served as a significant proxy for the totalitarian European powers in the interwar period; Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany would support the right-wing nationalists while the Soviet Union and various International Brigades would back the alliance of the Republican government and Anarcho-communist organizations. Spain would serve as a testing ground for the armed forces of the European totalitarian states in which major military and ideological support would be given to the Spanish belligerents. In spite of initial setbacks in the initial military coup, Francisco Franco would eventually crush the Republican-Anarchist opposition and maintain authoritarian control of Spain for decades. His success was due in large part to the interests of Hitler and Mussolini in creating a friendly state in the Iberian Peninsula. Through contributions of manpower, military advisors and materiel from the Nazis and Fascists, Nationalist Spain was able to take advantage of the less-organized and squabbling Republican government forces. La Guerra Civil was the culmination of a century of turmoil in Spain. The Spanish monarchy would be abolished in 18XX, with its Savoyard King famously declaring the

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