Did you know that Spain was in a civil war right around the time World War II began? In fact, it was the biggest conflict Europe had experienced since the First World War.
It started in 1936 when the “nationalists” led by Francisco Franco and Emilio Mola (names to remember), rebelled against the republic of Spain, and tried to overthrow the government. The conflict lasted 3 years and the rebels ended up winning, so Francisco Franco took all the power and became the dictator of Spain until he died in 1975.
Some key facts to remember:
– Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy helped Franco and his team (the nationalists) by giving them resources and weapons.
– The Soviet Union helped the republicans as well.
– All these countries agreed not to interfere, but they broke their promise and did it anyway.
– A lot of republicans left the country, some of them ended up in France seeking shelter, but when the Nazis took over France during the war, these Spanish people were also sent to camps.
This is one of the biggest events of the last century, so it’s important that you know the basics.
Have fun learning!
