How did Spain remain neutral during WWII when other countries could not?

Question

OlderAndWiser · Answer

Ireland and Switzerland remained neutral.

msc545 · Answer

Spain occupied an extremely important strategic position because it bordered Gibraltar, which Britain controlled.

Taking Gibraltar would have given Germany a significant advantage in controlling access to the Mediterranean.

In October 1940, Hitler met Franco at Hendaye, on the French-Spanish border, to discuss Spain's possible entry into the war.

Franco wanted substantial economic assistance and territorial concessions in French North Africa. Hitler was unwilling to satisfy these demands, partly because doing so would jeopardize Germany's relationship with Vichy France.

The negotiations failed.

Importantly, historian Paul Preston challenges the familiar account that Franco heroically defied Hitler. The historical evidence suggests that Franco was interested in joining the Axis under sufficiently favorable conditions.

Britain and the United States had powerful economic leverage
This was probably one of the most important factors.

Spain depended heavily on imported petroleum, grain, and other essential materials. Britain controlled important maritime access, and the United States could supply or withhold critical resources.

The Allies used economic pressure, including restrictions on oil shipments, to discourage Spanish participation in the war.

An economic history study concluded that the August 1940 oil embargo was particularly effective in discouraging Spain from joining the Axis.

Franco therefore faced a serious problem: Germany might promise territorial expansion, but the Allies could make it extremely difficult for Spain to feed its population and operate its economy.

Although Spain never formally entered World War II, Franco provided substantial assistance to Germany.

Spain sent the Blue Division, consisting of Spanish volunteers, to fight alongside German forces against the Soviet Union.
German intelligence agents operated in Spain.
German submarines secretly received supplies in Spanish ports early in the war.
Spain exported tungsten-bearing ore, essential to German military manufacturing.
In other words, Spain maintained a position of non-belligerency that often favored Germany, rather than consistently observing strict impartiality.

Only as Germany's military fortunes deteriorated did Franco move toward a more conventional neutrality.

Unlike Poland or Belgium, Spain was not directly in the path of Germany's principal military offensives.

Germany could invade Spain through occupied France, but the operation would have involved considerable logistical difficulties, especially if Spanish forces resisted.

Spain's mountainous terrain, damaged transportation infrastructure, and poor economic condition made an invasion potentially expensive.

Furthermore, Hitler had other priorities, particularly the invasion of the Soviet Union beginning in June 1941.

Germany ultimately did not consider occupying Spain sufficiently advantageous to justify the costs.

Franco adjusted his position as the war changed
Franco's policies evolved with the military situation.

In 1940, when Germany appeared almost invincible, Spain moved closer to the Axis.

By 1943, after German defeats at Stalingrad and in North Africa, the situation looked very different.

Franco recognized the growing likelihood of an Allied victory and increasingly distanced himself from Hitler. Spain formally returned to a policy of neutrality in October 1943.

MerakSahibi · Answer

It had just emerged from a long civil war; the people were poor and the army exhausted. It is true that Franco came to power with the support of the fascists, but it is also true that Khomeini came to power with the support of the socialists.

Unlike the duo of Mussolini and Hitler, Franco was a Catholic and a monarchist. He saw himself more as a restorer in-between. Indeed, he raised the king's son just like an heir and, upon his death, handed over power to him.

Of course, Franco's wish was not a system that would transition to democracy afterward either!!!

How is Franco viewed in Spain?

OneViewpoint · Answer

Spain was coming off a Civil War that left the country devasted with 500 million dead in 1939, just before WWII began. Franco, the Spanish general who ascended to power in the aftermath, was not interested in more war. The Spanish military was devastated, weary, ill equipped, and not a threat to anyone. The UK and US used economic embargoes and oil quotas to keep Franco from going full Fascist. Spain was basically left alone and happy about that.

Franco was generally a disaster for Spain and in his decline / aftermath, Spain prospered in the 60's and 70's. They allowed US bases on Spanish soil after WWII. I lived on one of them as a kid,

DryGermanGuy · Answer

They weren't exactly neutral-neutral (Switzerland was). The Spanish fascists employed the help of German fascists to win the civil war (Condor Legion). Later, Spain returned the favor by sending 50.000 Spanish soldiers to fight in Russia (the Blue Division).

AviatorTom · Answer

The Nazis helped Spain in its Revolutionary Coup in the 1930s, and Spain had to worry about the British using Gibraltar as an invasion point. Spain's best position was to remain neutral, and feed information and supplies to both sides, similar to what Switzerland did.

Remember that being neutral simply means no military engagement with either side. It doesn't mean you can't help both sides, which is what many neutral countries in a conflict do.

slatyb · Answer

They were in Hitler´s pocket. He supported the fascist takeover of Spain which continued Franco's death in 1975.

4ngelic · Answer

I don't think they were neutral exactly, they had a massive bloody civil war with one side sponsored by the nazis & mussolini, and the other by the USSR.

Bricealan · Answer

@kelly6 can only assume that Spain did not have anything that Hitler wanted, (natural resources, technology, military machines etc? I don't really know?

FreyaRed · Answer

Some countries didn't have the luxury to remain neutral.

BlackFalcon03 · Answer

Wasn't truly neutral. 50,000 Spainish troops fought for the nazis. It could be argued that the spainish civil war 1936-39 was the start of WW2.

MrChinaski · Answer

Spain was exhausted after its Civil War. I assume. The sudden collapse of France and Hitler's interest in Russia made it geographically strategically unimportant, other than @msc545 comments on Gibraltar.

Sevenpointfive · Answer

i have no clue what ww2 was about. if anyone can tell me it wasn't only about the holocaust then please do.

TonyMetal___1986 · Answer

If spain doesn't wake up, it's going to become a Muslim country, they are playing it wrong this time...

DarKnight36 · Answer

This is a very long story; many strategies were implemented in Spain during the administration of Francisco, and there are extensive articles on the subject.

genericname85 · Answer

Switzerland did as well. and they were right next to germany unlike spain.

CubaPirate · Answer

I recently heard they were Nazi sympathises though is that true

Elliegirl · Answer

Geography may have been a factor

_Jenny_ · Answer

I’m not sure @kelly6

Paige2006 · Answer

Good question

robocop666 · Answer

they offered to join I thought?

How did Spain remain neutral during WWII when other countries could not?

What Girls & Guys Said

Have people forgotten that Spain was once one of the greatest powers in history?

How did Spain remain neutral during WWII when other countries could not?

What Girls & Guys Said

Have people forgotten that Spain was once one of the greatest powers in history?

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