Why Did Hitler Fail to Persuade Spain to Join World War II?

World War II was a global conflict that saw the participation of many nations, including major powers like Nazi Germany seeking to expand their influence. However, the opportunity for Hitler to draw Spain into the war was largely missed. This article delves into the reasons behind why Spain, after experiencing a vicious civil war, ultimately chose to stay neutral.

Leaders of the Nationalist Uprising

The Nationalist leaders of the 1936–1939 Spanish Civil War were Jose Sanjurjo and Emilio Mola. These men were central to the rebellion but their ideologies and actions changed during the course of the civil war.

Initial Goals and Ideologies

At the outset, the rebellion seemed to lack a clear ideological groundwork. Sanjurjo and Mola aimed to create a pseudo-dictatorship, similar to Portugal or Italy, to unify Spain and combat the divisive elements within the country.

Alignment with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy

Despite their initial goals, the brutal nature of the civil war led the Nationalists to align more closely with the ideologies of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. Many Nationalists, including Sanjurjo and Mola, came to espouse deeply conservative visions, including the restoration of the Catholic Church's power and centralization of the government. Germany and Italy provided extensive military support to the Nationalists.

The Impact of Sanjurjo and Mola's Deaths

The death of Sanjurjo and Mola in 1936 and 1937, respectively, had a significant impact on the Nationalist cause. Both were some of the most capable leaders and their fall left a leadership vacuum. This moment led to the rise of General Francisco Franco, whose generalship and ideology were vastly different from those of Sanjurjo and Mola.

General Francisco Franco

Unlike Sanjurjo and Mola, Franco lacked a specific ideological alignment. Franco initially proposed serving the Republican cause if needed, which contributed to the Spanish government missing an opportunity to recruit a wavering General. Franco later committed to the Nationalist cause but his approach was more pragmatic and less ideological.

By the time the civil war ended in 1939, Spain was exhausted and had no appetite for another war of the magnitude World War II would have entailed. Franco recognized the debt owed to Germany and Italy for securing the Nationalist victory, but also understood the limitations Spain could impose.

Consequently, Franco proposed a set of conditions for participating in the war. He stipulated that if Nazi Germany only fought the Soviet Union, then Spain would join. When the Axis began its two-front war strategy, including the attack on Pearl Harbor and subsequent entry of the United States into the conflict, Franco realized the folly of such a strategy for Spain. By 1941, the Axis was doomed, and Spain preferred to avoid becoming deeply entangled in a global conflict.

Conclusion

While the deaths of Sanjurjo and Mola might have been viewed as a positive outcome for Spain, it also underscored the complexity of the situation. If Spain had aligned with the Axis powers under their leadership, the country might have faced further disaster. Franco’s pragmatic approach and awareness of Spain's limitations were ultimately beneficial for the nation's future.