How was the Spanish Civil War significant to the Nazi army prior to World War II?
Sale of German weapons to Spain allowed Germany to emerge from the Great Depression and make internal military improvements that it would use during World War II.
The Nazi army’s participation in Spain provided it with a training ground that improved its combat proficiency with new technology.
The success of the Spanish loyalists provided the Nazi army with an ally for fighting France during World War II.
The Spanish Civil War diverted European powers’ attention from Hitler’s expansionist desires in Western Europe.
The Nazi army’s participation in Spain provided it with a training ground that improved its combat proficiency with new technology.
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The correct answer is: The Nazi army’s participation in Spain provided it with a training ground that improved its combat proficiency with new technology.
During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany supported General Francisco Franco's Nationalist forces against the Republican government. The Nazis sent volunteers, known as the Condor Legion, to assist Franco's troops. This military intervention by Nazi Germany had several significant outcomes for the Nazi army:
1. Combat Experience and Training: The Spanish Civil War provided an opportunity for the Nazi army to gain combat experience and test new military strategies and technologies. It allowed the German soldiers to experiment with tactics, weaponry, and air warfare. This firsthand experience was crucial in preparing the Nazi army for the upcoming World War II.
2. Technological Advancements: The Spanish Civil War allowed Germany to test and refine cutting-edge military hardware. For example, the Luftwaffe (German air force) used the conflict to test and develop new aerial warfare tactics. They also employed the use of dive bombers and aerial bombardments, which would later be utilized extensively during World War II.
3. Cooperation with Italian Fascists: Italy, under the leadership of Benito Mussolini, also sent troops to support Franco. This allowed for collaboration between the Nazi and Fascist forces, fostering a closer relationship and paving the way for future cooperation and coordination during World War II.
It is important to note that while the Spanish Civil War did distract some European powers from Hitler's expansionist desires, it did not directly provide the Nazi army with an ally for fighting France during World War II. The war did contribute to the overall build-up of German military capabilities, which later influenced the course of World War II.