The Motives of the Powers in Spain

Abstract

The peninsula of Spain which is flanked by the Canary Islands on the west and the Balearic Islands on the east, commands sea routes passing both through the Atlantic ocean and the Mediterranean sea. In the north, Spain forms an undefended frontier of France, while in the south Spanish Morocco dominates the south side of the Straits of Gibraltar through which passes most of the traffic to Italy, India and the Middle and Far East. This geographical position gives Spain a strategic importance which is quite out of proportion to her internal strength. The civil war was therefore destined to have many repercussions beyond the borders of Spain. For two and a half years this conflagration on the Spanish peninsula threatened the peace of Europe because the strategic, political, economic and religious interests of the European nations were closely involved in the conflict.

“The foreign policy of a great power is one of opportunism dominated by a desire to seek the line of least resistance ¹).”