South America & The Spanish Civil War

Discussions on all aspects of the Spanish Civil War including the Condor Legion, the Germans fighting for Franco in the Spanish Civil War.
CGetty
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South America & The Spanish Civil War

#1

Post by CGetty » 31 Oct 2005, 11:58

I'm looking for information about the way the countries of South America reacted to the Spanish Civi War. I know that Mexico was fairly pro-Republican, and sold the government weapons. Conversely El Salvador and, I think, Guatamla, both recognised the Nationalists very soon after the start of the uprising.

Does anyone have information, or can recommend a website or book that deals with the subject?

Many thanks!

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Maribel-bel
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#2

Post by Maribel-bel » 06 Nov 2005, 01:19

There wasn't too much influence of Latin-American politics in the SCW. Many of the governments were military dictatorships with some simpathy for the rebels but without any significant activity. Most of the L-A countries "legally" sold few arms and other supplies to both sides since the Non-Intervention Agreement only concerned European countries. Most of the Latin-American embassies in Madrid and the consulates in other republican towns (Barcelona, València, Málaga...) hosted along the war many rightists or catholic refugees (although this was also done by most embassies and consulates from European countries too). On the other hand, about thousand volunteers from Latin-America also joined the Brigades (mostly Cubans, Argentinians, Brazilians, Chileans, and Mexicans). BTW, Mexico is not South-America but North-America.


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Loïc
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#3

Post by Loïc » 13 Nov 2005, 00:22

And Guatemala and El Salvador part of Central America :D
I can add that Paraguay too sold captured war material from the Chaco War to the Spanish Republicans.

mirko
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Peru and Spanish Civil War

#4

Post by mirko » 19 Dec 2005, 21:35

The Peru continued recognizing the republican regime until 1937. Nevertheless their cause was very umpopular among peruvian people. The regime of Marshall Oscar R. Benavides was conservative but not a fascist or corporative one.
As a very deeply catholic people the most part of the people rejected the communist revolution and the religious persecution.
The support of the Republica was of the "intelligentsia", leftist trade unions and socialist political parties( APRA) and the communist poet Cesar Vallejo.
Supporters of Franco were, for instance, don Jose de la Riva Aguero, a distinguished intellectual and don Victor Andres Belaunde a diplomatic and historian. Among many others. The whole Hierarchy of the Church, Catholic Action, ranged from higher to low classes.
The May 6 1937 the peruvian embassy in Madrid, which was plenty of refugees, was assaulted by agents of Direccion General de Seguridad that took the helpless refugees.
The peruvian government protested by this violation of the International Law. But like the red regime did not respond the requests, the Peru broke their relationship with it.
Then recognized Nacionalist Spain.

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iwh
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Re: Peru and Spanish Civil War

#5

Post by iwh » 20 Dec 2005, 11:46

mirko wrote:The Peru continued recognizing the republican regime until 1937. Nevertheless their cause was very umpopular among peruvian people. The regime of Marshall Oscar R. Benavides was conservative but not a fascist or corporative one.
As a very deeply catholic people the most part of the people rejected the communist revolution and the religious persecution.
The support of the Republica was of the "intelligentsia", leftist trade unions and socialist political parties( APRA) and the communist poet Cesar Vallejo.
Supporters of Franco were, for instance, don Jose de la Riva Aguero, a distinguished intellectual and don Victor Andres Belaunde a diplomatic and historian. Among many others. The whole Hierarchy of the Church, Catholic Action, ranged from higher to low classes.
The May 6 1937 the peruvian embassy in Madrid, which was plenty of refugees, was assaulted by agents of Direccion General de Seguridad that took the helpless refugees.
The peruvian government protested by this violation of the International Law. But like the red regime did not respond the requests, the Peru broke their relationship with it.
Then recognized Nacionalist Spain.
Some sources for your information would be useful please.

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Maribel-bel
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#6

Post by Maribel-bel » 20 Dec 2005, 12:56

During the SCW happened some diplomatic assaults in Madrid over some embassies and consulates. The background of this is because the Spanish Republic in principle respected the international law so many rebel refugees hide themselves in foreign embassies. This did not happen in Franco’s side because even in the few embassies of countries which recognized Franco, the diplomatic asylum was not tolerated by him. After the war, when Franco was in power, embassy asylum was neither allowed.
As I said some diplomatic assaults happened in Madrid along the war, not only the peruvian one. The most significan ones were against the representations of Germany (Nov-23rd’36), Finland (Dec-4th’36), and Turkey (Jan-28th’38 ). Generally speaking, at least in some of the cases, these incidents happened because these countries were somehow Franco’s friends despite having relations with the Republic, so that the diplomatic legations facilitated activities which went further than the simple asylum, but were in favour of the fifth column.
The assault to the consulate (not embassy, as you said) of Perú in Madrid had in the background the previous bad relations between Perú and the Spanish Republic. The police was informed thet the refugees had a radio to communicate with the Franco lines. On May-6th’37 the police forces went in and took 300 refugees (half of them women and children) . Actually there was a radio, but a simple one only to listen the Franco’s propaganda, but not to communicate. Most of the prisoners were inmediately released, except those on military age who were sent to the front line. But eighteen of the refugees were notorious rightists activists and were taken into jail, and later on trial. Even sentenced, they saved their lives.
In spite of the above, Perú kept relations with the Republic up to March ’38. Some months later in July’38 the police went into the rooms of the peruvian affairs kept in the Chilean embassy where 20 men were hosted under the Peruvian flag. These 20 were taken but later released and sent abroad under diplomatic protection.

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Re: Peru and Spanish Civil War

#7

Post by mirko » 22 Dec 2005, 00:30

[quote="iwh]
Some sources for your information would be useful please.[/quote]

My pleasure:

1) Novak, Fabian. Las relaciones entre el Perú y España (1821 - 2000). Lima: PUCP, 2001.

2) VVAA. El Perú y España: un siglo de historia. Lima: PUCP, 2000

3) Pinto Gamboas, Willy.Sobre fascismo y literatura: la Guerra civil española en La Prensa, el Comercio y la Cronica (1936 - 1939) Lima: Cibeles, 1983

4) Ibid. Cesar Vallejo: en torno a España. Lima: Cibeles, 1981

5) Magazin Mercurio Peruano. Years from 1936 - 1940

And there are more....

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iwh
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#8

Post by iwh » 22 Dec 2005, 15:16

Thank you very much for the sources.

However, you must forgive my slight suspicions when it comes to your previous message. Why is it that the term intelligentsia is put in quotation marks, and yet supporters of Franco are said to be distinguished.
The support of the Republica was of the "intelligentsia", leftist trade unions and socialist political parties( APRA) and the communist poet Cesar Vallejo.
Supporters of Franco were, for instance, don Jose de la Riva Aguero, a distinguished intellectual
Why not just say that there were refugees in the consulate, instead of adding the adjective "helpless"?
was assaulted by agents of Direccion General de Seguridad that took the helpless refugees.
There is a certain amount of subjectivity here. I would like to see where abouts in your sources these statements were made. Obviously peruvian literature is not readily available here in Europe, but if you could quote directly in Spanish, I am sure it would be possible for some of out Spanish speaking members here to translate into English.

mirko
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#9

Post by mirko » 25 Oct 2006, 05:38

IWH wrote
There is a certain amount of subjectivity here. I would like to see where abouts in your sources these statements were made. Obviously peruvian literature is not readily available here in Europe, but if you could quote directly in Spanish, I am sure it would be possible for some of out Spanish speaking members here to translate into English.

Hi everybody, I could not answet this request before. I was working in Andes highlands. There is not Internet there. In facto there is not even electricity :lol:

Well, I will quote this paragraph in spanish language. i could translate it because while I am not a native English speaker, I do not want to offend distinguished English scholars as Iwh.

Las Relaciones entre el Peru y España


En el ambito politico, el buen nivel de las relaciones con España cambio radicalmente en la segunda mitad de la decada del 30, fundamentalmente, por la guerra civil española entre 1936 y 1939.
(...) cuando el Gobierno del Peru se entero que en el Consulado en Madrid permanecian algunos nacionales y 370 refugiados españoles, se envio nuevamente al ministro Juan de Osma para que gestionara su salida. Lamentablemente, Osma seria testigo de una serie de incidentes que lastimarian la relacion bilateral. Este comprobo al llegar a Madrid que las cajas de seguridad de propiedad del Estado peruano existentes en el Banco Hispano Americano habian sido violentadas por autoridades españolas, lo que merecio una segunda protesta. Luego el 6 de mayo de 1937 el Comisario de Seguridad de Madrid allano la residencia del consul y el consulado peruano que servia de refugio a los peruanos y asilados españoles, apresando al Consul y violando con ellos las inmunidades y privilegios diplomaticos de la sede y personal del Peru lo que ocasiono una energica protesta.
(...) los problemas continuaron. El jefe de la mision peruana, Juan de Osma, fue llamado a Lima por los agravios inferidos a la representacion politica diplomatica del Peru en España, los mismos que no fueron subsanados (...) Acto segudio, el Peru encarga el manejo de sus asuntos en Madrid a la representacion diplomatica chilena, encargo que no fue aceptado por el Gobierno español, lo que agravo aun mas las relaciones diplomaticas con España que llegarian a su punto mas algido el 17 de marzo de 1938 cuando el gobierno del Mariscal Oscar R. Benavides rompe las relaciones diplomaticas con este pais.
Esta decision del gobierno peruano no fue un hecho aislado; por el contrario muchos paises comenzaron a cerrar sucesivamente sus legaciones acreditadas en España.
(...) Ante la progresiva vinculacion del Gobierno Republicano español con el comunismo internacional y frente al triunfo del General Francisco Franco, el nuevo Gobierno de Manuel Prado en el Peru - hasta ese momento respetuoso del Principio de No Intervencion - se inclino a favor del Gobierno Nacionalista, a partir de lo que, a traves del Gobierno de Burgos, se reanudaron las relaciones diplomaticas con España mediante cables del 18 y 19 de febrero de 1939.

The author is not an historian but a diplomat and ambassador, so you can consider him unbiased.

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iwh
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#10

Post by iwh » 28 Oct 2006, 14:57

mirko wrote:
Well, I will quote this paragraph in spanish language. i could translate it because while I am not a native English speaker, I do not want to offend distinguished English scholars as Iwh.
Go ahead and translate..I don't mind. I've been called lots of things on this thread, but never distinguished. Almost brings a tear to the eye. :D

Thanks for the quote. I think that Mirabel Bel sums it up quite nicely really in her post on this topic. One thing, however that occurs to me regarding your text. Where abouts in the passage does it say the refugees were "helpless"? as you originally claimed. If I remember correctly, it was the use of these extra little "gems" that I was pointing out which made your comments more subjective than objective.
mirko wrote:The author is not an historian but a diplomat and ambassador, so you can consider him unbiased.


Why?...it all depends on what political system he was a diplomat for. From what I can see, Peru was a virtual military dictatorship in the 1930s so no support or backing for the republican cause there is there?

I must admit to knowing little about the history of Peru. Not much seems to be found on the internet. Perhaps you could point me to a few good links; Spanish or English.

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#11

Post by paul philippou » 28 Oct 2006, 17:06

About 1000 fascist volunteers are believed to have come from Latin America to serve in the Army of Franco.

Argentina: Formally neutral, the Argentine Government offered to act as a mediator during the civil war. Most of the Spanish immigrants in Argentina favoured the Republic whilst much of the Argentinean ruling class were supporters of the nationalists.
Brazil: Support for the Nationalists in Spain went hand in hand with the rise of fascism within Brazil.
Cuba: Neutral during the civil war but an enthusiastic supporter of General Franco at its end. Divisions within Cuban society meant that the Right provided funds for the Nationalists.
Mexico: Mexico refused to accept the Non-intervention Treaty, arguing strongly that there cannot be neutrality based on equality of relations between an elected government and a military junta. A strong supporter of the Spanish Republic despite the considerable pressure placed on the Mexican government.

The sources for the above information and for other South Amercian countries is the
Historical Dictionary of the Spanish Civil War, 1936-39 (Hardcover) by James W. Cortada, 1982.

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iwh
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#12

Post by iwh » 29 Oct 2006, 17:41

mirko wrote: Esta decision del gobierno peruano no fue un hecho aislado; por el contrario muchos paises comenzaron a cerrar sucesivamente sus legaciones acreditadas en España.
My translation:
This decision made by the Peruvian Government was not an isolated act; on the contrary many countries started to successively shut down their embassies and consulates in Spain.
Perhaps they did not all leave Spain but instead followed the Government to Valencia. Many of the embassies and consulates in Madrid were left with skeleton staff, most of the important staff transfering to Valencia during the battle for Madrid.

mirko
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#13

Post by mirko » 17 Nov 2006, 17:09

iwh wrote: Go ahead and translate..I don't mind. I've been called lots of things on this thread, but never distinguished. Almost brings a tear to the eye. :D

Ok this is my best. Sorry by mistakes
Diplomatic relations between Peru and Spain


In political sphere, good level of relationship with Spain went through a radical level change during second half of tirites due to Spanish civil war (1936-1939).
(...) when Peru’s Government realized that in Madrid’s Legation stayed some countryman and 370 spanish refugees, sent another time minster Juan de Osma to negotiate their departure. Unfortunately, he would witnessed a group of incidents that would injure bilateral relationship. After arriving Madrid he noted Peruvian State’s safe-deposit boxes in Banco Hispano Americano had been forced by spanish authorities, so he sent a second complaint. Then, May 6 1937 Madrid’s Comisario de Seguridad de Madrid invaded consul’s residence and peruvian leagation that were a shelter for peruvian citizens and spanish refugees, arresting the Cónsul and violating by this immunities and privileges of Peru’s seat and staff, causing a vigorous complain.
(...) problems got worse . Peruvian chief misión, Juan de Osma, was called to Lima because of insults to peruvian political diplomatic representation in Spain, that they were not rectified (...) As next step, Peru entrust Chilean diplomatic representation its affairs in Madrid, what it was not accepted by Spanish Government, so diplomatic relations got even worst until March 17 1938 when Marshal Oscar R. Benavides’ government broke relationship with [republican] Spain.
This decision made by the Peruvian Government was not an isolated act; on the contrary many countries started to successively shut down their embassies and consulates in Spain. THIS IS YOURS, THANKS :lol:
(...) In the presence of closer vinculation of Republican Spanish Government with internacional communism and given General Francisco Franco’s victory, the new regime of Manuel Prado in Peru – until then very respectful of No Intervention Principle – decided for Nacional Government, so diplomatic relations were resumed through Burgos’ Government by cables of 18 and 19 February 1939.[/quote]

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iwh
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#14

Post by iwh » 18 Nov 2006, 17:21

I would think, however that there was very little sympathy for the Republican cause in Peru. Moreover, the state of paranoia in Madrid at that time saw spies everywhere, including inside embassies, and especially inside embassies perceived (rightly or wrongly) to have been supporters of the Nationalist cause.

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Dr. Bob
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#15

Post by Dr. Bob » 07 Jun 2007, 02:39

Juan Peron of Argentina was by far Franco's staunchest ally after WWII, and sent Spain enormous quantities of wheat and beef without which Spain would have starved even worse than they did.

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