History is not a collection of unrelated events, but rather a record of various causes and their effects. World War II was not an isolated event. It was the product of many events in Europe, including the Spanish Civil War. Spain before World War II was a region of crucial political and strategic importance. By analyzing the events of the Spanish Civil War, the events of World War II can be understood in more detail. Hitler's confident foreign policy, the rapid capitulation of France, the forging of unlikely alliances, and the ideological diversity present in Europe can be understood more fully by examining the Spanish Civil War. The events of the Spanish Civil War changed the political atmosphere of Europe; these events influenced the start of World War II. In order to understand the effects of the Spanish Civil War, one must also understand the atmosphere of Spain before 1936. Spain, unlike the great European powers, never experienced a bourgeois revolution and was therefore always dominated by a important aristocracy. However, Spain went through several civil wars and revolutions, making violence one of the most common tools of change. It also experienced several cycles of reform, opposition backlash, and overthrow by a military uprising led by a dictator before 1936 (Preston 18). The Second Spanish Republic was founded on April 14, 1931 with popular support. However, politics quickly became polarized to the left or right between 1931 and July 18, 1936. In the 1933 general election, the CEDA (Autonomous Right-wing Spanish Confederation), founded by Gil Robles after fascist models formed coalitions and obtained power. the greatest support. (Preston 18, 62) In 1934...... middle of paper ...... itarianism leading to its rapid defeat. Italy and Germany developed a strong alliance while Russia grew closer to France and Britain. The diversity of political thought has inspired many from World War II to today. Changes in the political atmosphere of Europe altered international relations and affected the start of World War II. Works Cited Goldstein, Tom. "Nazi Germany and the Spanish Civil War: Continuity of Hitler's Foreign Policy." »Janus. Janus; the University of Maryland Journal of Undergraduate History, February 2002. Web. February 4, 2014. Orwell, George. Homage to Catalonia. Orlando: Harcourt, 1980. Print. Preston, Paul. The Spanish Civil War: reaction, revolution and revenge. New York: WW Norton &, 2007. Print.Rocker, Rudolf. The tragedy of Spain. New York: Freie Arbeiter Stimme, 1937. “Spanish Civil War” print. Don Quixote. Np, and Web. February 4. 2014.