Europe 1936: Outbreak of the Spanish Civil War

In Spain, tensions had been rising between the reformist republican government and conservative nationalist elements. In July 1936, the Nationalists rose up, seizing control of much of the Spanish countryside. In the ensuing Civil War, Germany and Italy would be able to test their new armaments by supporting the Nationalists while the Soviet Union supported the Republicans.

Main Events

17 Jul 1936 Spanish Civil War starts


20 Jul 1936 Montreux Convention

The Montreux Convention Regarding the Regime of the Straits was signed at the Montreux Palace in Switzerland by Australia, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Japan, Romania, the Soviet Union, Turkey, the United Kingdom and Yugoslavia, with Italy refusing to attend. Effective 9 November 1936, the convention gave Turkey full control over the Bosporus Straits and the Dardanelles while guaranteeing free passage to civilian vessels in wikipedia

14 Oct 1936 Belgium declares neutrality

In response to the remilitarization of the Rhineland, King Leopold III of Belgium announced on 14 October 1936 that his country would henceforth revert to the policy of neutrality that had existed before the war, in accordance with the 1839 Treaty of wikipedia