Meeting at Hendaye facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Meeting at Hendaye |
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Hitler and Franco at Hendaye station
|
|
| Host country |  Vichy France |
| Date | 23 October 1940 |
| Venue(s) | Hendaye station |
| Cities | Hendaye |
| Participants |
|
The Meeting of Hendaye was an important talk between Francisco Franco and Adolf Hitler. It happened on 23 October 1940, at a railway station in Hendaye, France. This town is very close to the border between France and Spain.
At the time, Franco was the leader, or Caudillo, of Spain. Hitler was the leader, or Führer, of Germany. Their top foreign ministers, Ramón Serrano Suñer from Spain and Joachim von Ribbentrop from Germany, were also there.
Contents
Why the Hendaye Meeting Was Important
The main reason for this meeting was to decide if Spain would join the Axis Powers. These powers included Germany, Italy, and Japan. They were fighting against countries like the British Empire in World War II.
What Spain Wanted to Join the War
Spain had just finished its own Spanish Civil War. The country was in a difficult situation. It needed food, fuel, and weapons. So, Franco had a long list of things he wanted from Hitler if Spain was to join the war.
- Spain wanted Gibraltar back. This was a British territory at the southern tip of Spain.
- Spain also wanted parts of French Morocco and French Algeria. These were French colonies in Africa.
- They asked for French Cameroon to be added to Spain's colony of Spanish Guinea.
- Finally, Spain needed Germany to send lots of food, petrol, and military supplies.
Hitler's Reaction to Spain's Demands
The talks lasted for seven hours. But Hitler thought Spain's demands were too much. He did not want to upset his relationship with the Vichy French government. Giving away French colonies would have made them very angry.
The Secret Agreement and Its Aftermath
The meeting did not go as planned. The only real outcome was a secret agreement. In this agreement, Franco promised to join the war later, when he chose the right time. Hitler, however, only gave vague promises that Spain would get "territories in Africa." He didn't say which ones or when.
Hitler's Frustration After the Meeting
A few days later, Hitler met with Benito Mussolini, the leader of Italy. Hitler famously said, "I prefer to have three or four of my own teeth pulled out than to speak to that man again!" This shows how frustrated he was with Franco and the meeting.
Historical Debate About Franco's Actions
Historians still debate what Franco's true intentions were. Some believe he asked for too much because he genuinely wanted a lot for Spain. Others think he deliberately made his demands so high that Hitler would refuse. This way, Spain could avoid joining the war without directly saying no.
See also
In Spanish: Entrevista de Hendaya para niños
- Spain during World War II
- Spanish occupation of the Tangier International Zone (14 June 1940)
- Military history of Gibraltar during World War II
- Operation Felix
