Pact of Madrid facts for kids
The Pact of Madrid was an important agreement signed on September 23, 1953. It was made between Francoist Spain (Spain's government at the time) and the United States. This agreement helped Spain break free from being isolated by other countries after World War II.
After the war, many countries that won, like the Allies of World War II, didn't like Spain's government. This was because Spain's leader, Francisco Franco, had supported countries like Germany and Italy during the war. The United Nations even spoke out against Spain in 1946. The Pact of Madrid was a big step for Spain to become friends with other powerful nations again.
Contents
What Was the Pact of Madrid?
The Pact of Madrid wasn't just one document. It was actually three separate agreements. In these agreements, the United States promised to give Spain both money and military help. In return, Spain allowed the U.S. to build and use important air and navy bases on its land. These bases included Naval Station Rota, Morón Air Base, Torrejón Air Base, and Zaragoza Air Base.
Why Was This Pact Important?
Even though the Pact of Madrid wasn't a full military alliance (where countries promise to defend each other), it greatly helped Spain's defense. The United States gave a lot of support to make Spain's military stronger.
U.S. Help for Spain
From 1954 to 1961, the U.S. gave Spain about $500 million in military aid. This money was given as grants, meaning Spain didn't have to pay it back.
Between 1962 and 1982, Spain received even more help, totaling over $1.2 billion. Some of this was in loans (money Spain had to pay back), and some was in grants.
Later, from 1983 to 1986, the U.S. continued to provide military aid, averaging $400 million each year. This aid was in the form of sales with special credit terms. By 1987 and 1988, this amount decreased to just over $100 million annually. The U.S. planned to stop these military credits by 1989. This was because Spain was becoming more able to defend itself.
Military Training
Besides money and equipment, the U.S. also helped train Spanish soldiers. Each year, more than 200 officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) from the Spanish Armed Forces received special training in the United States. This program helped improve the skills of Spain's military leaders.
See also
In Spanish: Pactos de Madrid de 1953 para niños
- Spain–United States relations
- United States Air Forces in Europe
- 1966 Palomares B-52 crash
