Anyone who knows the history of World War II knows that Franco, the Spanish dictator at that time, could give up neutrality at any time and join the Nazi fascist alliance, but the Spanish government remained neutral until the end of World War II. Why is this? It is also difficult for historians to agree when studying this phenomenon. 1997, David Stafford, a professor of history at the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom, finally solved the mystery when he studied Churchill's letters during World War II. It turned out that Churchill's "money diplomacy" "changed the development direction of World War II".

1940 In May, Churchill became the British Prime Minister. At that time, the international situation was very grim: fascist Germany was victorious in the European continent, while Spain, which was in an important strategic position, could surrender to the Nazis at any time. For Britain, if Germany took control of Spain in Iberian Peninsula, it would be a disaster-the strategic transport lines in the Mediterranean would be blocked.

After analyzing the internal forces of Franco's government, Churchill decided to buy some senior Spanish commanders who had influence on Franco. He designated a sum of money for this top secret action: $654.38 million was deposited by the British Treasury in the new york branch of a Swiss bank. Professor David Stafford said: "This money is considerable, but in view of the importance involved, not many Spanish soldiers are bought." He discovered the bribe while studying Churchill's letters. David Stafford said: "The combination of Spain and Germany may change the direction of World War II."

In order to realize the purchase plan, Churchill relied on aaron hill Gass, military attache of the British Embassy in Madrid. The sailor who was injured in World War I once explored gold mines in Bolivia and then went on a mission in North Africa. At that time, his task in Spain was to monitor the activities of Nazi German submarines and prepare for Hitler's invasion of Spain. After receiving an order from Prime Minister Churchill to transfer money to the accounts of some Spanish soldiers, the British officer got in touch with the banker Juan March. March helped British intelligence agencies in World War I and helped Franco in the Spanish Civil War. March's task was to send money to Spanish officers, who expressed their readiness to resist Franco's willingness to unite with Hitler. Churchill's assistant once criticized the use of March, but Churchill thought: "The fact that March made money by evil methods will never damage his current value to us."

March paid each Spanish officer according to his performance. At the end of 1940, almost all the money went into the pockets of Spanish officers. For example, General Antonio aranda was then the president of the Spanish Military Academy and was considered as one of Franco's heirs. He got $2 million.

Spain remained neutral until the war ended. Although it is unclear whether Churchill's "money diplomacy" played a decisive role, it is certain that it did.