The United States military assistance to Spain

Spain emerged from the Civil War to find her economy and military organization in an almost totally exhausted condition. Her government was a dictatorship under General Franco, and her borders were closed to trade and travel with the outside world. This period of isolation continued until 1953 when the base-rights agreement was signed with the United States, granting permission to the U. S. to build Strategic Air Command and naval bases on Spanish soil. These projects provided the Spanish economy with money; American ideas; modern construction methods and equipment; and opened the door for tourists and trade with other countries. The U. S. military assistance modernized and substantially strengthened the military forces of Spain. It helped the economy, by indirectly creating new industries to produce materials for the armed forces, it helped raise the standard of living for the people, and it brought about stability permitting Spain to reenter European and world affairs.http://archive.org/details/unitedstatesmili00browCommander, Supply Corps, United States NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited