Four Weeks One Summer

In the summer of 1936, over just four weeks, it all went wrong - for democracy and for Spain, even for the British royals. Politicians failed, and Hitler was emboldened to plan a new European war, and more.

When some army generals sought to overthrow Spain's elected government, Francisco Franco quickly emerged as their leader; Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy supported him with men and materiel; pusillanimous politicians in Britain and the United States, even in France, turned a blind-eye - and the Spanish Civil War was on. Edward VIII took a scandalous holiday cruise with Mrs Simpson, Berlin staged the greatest sporting event of modern times, the alternative Peoples' Olympiad never came to be, and Barcelona was transformed into a unique workers' paradise.

All this in four weeks. It was an incongruous, at times brilliant, juxtaposition of events.

In vara anului 1936, in doar patru saptamani, totul a mers prost - pentru democratie si pentru Spania, chiar si pentru regalii britanici. Politicienii au esuat si Hitler a fost incurajat sa planifice un nou razboi european si multe altele. Cand unii generali ai armatei au incercat sa rastoarne guvernul ales al Spaniei, Francisco Franco a aparut rapid ca liderul lor; Germania nazista si Italia fascista l-au sustinut cu barbati si material; politicienii pusilanimi din Marea Britanie si Statele Unite, chiar si in Franta, au inchis ochii - si a inceput razboiul civil spaniol.