So what prevented Spain from taking the final step to joining

Common sense.
No.

>>3160168

>Franco´s demands of food, training and equipment for his troops plus a share of the French Colonial Empire
>British bribery of key figures around Franco to stay out of the war
>Finally the incomming collapse of the Axis

>>3160168
Spain was poor as fuck and destroyed after the civil war. Also, Franco was the type of guy who prefered to sit and watch until someone was going to win before making a decision.

>>3160168
Same thing that prevented Spain from joining WWI. It was too poor for the war. It was also one of the few lucky nations that had an actual choice.

Because Franco was intelligent enough to demand a bunch of exagerated things to Hitler in exchange of joining. So if he refuses he doesnt have to join the war and if he agrees the rewards are huge

>>3160168
- The country was destroyed from the Civil War and not ready to take part in the war. Look what happened with Italy

>tell Germany to not start invading and raping because you, their ally, is not ready
>Germany starts their autism rage and a non ready Italy is forced to go to war

- They actually had a choice, not being part of the Iron Pact, and not going to war is better than going to war.

- While Hitler even went to meet Franco to ask them to join, Franco asked for lots of the French's colonial possessions. Some say Franco actually wanted it, he wanted to revive the Empire and what not, some say it was a way of asking for something the Nazis didn't want to give a way so that they could have a reason to not go to war.

>>3160168
Spain was too damaged by the civil war to even attempt entering ww2 but it did send a division called the blue division to the eastern front who performed quite well. The most impactful thing they could have done if they joined the axis would be invading Gibraltar but they probably wouldn't be able to stand up properly to Britain, France and America. I think Franco did say he would be happy to answer to Italy and Germany if they won but he also pissed of Hitler with his stubbornness and personality.

Dear Fontanar,
Italy has already lost. If Germany wins in the end, it will treat her [Italy] badly because of her weak contribution, which many are convinced of. And if Germany loses, nothing will be left of Italy; thus if it came to that [German defeat] Spain remaining outside will save us
-Francisco Franco