| Sumario: | In this article, the author explores the international repercussions of the Spanish nationalist administration's policies regarding the production and distribution of the mineral pyrites. German policy during the Spanish Civil War was largely motivated by a desire to acquire control over Spanish raw materials, in particular pyrites and iron ore. This fact, and the resulting danger to Great Britain's economic position in Spain, was first made clear to the British government through the action of British firms operating in the Nationalist zone. On realizing this danger, British policy-makers responded rapidly and showed themselves to be flexible in their approach to the problem. Recognition of Britain's inability to contain the German penetration of the Spanish economy without a permanent representative in the Nationalist zone led to the decision in September 1937 to propose an exchange of agents. Thereafter Great Britain's position in Nationalist Spain was improved. British policy in Spain was directed towards the containment of the war and the preservation of Spanish freedom of action in the political and economic spheres. If judged in relation to these aims British policy was undoubtedly successful.
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