ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the stereotypes that German intellectuals choose to characterize the Spanish nation, their attitude towards the different historical clichés of Spain and their connection with the dictatorship of Franco and the regimes. It explains the frequent references to Europe and the way they conceived cultural New Order of the continent. The chapter aims to gain a deeper understanding of the contribution of German intellectuals to the exploitation of national stereotypes in shaping the cultural diplomacy of National Socialist Germany. The battle of the National Socialists to achieve the hegemony of the New Order was disputed intensively in the sphere of cultural diplomacy that is of official or officially supported policies of cultural representation of the state abroad, which has been described as “soft power”. In their relations with Spain, the National Socialists used cultural diplomacy to reach their goals. The promotion of Spanish culture in Germany aimed to convey a message of interest and consideration for Hispanic culture.