Spanish Civil War

Articles about the Spanish Civil War and social revolution from 1936-1939 which was sparked by a military rising lead by right-wing General Franco.

a

Towards a Fresh Revolution - Friends of Durruti

Durruti's funeral, 1936.

Highly influential pamphlet of anarcho-syndicalist CNT militants during the Spanish Civil War who opposed the co-option of their organisation in the Republican government.

Spanish Civil War - further reading guide

Libcom's guide to further reading around the Spanish civil war and revolution of 1936-1939.

- Homage to Catalonia - Orwell*
- The Civil War in Spain - Broue/Themin
- Wrong Steps: Errors in the Spanish Revolution - Juan Garcia Oliver
- The Friends of Durruti Group, 1937-9 – A. Guillamon
- We, the Anarchists: A Study of the Iberian Anarchist Federation (FAI) 1927-1937 - Stuart Christie

Wilkens, Jack (1897-1936) aka Vilkens aka Ivan aka Jaime Salan aka J Galan aka Manuel Fernandez Alvar

A short biography of the shadowy and mysterious figure of Wilkens, intrepid Spanish anarchist who was one of the first in Western Europe to offer serious criticisms of the Bolsheviks.

“He had been an Anarchist and an active fighter for long. His tragedy was that he had never been able to inspire the organisations with complete confidence in him. He lived a strange life.

Czakon, Paul (1896-1952) aka Max aka Maximo Mas

A short biography of Paul Czakon, anarchist active in Upper Silesia who fought in Spain.

Paul Czakon was born on 14th July 1897 in Neider-Heiduk. He worked as a miner and fitter. Czakon was chairman of the FAUD in Beuthen (now Bytom) in Upper Silesia from 1921 and in 1930 he was one of the founders of the the Schwarzen Scharen (Black Crowds) in the region. In a house search in May 1932 the police discovered the weapons and explosives cache of the group.

The tragedy of Karaganda

Members of the CNT and other Spanish anti-fascists in the Soviet Union, 1938-1956.

Abstract: In March 1939, Republican soldiers who had been training as aviation pilots were stranded in the USSR along with the sailors of several vessels from the Spanish merchant navy. They were prevented from leaving and in 1941 were arrested and sent to Novosibirsk Transit Prison. Also detained were several civilians who had been working with children evacuated from the Civil War.

Paul, Willi, 1897-1979

A short biography of Willi Paul, lifelong anarchist militant, active in the Anarchist-Communist Federation of Germany (FKAD) and the Spanish Civil War.

Wilhelm Paul was born on the 1st July 1897 in Goettingen. After a carpentry apprenticeship, he worked during 1915/16 as a relief worker and then as a metal worker. He then served as a soldier in the First World War. After the war, he moved to Kassel and joined the USPD, and then the Spartakusbund.

Guerra, Armand, 1886-1939

Armand Guerra

Typesetter, film maker, scenario write, actor and anarchist active within the movement in Spain and internationally.

Born 4 January 1886, Liria, Spain. Died 10 March 1939, Saint Mande, France.

Armand Guerra was born Jose Estivalis Cabo at Liria near Valencia on 4th January 1886, the son of a farmer and of a mother who was already looking after a child of 5 years. First as a choirboy and then as a pupil at a seminary in Valencia, he developed an intense hatred for the Church.

The Foreign Legion of the Revolution

German CNT members in French detention camp, 1939

Dieter Nelles
"The Foreign Legion of the Revolution“[1]
German anarcho-syndicalist and Volunteers in Anarchist Militias during the Spanish Civil War

Borrell, Federico 1912-1936

Short biography of Spanish anarchist Federico Borrell, made famous by the iconic photo The Fallen Soldier by Robert Capa.

Federico Borrell Garcia was born in Benilloba in Alicante, Spain on April 3 1912.

The son of Vicente Borrell and Maria Garcia, he was one of a large family with 3 brothers and 2 sisters, who lived in poverty-stricken conditions.

Estorach, Soledad

A short biography of Soledad Estorach, one of the most dynamic founders and activists of Mujeres Libres.

Soledad Estorach Esteri was born on the 6th February 1915 at the small village of Albatarrech near Lerida.

Syndicate content