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.
Minnig, Albert (1911-1968)
A short biography of Albert Minnig, Swiss anarchist volunteer in Spain
Albert Minnig came from a Swiss working class family, like that of his slightly older cousin Louis Walther. The fathers of their families made a living through poaching and illegal fishing, and were seen as “pirates”. Getting into trouble with the law was a common occurrence for Albert.
Women in the Spanish revolution - Solidarity
Liz Willis writes on the conditions and role of women in and around the Spanish Civil War and revolution of 1936-1939.
Solidarity Pamphlet #48
Introduction
1936-1967: A history of Spanish anarchist youth paper 'Ruta'
Victor Garcia's brief history of the Catalan libertarian youth newspaper from its founding in the civil war to its final issue.
Towards a Fresh Revolution - Friends of Durruti
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.
1938-1956: The tragedy of Karaganda
The story of members of the CNT and other Spanish anti-fascists left stranded in the Soviet Union following the Spanish civil war.
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
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.
