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.
Persici, Celso, 1895-1988
A short biography of Italian anarchist bricklayer Celso Persici, who fought fascism across Europe and in Morocco, by his son.
Celso Persici
Born 1895 - Italy, died 15 September 1988 - Nice, France
Piñol, Juan Brell, 1908-1976+
Biographical information about Spanish anarchist woodworker and Civil War and Resistance fighter and later pensioners' advocate Juan Brell Piñol.
Juan Brell Piñol
Born 1908 - Valencia, Spain, death information unknown
Born in Valencia in 1908 into an anarchist family, his childhood was 'eventful' due to the banishments and harassment inflicted on his father. He belonged to the anarchist union the CNT's Woodworkers' Union.
The Tragedy of Spain - Rudolf Rocker
German anarcho-syndicalist Rudolf Rocker's history of the Spanish Civil War and Revolution.
July 19th was the anniversary of the day on which a gang of militarist adventurers rose against the republican regime in Spain and, with the assistance of outside powers and foreign troops, plunged the country into a bloody war.
When Insurrections Die - Gilles Dauvé
Gilles Dauvé's pamphlet on the on the failures of the Russian, Spanish and German Revolutions, and the rise of fascism in Europe.
Brest-Litovsk, 1917 and 1939
"If the Russian Revolution becomes the signal for a proletarian revolution in the West, so that both complement each other, the present Russian common ownership of land may serve as the starting point for a communist development."
Durruti is Dead, Yet Living - Emma Goldman
Durruti Is Dead, Yet Living By Emma Goldman
[Published in 1936. Obtained from the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace, Stanford, California.]
Durruti, whom I saw but a month ago, lost his life in the street-battles of Madrid. My previous knowledge of this stormy petrel of the Anarchist and revolutionary movement in Spain was merely from reading about him. On my arrival in Barcelona I learned many fascinating stories of Durruti and his column. They made me eager to go to the Aragon front, where he was the leading spirit of the brave and valiant militias, fighting against fascism.
Fascism / Anti-Fascism - Gilles Dauvé
An analysis of the liberal and leftist obsessions with fascism and anti-fascism, and the role of workers in opposing it internationally.
Totalitarianism & Fascism
Capdevila, Ramon Vila, 1918-1963
A short biography of anarchist Ramon Vila Capdevila, ‘Caraquemada’, one of the last of the anti-Franco guerrillas to fall.
Ramon Vila Capdevila, or ‘Caraquemada’ (Burntface) was born in Peguera, near Berga, on the 2nd April 1918. From an early age he was a member of the Spanish anarcho-syndicalist union the CNT. He participated in the Figola uprising in 1932.
Casas, Juan Gomez, 1921-2001
A short biography of Juan Gomez Casas, underground militant, then first post-Franco Secretary General of the CNT and prolific writer and historian.
Many English speaking anarchists and anarcho- syndicalists will best remember the authoritative work of Gomez Casas The history of the FAI.
According to the National Committee of the CNT-AIT, Juan Gomez Casas was born in Burdeos in 1921. In 1936 Gomez Casas joined the main youth organisation affiliated with the CNT-AIT, Juventudes Libertarias (Libertarian Youth).
Cottin, Louis Emile, 1896-1937
A biography of Louis Emile Cottin, who attempted to assassinate the French president and fought in the Durruti Column in the Spanish Civil War.
Louis Emile Cottin
Nicknamed Milou, born 14 March 1896 - Creil, France, died 8 September 1937 - Farlete, Spain
Born 14th March 1896 at Creil, Emile Cottin was raised at Compiegne in a working class family, becoming a carpenter-cabinet maker. He starting reading Zola and became interested in libertarian ideas.
Kirschey, Helmut, 1913-2003
A short biography of Helmut Kirschey, who was probably the last surviving German anarchist to have fought with the Durruti Column in the Spanish Civil War.
Helmut Kirchey was born 22nd January 1913 in Elberfeld. His father was an active member of the Social Democratic Party, who died on the front in 1917. Hunger affected the family, with Helmut’s mother seeking work in France.
