Many see the Spanish Civil War as that thingy that led up to the big one. We did not get much about it in Canadian History 101, although we did learn briefly about Dr.Norman Bethune who deserves his own diary. Why bother with a forgotten war? Those who went gained very little. Foreigners were actually banned from participating so both Americans and Canadians had to "sneak" into Spain. They went because they believed in something greater than themselves whether one is a pacifist or not, it is hard not to admire the veterans who fought there when they essentially gained nothing. The Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion formed by Canadians did not even receive official recognition until the 1990's. The last survivor of the Mac-Paps as they were known died in 2001. What official recognition did they receive: sanctioned memorial plaques from the Canadian government.
One of the few monuments in the United States that acknowledges the contributions made by Americans in the Spanish Civil War was paid for by
private contributions.
The United States and several other European countries fearful of the broader implications of a rebellion chose not to officially intervene in the conflict. In fact, while there were no arms sales permitted to the government of Spain which was an elected one saleswere permitted with Nazi Germany. Franco received some direct aid from American companies.
Both the Abe Lincoln Brigade and the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion were a part of the International Brigades. Therein lies the explanation pertaining to why we don't learn much about the Spanish Civil War, it was a call to arms sanctioned by Stalin. Although not all who answered were necessarily communists, the brigades themselves were headed by communists. There was also a fair amount of conflict and infighting between the various groups who did participate. In post WWW II American, one did not openly brag about participation. Units were racially integrated. Oliver Law, a Black American, actually commanded the Abe LIncoln Brigade until his death in combat.
Many veterans were subjected to FBI harassment in the 1950's. Abe Osheroff, a communist and activist, who later turned to progressive ideals, had to hide and dodge during this time.
He remembers WW II as being a lark compared to the Spanish Civil War because he got food and shoes while he fought. Another veteran recalled that at times those in the International Brigades fought with their bare hands. There was a belief among some volunteers that perhaps WW II could have been prevented if the spread of fascism could be halted. One can agree or disagree with that statement or even the notion that those who fought in the Spanish Civil War were naively duped but at a time when the First Lady can claim she and the President suffer greatly over the occupation of Iraq one cannot help but admire the idealism and commitment of those who fought in the Spanish Civil War. The vets who remember participating in the conflict are still fervent believers in democracy. One concluded the interview with Amy Goodman by firmly asserting this current war is illegal and must be halted.
Women also served primarily in non-combat roles. Penny Feiwel served as a nurse, she got typhoid fever and a serious abdominal injury. She recalls that when she spoke out to raise funds for the effort those on the right denounced Spain as being "red" and she replied Yes, Red with flowing blood.
A Neo-Con might point at this experience and see it as a persuasive tract explaining why we still need to be in Iraq. The differences are stunning. The Republican Spanish government wanted help and was rebuffed by all except the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union also effectively suppressed the anti-Stalinist groups.
Iraq did not invite us, we invited ourselves. The volunteers who joined the International Brigades were poorly equipped, they did not get pensions or accolades except in their progressive communities. They were not there to advance particular western interests. International Brigade members particularly the British were generally working class people who felt a sense of kinship with those in Spain. There was a time before consumerism became an ethos in itself that ordinary citizens did extraordinary things. While I am not advocating armed revolt or violence, it does seem necessary to pause and consider what men and women are capable of when trying times emerge. The power is ours. Use it for democracy, the only real gift we can give to our children.