La mobilitazione internazionalista, il caso della guerra di Spagna

Abstract

After a brief, general reflection on the rich literature and the historiographic debates concerning the internationalist mobilization and the Spanish War, the article will briefly analyse four aspects. Firstly, it will take into consideration the Comintern’s interpretation of the Spanish situation before the Civil War and the reasons that led to a resolute effort towards the defence of the Spanish republic menaced by the golpe carried out in the Summer of 1936. That effort, a part of the Popular Fronts’ strategy, had some characteristics that spread decisively the image of a Communist movement committed to the defence of democracy. Secondly, the Comintern action during the war will be analysed. T he focus will be on the building of the International Brigades, especially the leadership and organizational structure developed in order to realise an original effort of international solidarity, and their military action at Jarama, Guadalajara, Brunete, Belchite, Teruel, Aragon, and Ebro, before their dissolution and the retreat of the foreign soldiers, which took place in November 1938. The article will also examine the Comintern political action and that of its leaders within republican political life, especially the conflict of Spring 1937. Lastly, the article will focus on the memory of the Comintern and International Brigades’ action, especially during the Cold War.