The Spanish Civil War

In the play Gerry announces he is leaving Ireland to fight in the Spanish Civil War with the International Brigade. The International Brigades were Republican militatry units made up of mostly socialist and communist volunteers from different countries. They travelled to Spain to fight for the Republic in the Spanish Civil War between 1936 and 1939.

The Spanish Civil War was a major conflict that devastated Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939. It began after an attempted coup by a group of Spanish Army againt the government of the Second Spanish Republic, then under the leadership of president Azana. The nationalist coup was supported by the conservative Spanish Confederation of the Autonomous Right, monarchists known as Carlist groups, and the Facsist Falange. The war ended with the victory of the rebel forces, the overthrow of the the Republican governement, and the founding of a dictatorship led by General Francisco Franco. In the aftermath of the civil war, all right-wing parties were fused into the state party of the Franco regime.

Republicans were supported by the Soviet Union and Mexico, which the followers of the rebellion, Nationalists recieved the support of Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, as well as neighbouring Portugal.

Like many civil wars, the conflict became notable for the passion and political division it inspired, and for atrocities committed to both sides of the conflict. The Spanish Civil War often pitted family members, neighbours, and friends against each other. Apart from the combatants, many civilians were killed for their political for religious views by both sides, and after the war ended in 1939, Republicans were persecuted by the victorious Nationalists. An estimated totaly of 300,000+ people lost their lives as a consequence of the war. Out of them probably 120,000+ were civilians executed by either side.

The British volunteers
Between 1936 and 1939 over 35,000 men and women, from over 50 countires, left their homes to volunteers for the Republican forces. More than 2,300 of these came from Britain, Ireland, and the commonwealth, of whom over 500 were killed. Around 80% were members of the Communist Party, or the Young Communist League, though volunteers with an alternative political background or who were active in the table union movement were also accepted. Recent research suggests that a significant number, perhaps 20%, were Jewish in origin. The volunteers came from overwhelmingly working class backgrounds with large numbers hailing from cities such as London, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow. Only a small number were unemployed with large numbers involved in industrial occupations, such as labouring, construction, ship-building and mining.

Sourced from International Brigade Memorial Trust
Picture from The Telegraph Online