The Spanish Civil War was a historical precursor to World War II. Franco’s fascism for a time united disparate opposing groups like anarchists and communists. The opposition attracted volunteers from across Europe. However, these groups began infighting among each other, and the opposition ultimately failed. As with most failures, the blame game ran deep among groups. The great English writer George Orwell’s first-hand account provides as much light as can be shown upon the whole affair.
Orwell fought on the front lines for the “Trotskyist” faction of communists called the POUM. They were allied with the anarchists. They fought against the fascist Government under Franco and his allied communists, who sought order. This situation created a more-or-less four-way political war with each group seeking their own ends. Franco’s faction ended up winning.
Orwell’s account incorporates not only a war story on the front lines but also a political analysis of events, particularly a strategic falling out in Barcelona. The POUM became persona non grata and were jailed en masse. Along with an injury, these events forced Orwell and his wife back to England. The ill will and infighting, combined with Spanish culture, provides a tragic tale of high aspirations and a lack of follow-through too endemic among rivaling humans.
Originally, Orwell sought to oppose fascism boldly. Instead, he became trapped in the muck and mire of infighting. He wanted to awaken England to the continent’s state of affairs; unfortunately, only Hitler’s bombs would do that. To a degree, he also shows the failure of communist ideals to provoke a unified opposition. In times where the far-right seems increasingly active in Europe and North America, his account deserves deeper study to inform attempts at a unified opposition.
Homage to Catalonia
By George Orwell
Copyright (c) 1952, 1980
Harvest/HBJ
ISBN13 9780156421178
Page Count: 232
Genre: War history
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