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Class War issue 80: The Trophy Is Democracy: Merseyside, Anti-fascism and the Spanish Civil War
by Dave Auty (32 pages, £3)
This pamphlet will be of more interest to those with an interest in the local history of Merseyside than those with an interest in the anarchist contribution to the Spanish Revolution. Anarchists are mentined twice in the thirty two pages. Once in the chronology...'4 May 1937 Anarchist and POUM uprising in Barcelona', and on page 11, a brief reference to Frederica Montseny. Apparently the suppression of the POUM was due to a difference with Spanish Communists. No mention of Moscow's hand in the events, no mention of the Telephone Exchange or the murder of Anarchists.
Then it's on with the usual diet of Stalinist Popular Frontism. How the gallant International Brigades almost saved democracy alone. You've heard it all before, so no need to dwell on it here. Twenty seven Merseyside men died serving with the International Brigades and I would not for one minute suggest they were aware they were being used as a tool of Soviet foreign policy. Over sixty years on, Dave Auty should have been aware of it. The chapter dealing with the anti-fascist struggle on Merseyside is interesting, but anyone wanting a good background to this historic conflict would be advised to read 'Lessons of the Spanish Revolution' by Vernon Richards.
Back to issue 80 contents
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