Alan Spitzer

Thursdays, January 26-March 8 3:30-5:30 7 sessions
The Engineering Center, One Walnut Street

The Spanish Civil War (1936-39), a tragic antecedent to World War II, was the product of Spain’s troubled political history embedded in the international context of the struggle for world power. General Francisco Franco’s military coup against the unstable republic in 1936 set off the Civil War. France, England and the United States embraced “Neutrality,” blocking the sale of armaments to the legally elected regime, while fascist Germany and Italy supported the “nationalists,” and communist Russia supplied the embattled republic. The war was widely viewed as a conflict of worldwide political and moral significance. Volunteers fought for the republic in a communist-dominated International Brigade while conservatives, notably Catholic groups, were aligned with Franco. His victory and brutal repression established the dictatorship that lasted until his death in 1975. To this day interpretations of the war reflect opposing responses to the significance of the fascist and communist interventions.

1. Among other works:

Anthony Beevor. The Battle for Spain. The Spanish Civil War 1936-1939
Julian Casanova. The Spanish Republic and Civil War
Hugh Thomas. The Spanish Civil War

2. George Orwell. Homage to Catalonia

3. Film. The Spanish Civil War

Alan Spitzer

Alan Spitzer, who received his PhD from Columbia University, retired to Boston after thirty years of teaching history at the University of Iowa. He has published books as well as articles on the history of France and the philosophy of history.