Practical Anti-fascism? The ‘Aid Spain’ Campaigns in North-East England, 1936–39

Abstract

‘When the fighting broke out on 18 July [1936] it is probable that every anti-Fascist in Europe felt a thrill of hope. For here, at last, apparently, was democracy standing up to Fascism. For years past the so-called democratic countries had been surrendering to Fascism at every step. […] It seemed — possibly it was — the turning of the tide.’¹ So wrote George Orwell about the Spanish military revolt, backed by two of Europe’s fascist powers, Italy and Germany, against the Spanish popular front government.² However, the national leadership of the ‘official’ (i.e. non-communist) British labour movement advocated support for the right-wing National’ government’s policy of non-intervention in Spain. By denying the Republic’s right under international law to buy arms for self-defence, this agreement effectively aided the rebels. Though the labour movement eventually reversed its policy, the national leadership took little positive action in support of the Republic.