[Spanish Civil War, Anti-Fascist Propaganda] Six Pamphlets Published by the Spanish Republic During Wartime

Barcelona: Ediciones Españolas, [ca. 1936-1938]. Six volumes. Offset. Each saddle-stapled in illustrated wraps. Each 4 ½ x 6 ½ in. 14, [1] pp. 14, [1] pp. 14, [1] pp. 12, [1] pp. 13, [1] pp. 14, [1] pp.

A collection of rare booklets published by the Republican government in Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War. Produced by various ministries of the Republican government, the booklets focus on the use of land and wealth for the common people; refugee resettlement, labor, and works projects; and the defense of the republic against Franco’s Nationalist fascist threat.

Para Que el Campesino Tenga Tierras, Trabajo, Libertad y Bienestar [So That the Peasant Has Land, Work, Freedom and Well-Being] includes extensive writing on land redistribution during the Second Republic and references the influential trade union, UGT. Utilizacion de la Riqueza Nacional en Beneficio del Pueblo [Use of National Wealth for the Benefit of the People] focuses on the “lie of poverty in Spain” and details the natural resources are available to improve quality of life for all people under a less exploitative social organization. 

Defender La Independencia de La Patria [Defend the Independence of the Homeland] positions the Civil War as not only a fight for a democratic republic, but a fight for independence from the imperialism of German and Italian fascist projects. Trabajo y Porvenir Asegurados [Work and Future Assured] outlines the various social assistance projects of the Republic, including the directorates for labor and for refugees and internally displaced peoples.

Aprovechamiento Maximo de los Recursos Naturales en Beneficio del Pueblo [Maximum Use of Natural Resources for the Benefit of the People] details efforts by the Republic to rebuild and to normalize life during wartime, and celebrates the quality of public services compared to services in fascist-controlled Spain. Un Ejercito Popular y Democratico al Servicio del Pueblo [A Popular and Democratic Army at the Service of the People] criticizes the hierarchical caste structure of the fascist armed forces, inherited from the feudalism of the Spanish monarchy and celebrates the new revolutionary brigades.

Together, these booklets provide insight into life in the Spanish Republic during the Civil War, as well as the efforts of the Republicans to provide governance, and to distribute effective propaganda against Franco.

Abrasion to cover of “Aprovechamiento” and light shelf wear to some wraps; otherwise, near fine.