8 Life in the Republican Zone Flashcards
How were general conditions in the Republican zone?
greater variety of social and economic conditions
What was life like in Madrid?
war economy - 30% of industry under government control
How was employment run?
by the state
geared towards aiding the war effort
What was life like in Barcelona?
more radical - 70% of industry collectivised
run by the people
powerful workers’ committees
if former owners and employers were uncooperative: executed
regular flow of wartime resources
When did air raids start and what happened?
late August 1936
trade and food supplies disrupted
regular blackouts
shelters, barricades and trenches built
What did the Republican militia do?
common sight
wore blue boiler suits uniform
vigilant
took extreme vengeance on suspected Nationalist-sympathising civilians eg. conservative, bourgeoisie, religious
Antonio Primo de Rivera: arrested and executed by firing squad
What was life like in the anarchist areas?
money abolished and replaced with vouchers reflecting the number of hours worked
What was life like for women?
social revolution gave them freedom instead of prioritising domestic life
egalitarian attitude to gender roles - especially in radical communities eg. Barcelona and Aragon there was equal pay because of trade unions and collective working
What was life like for women in Catalonia?
marriage code gave equal rights with marriage and divorce
could wear trousers
go to cafes/bars unaccompanied
engage in paid work
What women’s organisation was there and what did they do?
Communist Women Against Fascism
organised work in creches and orphanages (still traditional roles)
Did women work in factories?
yes to support the war effort
BUT some men were hostile
What happened for prostitutes in Barcelona?
brothels closed
What happened for prostitutes in anarchist areas?
pimps shot
prostitutes set up collectives and shared profits
‘treat women as comrades’ signs
Were women involved in militias?
1000 fought in socialist militia groups
known as milicianas
POUM: took equality seriously, shared tasks eg. both fight, both wash clothes
What happened to women’s roles after the Popular Army formed?
militias integrated
limited the role of women
September 1936: decree that all women withdraw from the front lines
What did Dolores Ibarruri do?
speeches and radio broadcasts to raise morale
La Pasionara
!No pasaran! = memorable motto, symbolise defiance in Madrid siege
What did Federica Montseny do?
Minister for Health 1936
anarchist
- clinics for women
- legalise abortion
What did Mika Etchebehere do?
lead squadron om POUM militia soldiers
elected to the position by predominantly male squadron
fought heroically - survived being buried alive
What did Linda Odena do?
led communist youth movement
first woman to die on the battlefield: symbolised bravery
What was the Red Terror?
only lasted to end of 1936
in areas where government/CNT had less control
not a deliberate government policy
BUT attacks on churches continued
How many people died during the Red Terror?
38,000 - 55,000
What happened during the Red Terror in Catalonia?
factory owners targetted
CNT established revolutionary courts to try and reduce violence
What happened during the Red Terror in Aragon?
landowners killed
What happened during the Red Terror in Barcelona?
only 1/58 churches survived
