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Accounts of Pollitt’s visits to Spain, circa. 1937-1940s

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  • Metadata Key Metadata Values
    Title Agitation and the Internal Politics of British Communism, 1907–1977
    Rights Content © Archive Trust of the Communist Party; images © Microform Academic Publishers, 2021. All rights reserved.
    Description

    This collection is derived from the personal papers of one of the titans of British communism, Harry Pollitt. Born in 1890, Pollitt embraced communism after witnessing the hardships inflicted on his family by poverty. He was a founding member of the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) in 1920, before going on to assume the crucial role of General Secretary in 1929. 

    His role as leader of the CPGB is remembered for his unwavering support of Stalin and the Soviet Union, as well as overseeing the CPGB’s most successful years in terms of influence and mass appeal around the time of the Second World War. As such, this collection offers a vivid insight into Pollitt’s personal and political thought, and the complex machinations of being premier of the CPGB.

    This collection is accompanied by three contextual essays written by Professor Kevin Morgan.
    ISBN 9781851171965
    Contributor Archive Trust of the Communist Party of Great Britain
    Type collection
    Format jpg
    Identifier https://britishonlinearchives.com/collections/110/agitation-and-the-internal-politics-of-british-communism-1907-1977
    Source
    Creator Archive Trust of the Communist Party of Great Britain
    Language
    Publisher Microform Academic Publishers
    Coverage 1907-1977
    Created On 9th June, 2022 - 1:45pm
    Last Updated 2nd February, 2026 - 4:03pm
  • Metadata Key Metadata Values
    Title Pollitt during the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1940s
    Rights Content © Archive Trust of the Communist Party; images © Microform Academic Publishers, 2021. All rights reserved.
    Description

    The CPGB was very active in mobilising support for the Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War. Harry Pollitt, acting as General Secretary, made five different trips to Spain to visit the International Brigades and try boost morale.

    ISBN cp-ind-poll-12
    Contributor
    Type
    Format jpg
    Identifier https://britishonlinearchives.com/collections/23336/volumes/861/pollitt-during-the-spanish-civil-war-1936-1940s
    Source
    Creator Archive Trust of the Communist Party of Great Britain
    Language
    Publisher Microform Academic Publishers
    Coverage 1936-1949
    Created On 20th June, 2022 - 9:56am
    Last Updated 25th July, 2022 - 1:14pm
  • Metadata Key Metadata Values
    Title Accounts of Pollitt’s visits to Spain, circa. 1937-1940s
    Rights Content © Archive Trust of the Communist Party; images © Microform Academic Publishers, 2021. All rights reserved.
    Archive Reference
    Shelfmark
    Description

    This document contains detailed accounts written by Pollitt recalling his experience of the Spanish Civil War. The writings largely discuss the significance of the Spanish Civil War, the role of the British Battalion of the International Brigade, and Pollitt’s first-hand experiences of Spain. These accounts were penned both during and after the Spanish Civil War.
    ISBN cp-ind-poll-11-01
    Contributor
    Type
    Format jpg
    Identifier https://britishonlinearchives.com/documents/23336/accounts-of-pollitts-visits-to-spain-circa-1937-1940s
    Source
    Creator Archive Trust of the Communist Party of Great Britain
    Language English
    Publisher Microform Academic Publishers
    Coverage 1936-1949
    Created On 20th June, 2022 - 9:57am
    Last Updated 23rd August, 2022 - 10:24am
  • Metadata Key Metadata Values
    Title img 1:
    Rights Content © Archive Trust of the Communist Party; images © Microform Academic Publishers, 2021. All rights reserved.
    Archive Reference
    Shelfmark
    Description

    This document contains detailed accounts written by Pollitt recalling his experience of the Spanish Civil War. The writings largely discuss the significance of the Spanish Civil War, the role of the British Battalion of the International Brigade, and Pollitt’s first-hand experiences of Spain. These accounts were penned both during and after the Spanish Civil War.
    text Similary 1sts 143 S P A I N It should be explained that nuch of what has been written in this series of memories about Spain, appeared at the actual time of my visits to that country in the Daily Worker, and thanks are due to the Editor for permission to reprint them in the edited form in which Unfortunately the whole situation which ended with the temporary defeat of the Spanish Republican Government at the hands of Franco, Mussolini and Hitler, fully backed by the policy of the Chamberlain Government in particular, has turned out quite differently from what I anticipated when some of the articles were written. But nevertheless nothing can ever dim the heroism and sacrifice of the Republican and democratic people of Spain or the magnificent support they received from the International Brigade and all democratic There was no doubt but what the events in Spain from 1936 to 1938 were meant, especially by Hitler and Mussolini, to be a dress rehearsal for their organisation and carrying through of the Second World War. It was done with the fervent hope of British and French reaction that by supporting their combined actions with Franco, they would save Britain and France from being involved in any direct war with these two fascist gangsters, Hitler and Mussolini. Wie know only too well now how the actual events turned out, and what a terrible price had to be paid by the peoples of France and Britain for the pro-fascist policy of their Few events in our lifetime have evoked such a splendid international support and response as was the case during the Spanish war. I personally have never known public feeling to be so roused as it was in Britain at that time. The meetings of all kinds were very successful. The work of collecting money and goods and m edical supplies for Spain received tremendous support, and let it be remembered that this support came from all sections of the community who were deeply aroused by the magnificent fight of the Spanish people and their own fears and hatred of fascism. Outstanding in the minds of the British people was the epic struggle and sacrifice of the British Battalion of the International Brigade. It is a story that ought never to Image 2 2009 Microform Aca'd emic Publishers withthepermission e Communist Heritage Trust they now appear. and peace-loving mankind. rulers.
    ISBN cp-ind-poll-11-01
    Contributor
    Type
    Format jpg
    Identifier https://britishonlinearchives.com/documents/23336/accounts-of-pollitts-visits-to-spain-circa-1937-1940s
    Source
    Creator Archive Trust of the Communist Party of Great Britain
    Language English
    Publisher Microform Academic Publishers
    Coverage 1936-1949
    Created On 20th June, 2022 - 9:57am
    Last Updated 23rd August, 2022 - 10:24am
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Documents in this VolumeView all

Licensed to access Accounts of Pollitt’s visits to Spain, circa. 1937-1940s

1936   1949
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Licensed to access Correspondence with British volunteers in Spain, 1936

1936   1936
View document
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Volumes in this CollectionView all

Licensed to access Pollitt's miscellaneous personalia, 1907-1959

1907   1959
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Licensed to access Miscellaneous historical definitions and writings, circa. 1910s

1910   1919
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Licensed to access Notebook on international politics from a Marxist perspective, circa. 1920s

1920   1929
Read more

Licensed to access Material from the British Socialist Party, 1909-1913

1909   1913
Read more
View All Volumes