James+O'Neill

James O’Neill

**A: Plan of Investigation**

George Orwell's novel, Homage to Catalonia, is a true account of his experiences as a volunteer soldier, fighting against the fascists in the Spanish Civil War. It describes his experiences in the trenches with the poorly equipped working class militias or “democratic armies” where men had no ranks and everyone responded to comrade. As Orwell’s commitment to the war grew, so did the conflict between his personal ideals and the complex realities of political power struggle. The purpose of this investigation is to determine **to what extent does George Orwell’s novel Homage to Catalonia, accurately portray the life and inner-party struggles of the Republic in the Spanish Civil War?** This will be done by comparing research of the Spanish Civil War to Orwell’s book.

**B: Summary of Evidence**

The Spanish Civil War began with a military coup in July 17-18 in 1936, under the leadership of fascist general Fransico Franco and other conservative groups, who sought to take over the Spanish Second Republic and restore feudalism. While the Republican government stood by paralyzed and helpless, in many towns and cities the working class rose up against the army and after fierce fighting put the insurgency down(1). The coup ended with a military defeat putting two thirds of the Spanish national territory into civil war and at the same time provoking a revolution of the working class.

International Brigades

Militias and their policies

Trench Warfare

Events

Orwell originally left England for Spain to report the war as a journalist; however, shortly after arriving he became one of many international supports of the socialist movement. To someone who had been there since July 'it probably seemed... that the revolutionary period was ending; but when one came straight from England the aspect of Barcelona was something startling and overwhelming(2).Practically every building of any size had been seized by the workers and was draped with red flags or with the red and black flag of the Anarchists; every wall was scrawled with the hammer and sickle and with the initials of the revolutionary parties; almost every church had been gutted and its images burnt(3). Upon arriving he volunteered, enlisting in the Workers Party of Marxist Unification (P.O.U.M.) which was part of the many Anarchist and Communist militias formed in response to the military coup. According to Orwell, the equality of the militia system was often attributed to the faults of the militias, which were actually a result of the lack of training and of weapons. But, in reality revolutionary discipline based on class loyalty was surprisingly effective. For a short period Orwell was an acting lieutenant in command of about 30 English and Spanish militiamen, and although they had been at the front for months he never had any difficulty getting an order obeyed or in getting men to volunteer for dangerous tasks. Revolutionary discipline was a matter of political consciousness and while this might take time to implement so did training a man in an organized army. Regardless of the militias inefficiencies, had they not stood their ground at the front the development of the Republic’s Popular Army would have not been possible. Though Orwell did not see much combat at his post on the Argon front, due to both sides focusing all efforts on Madrid, he still highlights the many abominations of trench warfare. His account emphasized 'the mingled boredom and discomfort of stationary warfare(4), stating the most important things in this sort of aimless trench warfare were firewood, food, tobacco, candles, and only lastly, the enemy(5).

**C: Evaluation of Sources**

Newsinger, John. Editorial. Orwell and the Spanish Revolution. International Socialism Journal, July 1994. Web. 2 Feb. 2012. < [] >.

John Newsinger the author of Orwell and the Spanish Revolution, is a British Marxist professor of History. Earning a B.A. at the University of Hull and a M.A. at the University of Leicester.This editorial gives a brief overview of George Orwell’s life leading into the Spanish Civil War. It then summarizes his novel //Homage To Catalonia// as well as his essay “Spilling the beans”, illustrating Newsinger's interpretation of the texts. It then explains Orwell's role actual role in the War and the motives of his involvement. This text gave me more information on the Spanish Civil War. It also explained George Orwell's views on the war with a general explanation which betters my understanding of Homage To Catalonia.

Graham, Helen. The Spanish Civil War a Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press Inc., 2005. Print. Green, Joseph J. “History of Spain.” Spain. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2011.

The author of this book a Professor of Modern Spanish History at the Department of History, Royal Holloway, London University is an acclaimed historian who has written several novels mostly focusing on the Spain as well as the Spanish Civil War.This book was written to give a brief overview of the Spanish Civil War, focusing on the political, social, and cultural development and alterations which resulted in years prior to the war along with the conflict itself. It also discusses the political and domestic policies implemented during this time period by internal and external influence. Though the title states that this is a short introduction to the war it is actually a factual and specific source of information giving views of all angles, having little bias. It discusses the massive shift in political views and the strong cultural development including literature in which the war inspired.This text demonstrates a broader understanding of the war and what it meant for Spain and the changing world around it. It goes in more depth than readings that I have previously read and has strong factual evidence about the war. Because it is an introductory piece it does not have a lot of specific information that will help me answer my research question. It is also not a primary source making less in depth and accurate to the events that it covers.

**D: Analysis**

**E: Conclusion**

**F: List of Sources**

Albert, Albert. "Collectivization in Catalonia." Editorial. //The Albert and Vera// //Weisbord Archives//. The Albert and Vera Weisbord Foundation, 1 Oct. 2004. Web. 24 Feb. 2012. < [] >.

Graham, Helen. The Spanish Civil War a Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press Inc., 2005. Print. Green, Joseph J. “History of Spain.” Spain. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2011.

Newsinger, John. Editorial. Orwell and the Spanish Revolution. International Socialism Journal, July 1994. Web. 2 Feb. 2012. < [] >.

"Spanish Civil War." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2012. Web. 22 Jan. 2012. < [] >.

James O’Neill 5 February 3, 2012 Historical Investigation/ Mr. Hinze

Source #4 Annotation

Albert, Albert. "Collectivization in Catalonia." Editorial. //The Albert and Vera// //Weisbord Archives//. The Albert and Vera Weisbord Foundation, 1 Oct. 2004. Web. 24 Feb. 2012. < [] >.

Origin: Albert Weisbord was an American political activist and union organizer. He is best remembered as a main union organizer of the seminal 1926 Passaic Textile Strike and as the founder of a small Trotskyist political organization of the 1930’s called the Communist League of Struggle.

Purpose: This article written by a lead Communist activist of the 1930’s takes a visit to the collectivizised factories in Barcelona and carries one back to the early days of the Russian Revolution and its Communist influence.

Value: This primary source explains the policies of the industrial workers and various Communist parties in Spain during the Revolution. It discusses the stratagies and goals that the Republic had for Spain during the rebellion and Soviet Russias role in Barcelona at the time. The text also discusses the POUM party in detail which George Orwell joined to fight against Fascism at the time.

Limitations: This source is strongly Communist influenced giving it a very one sided bias opinion. It also only analyzes the USSR’s influence on Spains political parities and movements.

Source #3 Graham, Helen. The Spanish Civil War a Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press Inc., 2005. Print. Green, Joseph J. “History of Spain.” Spain. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2011.

Origin: The author of this book a Professor of Modern Spanish History at the Department of History, Royal Holloway, London University is an acclaimed historian who has written several novels mostly focusing on the Spain as well as the Spanish Civil War.

Purpose: This book was written to give a brief overview of the Spanish Civil War, focusing on the political, social, and cultural development and alterations which resulted in years prior to the war along with the conflict itself. It also discusses the political and domestic policies implemented during this time period by internal and external influence.

Value: Though the title states that this is a short introduction to the war it is actually a factual and specific source of information giving views of all angles, having little bias. It discusses the massive shift in political views and the strong cultural development including literature in which the war inspired.

Value: This text demonstrates a broader understanding of the war and what it meant for Spain and the changing world around it. It goes in more depth than readings that I have previously read and has strong factual evidence about the war.

Limitations: Because it is an introductory piece it does not have a lot of specific information that will help me answer my research question. It is also not a primary source making less in depth and accurate to the events that it covers.

Source #2

Newsinger, John. Editorial. Orwell and the Spanish Revolution. International

Socialism Journal, July 1994. Web. 2 Feb. 2012.

.

Origin: John Newsinger the author of Orwell and the Spanish Revolution, is a British Marxist professor of History at Bath Spa University. Earning a B.A. at the University of Hull and a M.A. at the University of Leicester.

Purpose: This editorial gives a brief overview of Georg Orwells life leading into the Spanish Civil War. It then sumarizes his novel Homage To Catalonia as well as his essay “Spilling the beans”, illistrating Newsingers interpretation of the texts. It then explains Orwells role actual role in the War and the motives of his involvement.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Value: This text gave me more information on the Spanish Civil War. It also explained George Orwells views on the war with a general explanation which betters my understanding of Homage To Catalonia.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Limitations: I need to gain a broader perspective on the Spanish Civil War including its social and political impacts. This will help me relate to Orwell and his views on the war.

<span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Source #1

<span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Spanish Civil War." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. <span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2012. Web. 22 Jan. 2012. <span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><[]>.

<span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Origin: This article was written by Associate Professor George Esenwein who received his Ph.D. from the London School of Economics and Political Science and currently works at the University of Florida. IT was also co-written by Professor Adrian Shubert who holds degrees from the University of Toronto (BA), the University of New Mexico (MA), the University of Warwick (MA), and the University of London (PhD). He has been at York since 1985, and is a Full Professor in the Department of History. <span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Purpose: THis article was written because it is a key event that occured in European history and it serves as a good overview and timeline of the Spanish Civil war. <span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Value:
 * <span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">the Republican, were urban workers, most agricultural labourers, and many of the educated middle class.
 * <span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Between these extremes were other groups covering the political spectrum from monarchism and conservatism through liberalism to socialism, including a small communist movement divided among followers of the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin and his archival, Leon Trotsky.
 * <span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">By July 21 the rebels had achieved control in Spanish Morocco, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands (except Minorca) and in the part of Spain north of the Guadarrama mountains and the Ebro River, except for Asturias, Santander, and the Basque provinces along the north coast and the region of Catalonia in the northeast.
 * <span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Republican violence occurred primarily during the early stages of the war before the rule of law was restored, but the Nationalist violence was part of a conscious policy of terror.
 * <span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nationalist violence was higher.
 * <span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On one side were the anarchists and militant socialists, who viewed the war as a revolutionary struggle and spearheaded widespread collectivization of agriculture, industry, and services; on the other were the more moderate socialists and republicans, whose objective was the preservation of the Republic.
 * <span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Republicans received aid from the Soviet Union, as well as from International Brigades composed of volunteers from Europe and the United States.
 * <span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Soviet Union contributed equipment and supplies to the Republicans, who also received help from the Mexican government. During the first weeks of the war, the Popular Front government of France also supported the Republicans, but internal opposition forced a change of policy.
 * <span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Nationalists drove an attack eastward through Teruel, reaching the Mediterranean and splitting the republic in two in April 1938. In December 1938 they moved upon Catalonia in the northeast, forcing the Republican armies there northward toward France.
 * <span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On March 7 a civil war broke out in Madrid between communist and anticommunist factions.Limitations: This is only a brief overview of the Spanish Civil War. I need to go more in depth on the events that occured in Catalonia and the places George Orwell was during the course of the war. I also need to learn more about the internal conflict on the Republican side and the roles of the various political parties that were part of it including, socialists, communists, and liberals.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Source #2 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Newsinger, John. Editorial. Orwell and the Spanish Revolution. International <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Socialism Journal, July 1994. Web. 2 Feb. 2012. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><http://pubs.socialistreviewindex.org.uk/isj62/contents.htm>.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Origin: John Newsinger the author of Orwell and the Spanish Revolution, is a British Marxist professor of History at Bath Spa University. Earning a B.A. at the University of Hull and a M.A. at the University of Leicester.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Purpose: This editorial gives a brief overview of Georg Orwells life leading into the Spanish Civil War. It then sumarizes his novel Homage To Catalonia as well as his essay “Spilling the beans”, illistrating Newsingers interpretation of the texts. It then explains Orwells role actual role in the War and the motives of his involvement.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Value: This text gave me more information on the Spanish Civil War. It also explained George Orwells views on the war with a general explanation which betters my understanding of Homage To Catalonia.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Limitations: I need to gain a broader perspective on the Spanish Civil War including its social and political impacts. This will help me relate to Orwell and his views on the war.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Source #3

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; vertical-align: baseline;">Graham, Helen. The Spanish Civil War a Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press Inc., 2005. Print. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Green, Joseph J. “History of Spain.” Spain. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2011.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 22px;">Origin: The author of this book a <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Professor of Modern Spanish History at the Department of History, Royal Holloway, London University is an acclaimed historian who has written several novels mostly focusing on the Spain as well as the Spanish Civil War.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Purpose: This book was written to give a brief overview of the Spanish Civil War, focusing on the political, social, and cultural development and alterations which resulted in years prior to the war along with the conflict itself. It also discusses the political and domestic policies implemented during this time period by internal and external influence.

Value: Though the title states that this is a short introduction to the war it is actually a factual and specific source of information giving views of all angles, having little bias. It discusses the massive shift in political views and the strong cultural development including literature in which the war inspired.

Value: This text demonstrates a broader understanding of the war and what it meant for Spain and the changing world around it. It goes in more depth than readings that I have previously read and has strong factual evidence about the war.

Limitations: Because it is an introductory piece it does not have a lot of specific information that will help me answer my research question. It is also not a primary source making less in depth and accurate to the events that it covers.