The Spanish Civil War, which started in July 1936, proved to be really shocking for the European community. It was the first time since World War I when such major military activities involved European territories, and not Africa or Asia. On the other hand, this war became the last one that left some place for romanticism. The Iberian Peninsula became crowded by adventurers, fortune-hunters, crusaders for all sorts of ideas, and revanchists from the previous wars.
The devastating war has left an important cultural heritage, however paradoxical it may appear. Artists, sculptors, composers, and photographers created a new layer of culture, and the most unusual part of this layer are propaganda posters, which stand out amongst other pieces of art from that time. They can barely be confused with other posters of that kind.
On the left: ”Enough projects and sketches! We must win the war now!” The poster dated 1936 and issued in Madrid, calls the left political parties to stand up for the defense of the capital. On the right: ”The first win in the war! Less talking, more doing!” The commander is leading the attack, the Spanish Republican flags and flags of left parties are in the background
On the left:” The enemy is close!” The Republican propaganda tried to prove to the citizens that the war is not only civil but also against German and Italian invaders. The right poster created by the International Association of Friends of the Soviet Union informs of Labor Day. A very interesting detail are the red flags and church cupola highlighting that artist’s familiarity with the USSR is apparently a bit general
The left poster is devoted to a regional conference of the Association of Friends of the Soviet Union. The white Russian bear is sending food, weapons, and ammo to the black bear near the strawberry tree. Such a bear is depicted in Madrid’s coat of arms. In the right picture, the Asturian soldier is strangling the green reptile with a swastika above its head
On the left picture:” Let's purify our country of fascists!” The soldier of the 5th Republican regiment sweeps away the green reptile with a swastika and the armband of the Falangists, the yoke and the set of arrows. On the right, there is a poster of the Iberian Anarchist Federation (Federación Anarquista Ibérica — FAI). An arrow colored in black and red kills the fascist beast. The Iberian anarchists did not cooperate with the Republican government, preferring to act independently
On the left poster, the Spanish Red Cross encourages help from indifferent people. The poster on the right equates venereal diseases with desertion. During World War II, similar ones will be issued in many countries
The left poster encourages militias of all kinds and from all regions to join the People's Army. Unfortunately, those calls mainly remained just calls. On the right, there is a poster devoted to the People's Army Week
The left poster calls on the carabiniers to stay loyal to the people:” Yesterday, today, and always." Since the beginning of the nationalist revolt, the carabiniers were actually split in two parts. The poster on the right is devoted to the first anniversary of the defense of Madrid in the fall of 1936
On the left, there is another poster highlighting the necessity of creating a united front to confront the Francoists. It depicts fighters from the Iberian Anarchist Federation, the Iberian Federation of Libertarian Youth, and the National Confederation of Labor. On the right, there is a poster of the medical service of the Republican army, reminding that digestion will be bad without teeth!
The left poster dated 1937 is devoted to the Day of Madrid in Barcelona, the right poster shows solidarity between Basques and Catalans
According to this artist’s opinion, the tank in the left poster can be used as a farm tractor. On the left:” The only goal is to destroy Franco and invaders”. The tank similar to the French Renault FT-17 is running over the swastika
The left poster depicts an allegorical image of the Republic. The picture on the right is simple and effective: «All to the battle!»
Two troubles. On the left: “Soldier! Do not behave like that. Your business and your life are in danger!» On the right, there is a classic poster reminding about how dangerous sexual relations with prostitutes are: «Avoid venereal diseases! They are as dangerous as enemy bullets!»
On the left, there is a poster of the syndicalist party, which is devoted to the unity of the red pilot, blue sailor, and green infantryman. On the left: “The war is won by gold. We have nothing better than our oranges." The Export Commission informs that oranges can be sold for currency that is acutely needed to support supplies from abroad
On the left, you can see a picture called «Generalissimo». The picture is making fun of Franco; the general, the banker, and the Catholic priest are gripping his greatcoat. The poster on the right is another one devoted to the defenders of Madrid, who fought for the city in the fall of 1936
On the left: «Madrid’s Popular Front is the Popular Front for Peace." A poster dedicated to the International Brigades that fought for the Spanish capital. The soldier with the insignia of the International Brigades on his chest is standing in the shadow of the allegorical image of the Republic, the coat of arms of Madrid is next to him. On the right, there is a poster devoted to the hidden fifth column. The kind of danger and the place where it is hiding can cause some misunderstandings. What is it? A garbage chute?
Two simple posters. The left picture contains a call to the front from anarchists and anarcho-syndicalists. The right poster was issued by the General Union of Workers
On the left: «The Republican Left thanks Soviet people for their help in the fight." Some circumstances forced the relatively moderate Republican Left to print Stalin's mustache on their poster. They would have preferred to portray British and French mustaches, of course, but France and Great Britain remained neutral. On the right: “No pasaran! — They shall not pass!» The most famous words of the Spanish Civil War, and another poster about the defense of Madrid
The poster on the left encourages citizens to evacuate from Madrid. In the fall of 1936, the city was massively bombed, and several thousand of its inhabitants died. On the right: “Worker! Peasant! Unite for the sake of victory!» The poster in red and black from FAI and CNT anarchists
