Franco's Soldiers: Transnational and Sociological Analysis of Recruitment and Combat in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)

The coup d'etat in July 1936 divided Spain, leading to the Spanish Civil War. Franco's soldiers were often reluctant followers, placed in a terrible dilemma of becoming executioners or dying. This experience was not confined to Spain but was part of a transnational analysis of the political and military dramas of the first half of the 20th century. The book "Franco's Soldiers" provides a unique literary platform to understand the Spanish Civil War experience in a wider historical context and encourages international debate.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 01 July 2023
Publisher: Liverpool University Press

The coup d'état of July 1936 in Spain marked a pivotal moment in history, dividing the country and setting the stage for a period of terror, suffering, and death that would ultimately lead to the end of the Republic and the rise of dictatorship. In the rebel territory, the soldiers of General Francisco Franco often found themselves mere pawns, compelled to fight for a future in which the sole binding force was fear. This harrowing experience was not limited to Spain alone; it was a reflection of the broader political and military dramas that unfolded during the first half of the 20th century. A transnational analysis, which had never been undertaken before, places the Spanish Civil War within the broader context of these dramas. Recruitment, terror, and propaganda dominate the analysis, but it is equally important to delve into the deeper social and psychological issues that contributed to the rise of dictatorship. The military ethos at all levels of the armed forces is given special attention, as it played a crucial role in shaping the course of the war and in shaping the attitudes and behaviors of the soldiers themselves.

Francos Soldiers, originally published to widespread acclaim in Spain, offers a unique literary platform that enables a deeper understanding of the Spanish Civil War experience within a broader historical context. By collaborating with the Department of International History at the London School of Economics, the book fosters international debate and encourages a broader appreciation of this important period of history.

The coup d'état of July 1936 in Spain marked a pivotal moment in history, dividing the country and setting the stage for a period of terror, suffering, and death that would ultimately lead to the end of the Republic and the rise of dictatorship. In the rebel territory, the soldiers of General Francisco Franco often found themselves mere pawns, compelled to fight for a future in which the sole binding force was fear. This harrowing experience was not limited to Spain alone; it was a reflection of the broader political and military dramas that unfolded during the first half of the 20th century. A transnational analysis, which had never been undertaken before, places the Spanish Civil War within the broader context of these dramas. Recruitment, terror, and propaganda dominate the analysis, but it is equally important to delve into the deeper social and psychological issues that contributed to the rise of dictatorship. The military ethos at all levels of the armed forces is given special attention, as it played a crucial role in shaping the course war and in shaping the attitudes and behaviors of the soldiers themselves.

Francos Soldiers, originally published to widespread acclaim in Spain, offers a unique literary platform that enables a deeper understanding of the Spanish Civil War experience within a broader historical context. By collaborating with the Department of International History at the London School of Economics, the book fosters international debate and encourages a broader appreciation of this important period of history.

Weight: 390g
Dimension: 157 x 234 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789761788