Lessons Of The Spanish Revolution

by Vernon Richards

A piercing study of the tactics and behavior of the anarchists during the Spanish Revolution.

Genres: History, Spanish Civil War, Spain, Politics, Nonfiction

260 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Anglo-Italian anarchist, anti-fascist and long time contributor to the Freedom paper.

Reviews

[Bill Weinberg]

This book should be way better known. One of the few indispensable works to understand the near-forgotten but utterly critical experience of the Spanish anarchists in the 1930s--an episode that was both the last gasp of "classical" anarchism, and the precursor struggle to World War II.

[Raphier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any other book I might rate a 'five-star' probably only deserves a portion of the fifth. This book, however, cannot have justice done to it with stars. This is one of the most important books in humanity's canon. And it is not the author, or his style that create the gravity of this book. The author's perspective is invaluable to be sure, but it is the subject matter that he covers and the universal lessons and real-world affirmations of theory which make this book the most important book you've never read.

This is not a book of theory or messianic indoctrination, but a non-fiction libertarian* account of the most inspiring revolution in humanity's existence. Anarchists and anthropologists are doing themselves a favor if they read this book, while marxists now have a lockpick to the shackles on their minds.

* Libertarian is, by definition, anti-capitalist. I do not recognize the Heritage Foundation, Cato Institute and Ayn Rand co-optation of the word in the US media as anything more than an Orwellian PsyOp.

[Will Caraccio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richards puts forward a compelling articulation of the anti-collaborationist stance taken by most anarchists in the aftermath of the May Fights of 1937. His analysis relies heavily on counter factual, which I found somewhat detracted from its convincingness in the context of a conflict as complex as the Spanish Civil War.

[Milo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pese a que el libro tiene ya unos cuantos años (la primera edición es de 1953) ofrece sin embargo interesantes análisis y una más que necesaria autocrítica sobre el papel de la CNT-FAI en los primeros meses de la Guerra Civil. ¿Por qué fracaso la revolución española? ¿Qué se podría haber hecho mejor? Son las dos principales preguntas que guían la obra.

[Pushon Bhattacharya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clear, no-bullshit explanation of why the anarchist revolution in Spain ultimately failed and what needs to be done in order to avoid the mistakes of the past.

[Jacob Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me begin by enumerating the good: Vernon presents a historical and informative account of the Spanish Civil War and a powerfully argued interpretation of the fall of the Spanish Revolution from a maximally Anarchist perspective. As such, he critically and closely examines the CNT 'in power', and the collaboration and relations between the CNT and its membership, and the CNT and the parties comprising the Republican government. Indeed, he distinguishes his perspective as an individualist anarchist from the more relevant anarchosyndicalist perspective he critiques.

From this last, those reading my review might ascertain my sentiments on Vernon's text; while the account is well written and argued, clarity of thought and purpose isn't a substitute for an actually good argument. His whole argument rests on an unprovable counter-factual claim which ignores the urgent exigencies of the moment and brushes aside any of the weight of the circumstances.

Vernon would argue (indeed, he did against his earlier critics who made similar critiques) that circumstances don't matter, that material reality and facts on the ground are ultimately trumped by an adherence to principles, and that in the last instance, it must be ideals that guide actions rather that the reverse.

However, I ultimately find this unsatisfactory. He at various points, seems to blame the failure of the social revolution in Spain on the anarchists for even attempting one, and implying that Franco wouldn't have come to power if the anarchists hadn't supported the Republican government in the first place. This marks a throughline throughout where Vernon seems to swap means and ends and causes and effects. Morale falls because discipline is imposed, not because low morale necessitated discipline, and so on. The axiom of the unity of means and ends here is elevated to such a dogmatic degree that the book functions less as an opportunity for critical thought on the successes and failures of the revolution, but rather as the application of a cathecism of Anarchist defeatism: if the revolution cannot be completed, don't bother.

There are lessons here, and I think his examination of revisionism and collaboration within the CNT is valuable, but his conclusions are too unpalatable for me to recommend it to any but those who are doggedly curious for a contemporary anarchist critique of the CNT-FAI in the Spanish Civil War.

[Javier · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the author does a good job in detailing the grave mistakes the CNT made in collaborating with the Spanish Republic during the Civil War. By contrast with many other accounts, he also proposes a constructive alternative, whereby the CNT could have instead allied with the UGT (the socialist trade union). I also agree with his criticisms of revolutionary violence toward the end, and appreciate his bibliographic recommendations on sources.

The book does also contain some strange comments, though, such as the idea that "Spanish revolutionaries g[iving] their support to World War II" amounted to "political opportunism" (168).

[Marty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the best book written in english on the Spanish Civil War. It breaks down many of the different factions and events and attempts an explanation as to why certain decisions were made and why certain actions failed. It doesnt sugarcoat the history here but helps readers gain a deeper understanding of the situation. I am a big big fan of this book.