The Spanish Civil War was a fierce and complicated conflict that ripped right through Spain and also ended up foreshadowing the global tensions that had already begun to rise during World War II. It was waged between the Republican government and also the Nationalist forces that General Francisco Franco led. The war itself was dominated by intense ideological battles that occurred between democracy, fascism, and communism. This collection of 16 photos can provide a lens to take a vivid look at various figures and moments from the Spanish Civil War.
1. British Novelist George Orwell holding a puppy while documenting the Spanish Civil War in 1937
Now that’s an adorable little pup if I’ve ever seen one.
2. Marina Ginestà of the Juventudes Comunistas, aged 17, overlooking anarchist Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War, 1937
The portraits that emerged from the Spanish Civil War were next-level.
3. Spanish actress that plays doña clotilde in El Chavo del Ocho, Angelines Fernández, with her comrades in the Spanish Civil War, 1939
A tough-looking crew right there.
4. Fanny Edelman, Argentinan Communist volunteer in Spain during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
Smiles were far and few during the Spanish Civil War.
5. 1930s, Spanish woman armed with a British Lee-Enfield, fighting for the Republican Loyalists in the Spanish Civil War
You can see those long days written in her eyes.
6. The Abraham Lincoln Brigade was an American volunteer unit that fought for the Spanish Republican government during the Spanish Civil War
These guys don’t look like they’re completely miserable.
7. Spanish Civil War, fascist Nationalist rebels. They fought against the Spanish Republican loyalists
These guys are locked in.
8. Spanish Civil War, Nationalist soldier with a captured Republican BT-5/BT-7 tank
That tank means serious business.
9. German Artillerymen of the Condor Legion prepare to fire a Flak 18 88mm cannon onto Republican lines at the Battle of Amposta during the Spanish Civil War
You’ve got to wonder exactly what it was that he was scoping out with those binoculars.
10. British volunteers fighting in the Spanish Civil War
Love how the one lad has his guitar out to try to lighten the vibes a bit.
11. A land mine explosion at the Casa Blanca building
The amount of destruction wrought by that explosion is unimaginable.
12. German Condor Legion in Spain to aid Franco’s Nationalists on a Panzer I during the Spanish Civil War
Definitely one of the smaller tanks I’ve ever seen.
13. Marina Ginestà, communist reporter, some days after the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. Barcelona, 1936
Those Spanish Civil War portraits were on point.
14. Young Women of the Republican Militia in Madrid during the Spanish Civil War
The hats game is on point here.
15. Encarnación Luna, Captain of a machine gun company during the Spanish Civil War. Circa 1938
Now that’s an intense march if I’ve ever seen one.
16. Priests (nationalist faction) learning to fight in the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939
Certainly not the standard look for priests.
