A Legacy of Action: The International Brigades after the Fall of Spain
Lesson Overview
This lesson examines how veterans of the International Brigades continued to fight against
fascism and intolerance in the years following the collapse of Republican Spain. By focusing
upon several examples of individual and collective action, as well as excerpts from the
archives of
The Volunteer
, students will recognize the vital roles played by veterans of the
International Brigades during the remainder of the Second World War. As a result, this
lesson will help see the Second World War in a more complicated context than the
traditional way it is often presented in high school history survey classes. Additionally,
students will able to recognize the long term impact of volunteering in the International
Brigades had upon several key individuals.
Learning Outcomes:
During this lesson, students will
Examine the wartime experiences of several members of the International
Brigades in the years following 1939.
Develop an understanding for the persistent legacy of the International Brigades
Recognize the role of U.S. volunteers in fighting fascism in Europe
Conduct research using online archives.
Suggested Grade Levels: 9-12 grade
Subject Areas: World History, 20
th
Century History, Civics
Lesson Duration: 3-5 days based on 50 minute class periods.
Resources (within the site, external links, suggested readings, videos etc.)
Selected sections of the ALBA site
Selected editions of
The Volunteer
Excerpts from
Between the Wars
curriculum
Activity Description
1.
Begin the lesson with an introductory discussion of the phrase, "For Your
Liberty and Ours", the title of the ALBA educational motto, as well as the motto
of the Botwin Brigade. Have students brainstorm what might be meant by this
phrase and why would an all-Jewish brigade fighting in Spain choose it as its
motto.
2.
Explain to students that the focus on this lesson will be to uncover what
happened to members of the International Brigades, Jewish and non-Jewish,
after the collapse of Spain in 1939. In order to establish an historical context for
this period, have students review a timeline of key events, included in the
curriculum "Between the Wars", covering the years 1935-1941. As this context
is clarified, pose the following question for students to write about either in
reflective journals, or for homework:
Considering that they had volunteered to fight an enemy in a country
far from home, what do you think went through the minds of many
