The Civil War in Spain, 1936-1939 and the Image of Enemy in the British Fascist Press

Vera V Malay,Andrey P Urivskii,Nickolay N Fomichev,Svetlana U Krupskaya,Marina S Orehova

doi:10.7596/taksad.v6i4.1176

Abstract

The article deals with the analysis of publications of British Fascists newspapers 'Action' and 'The Blackshirt' during the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939. The main directions of image of enemy formation are studied on the example of these papers. Forms of presentation and ways of international problems interpreting by far-right publications are studied. The fascist newspaper Action, The Fascist Week and The Blackshirt spoke from the position of nationalism, Imperial identity, anti-liberalism, anti-Soviet and anti-Semitism. The concept of "communism" in the pages of the fascist press has accumulated the most precisely the image of enemy. Articles and notes shaped confusion between "Soviet", "red" and "Communist". The USSR seemed to be "the warmonger" and the "architect of the Civil war in Spain". The destructive role of Soviet Russia in the conflict was proved in the British fascist press. Soviet Union was accused of seeking to plunge Spain and Europe into anarchy. In British fascist publications trend towards stereotyping and myth-making were noticeable, they were opposed to "Western" civilization (as individualistic) and "Eastern", "Communist" (oppressive, traditionalist).

Highlights

The ideological component of the Spanish conflict quietly influenced all aspects of international relations
The article deals with the analysis of publications of British Fascists newspapers 'Action' and 'The Blackshirt' during the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939
The fascist newspaper Action, The Fascist Week and The Blackshirt spoke from the position of nationalism, Imperial identity, anti-liberalism, anti-Soviet and anti-Semitism

Summary

Introduction

The ideological component of the Spanish conflict quietly influenced all aspects of international relations. Breaking headlines in European newspapers during July 1936 concerning the Spanish Civil War sparked a serious information and propaganda war, exacerbating polarization in Europe on the eve of World War II [1]. In early August 1936, British leadership and diplomats expressed concern about the prospect of the creation of a hostile ideological bloc in Europe in connection with the events in Spain. Throughout the war in Spain similar fears were expressed by the French side [2]. The Spanish conflict of 1936-1939 provided a unique opportunity to the future participants of the World War II to perfect military doctrine, and to study skills necessary to sway public opinion in their own countries [3]. British society was fascinated by all aspects of the conflict. While all points of view were covered in the British press, the far-right press, represented by The Fascist Week (1933-1934), Action (1936-1939) and The Blackshirt (1936-1939) covered the views of the Fascist parties which owned them

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion