October 28, 2018 is the 80th anniversary of one of the greatest examples of working class internationalism in history—the departure of the International Brigades from the Spanish Civil War. The Spanish Civil War lasted from 1936 to 1939. The War was, along with fascist Japan’s invasion of China in 1931, the true beginning of World War II.
 Prelude to world war
Many working class students of history may know about the Paris Commune, and the 1905 and 1917 revolutions in Russia. The history of workers’ fightback in Spain, since at least 1875, is somehting else to behold. It’s a proud history, and also a tragic one
The Spanish Civil War was a fight to the death of Spain’s capitalist Second Republic, 1931-39. In the first quarter of the twentieth century, Spain’s ruling class had changed little in thinking and in custom since the fifteenth century, when the monarchy of Ferdinand and Isabella began pillaging the Western hemisphere. The workers and peasants had had enough!
From “Spain’s October” to Popular Front
In 1934,  Communist and left-socialist-led miners in northern Spain revolted against the fascist party’s election into the Republic. This heroic, short-lived “Soviet Republic” was crushed by the army, under the leadership of a fascist general named Francisco Franco.
The Communist Party (PCE), the largest and strongest party in Spain, then entered into an electoral “Popular Front” coalition with the Socialist Party. (For PLP’s analysis and critique of this period, read “Lessons of People’s War in Spain.”)
In 1936, the Popular Front was narrowly elected into power. Months later, the Republic was attacked by a revolt of its own army, led by General Franco, and now supported by Hitlerite Germany and Fascist Italy.
Long live the international brigades
Despite the political weaknesses of the old communist movement, especially abandoning revolution and allying with so-called “lesser evil” capitalists, a testament to the old movement’s strength and commitment to our class is how they organized millions of workers to aid the Spanish Republic under fascist invasion. In a message to José Diaz, leader of the PCE, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin called the Spanish Civil War “not solely the cause of the Spaniards, but the cause of all progressive and advanced humanity.” This was a testament to the old movements strength and commitment to our class.The major “democratic” capitalist powers, especially the U.S. under FDR, declared “neutrality” while openly selling weapons, trucks and fuel on credit to fascist Franco, Germany, and Italy.
The international working class, however, answered the workers of Spain’s call. 32,000 workers, most of them Communists, came to Spain from 37 countries to fight fascism in special divisions of the new worker-led Spanish army: the International Brigades. The worker-led Soviet Union sent as many shiploads of military aid as they could, despite a Nazi submarine blockade of the Spanish coast.
Despite being gravely outnumbered and outgunned, and having no professional training as soldiers, the Brigades were thrust into action immediately and helped achieve the seemingly impossible- the successful defense of Madrid, from November 1-21, 1936.
The Brigades played a decisive role in every major battle of the war until the capitalist Republican government ordered the Brigades to leave in October, 1938, in a desperate attempt to placate the capitalist powers. The Republic fell to the fascists in March, 1939.
Many were put into concentration camps. The war killed one million workers, of which 400,000 were captured and executed, and 500,000 fled Spain. Thousands of Brigaders fought the fascists again in World War II; thousands others became antifascist partisans led by communists in France, Yugoslavia and elsewhere. Some made it to the Soviet Union and joined the Red Army, where their experiences helped give leadership to the Eastern Front- especially in helping break the Nazi siege of Leningrad in 1944.
Dolores Ibárruri, known as “La Pasionaria,” a leading Spanish communist, addressed the departing Internationals after their parade down “Las Ramblas” boulevard in Barcelona. It was 80 years ago, today.
Excerpts from La Pasionaria’s farewell address
         Barcelona, October 28, 1938
It is very difficult to say a few words in farewell to the heroes of the International Brigades, because of what they are and what they represent. A feeling of sorrow, sorrow for those who are going away, exiles from their countries, persecuted by the tyrants of all peoples - and grief for those who will stay here forever mingled with the Spanish soil.
From all peoples, from all races, you came to us. And in the hardest days of the war, when the capital of the Spanish Republic was threatened, it was you, gallant comrades of the International Brigades, who helped save the city with your fighting enthusiasm, your heroism and your spirit of sacrifice. And Jarama and Guadalajara, Brunete and Belchite, Levante and the Ebro, in immortal verses sing of the courage, the sacrifice, the daring, the discipline of the International Brigades.
They gave us everything - their youth or their maturity; their science or their experience; their blood and their lives; their hopes and aspirations - and they asked us for nothing. But yes, it must be said, they did want a post in battle, they aspired to the honor of dying for us. Banners of Spain! Salute these heroes! Be lowered to honor these martyrs!Speak to your children. Tell them of the International Brigade Recount for them how, coming over seas and mountains, crossing frontiers bristling with bayonets, sought by raving dogs thirsting to tear their flesh, they reached our country as crusaders for freedom, to fight and die for Spain’s liberty and independence threatened by German and Italian fascism. They gave up everything - their loves, their countries, homes, fathers, mothers, wives, brothers, sisters and children - and they came and said to us: “We are here. Your cause, Spain’s cause, is ours.”
Today many are departing. Thousands remain, shrouded in Spanish earth. Comrades of the International Brigades: political reasons, reasons of state, the welfare of that very cause for which you offered your blood with boundless generosity, are sending you back, some to your own countries, and others to forced exile. You can go proudly. You are history. You are legend.
We shall not forget you. And when the olive tree of peace is in flower, entwined with the victory laurels of the Republic of Spain - return!
Return to our side, for here you will find a homeland. Those who have no country or friends, who must live deprived of friendship - all, all will have the affection and gratitude of the Spanish people who today and tomorrow will shout with enthusiasm: LONG LIVE THE HEROES OF THE INTERNATIONAL BRIGADES!