Dolores Ibárruri, renowned as La Pasionaria, was a passionate Communist leader whose stirring oratory inspired fighters during the Spanish Civil War. She shares her journey from a miner's daughter to a powerful voice of resistance, igniting hope with her battle cry, 'No pasaran!' The podcast highlights her advocacy for women's rights and the impact of her speeches against fascism. It also reflects on the emotional farewells of the International Brigade, capturing the sacrifices made in the name of freedom and the enduring legacy of this fierce revolutionary.
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La Pasionaria's Influence
Dolores Ibárruri, known as "La Pasionaria," delivered powerful speeches during the Spanish Civil War.
Her speeches inspired anti-fascist fighters, including Simon Hirschman, who travelled from Latvia to join the cause.
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Spanish Civil War Background
The Spanish Civil War began in 1936, with Nationalist rebels backed by Hitler and Mussolini against the Republican government.
Dolores Ibárruri, a miner's daughter and communist leader, firmly supported the Republicans.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Dolores's Speeches
Dolores's passionate speeches, delivered in her signature black attire, rallied Republican supporters.
She visited troops, made radio broadcasts, and famously declared, "It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees."
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Dolores Ibárruri was nicknamed La Pasionaria for her fiery speeches to the anti-fascist forces during the Spanish civil war. The fighting had begun in July 1936. Troops, led by General Francisco Franco, launched an uprising against the democratically-elected government. These Nationalist rebels were backed by Adolf Hitler in Germany and Benito Mussolini in Italy.
On the other side were supporters of the Republican government, including Spain’s communist party, and Dolores was one of its leaders. She was already known for her speeches against fascism, but it was the civil war that sealed her reputation as a passionate and persuasive speaker. Her favourite phrase even became a battle cry for the Republicans: “No pasaran! They shall not pass!” Jane Wilkinson has been looking through the archives to find out more.
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