Road to Anarchy: The CNT under the Spanish Second Republic (1931-1936) (Sussex Studies in Spanish History)

The Road to Anarchy is the result of an exhaustive investigation into the anarcho-syndicalist Confederación Nacional del Trabajo (CNT) during the democratic years of the Second Republic. By analysing the course of the CNT in terms of its role in the labour conflict and the internal life and approach of the organisation (its ideology, its practice, its internal conflicts, the role of the individual and the weight of history) this book dismantles the long-held view that the CNT orchestrated three insurrections against the Republic. Key is analysis not only of the violence of the anarchists, but also that of the state. Two crucial themes emerge: the political struggle within the organisation, and its involvement in the revolution of October 1934 and in the events of the spring of 1936. Ángel Herrerín investigates the controversial relations of the anarchists with other political formations, such as the republicans, the socialists, Communists and Catalans, with whom the anarchists fought on the republican side during the Civil War. Special attention is paid to the crucial relationship with the socialist trade unions, the Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT), as this evolved from one of competition for trade-union dominance to the acceptance of anarcho-syndicalist practices by the socialists and collaboration between the two organisations. The book is based on wide-ranging archival research, including the Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, the National Historical Archive in Spain, the Foreign Office Archives in France and other national archives related to the repression of the CNT, such as those of the Army and Civil Guard in Spain. The study of the CNT in this timeframe is long overdue; the last similar study was undertaken by the US Democratic Congressman John Brademas in the 1950s, a renowned scholar of Spains social revolution. Cover 1 Sussex Studies in Spanish History 3 Title Page 6 Copyright 7 Contents 8 General Series Editor’s Preface by Nigel Townson 10 List of Figures 12 Introduction 14 1. Anarchists and Anarcho-syndicalists in the Early Days of the Republic (April 1931–June 1931) 18 The Desired Republic 18 The CNT, Dazzled by the Light of the Republic 21 The Importance of the Anarchist of Action 24 Labour Conflict 27 Public Order and Repression 31 The FAI Conference 38 Second (II) Extraordinary CNT Congress 42 The International Workers’ Association Congress 52 2. The Struggle for Power: From Syndicalism to Insurrection (July 1931–April 1932) 56 Strikes, Too Many Strikes! 56 Violence and Repression 60 Treintismo 68 Caught in the Crossfire 72 Protests and Repression at the Start of the Year 76 The Movement of January 1932: A CNT Uprising? 85 The Enigma of Figols 94 The 15 February Strike 96 But Mira was Missing 98 Responsibilities and Expulsions 102 3. To the Barricades! (May 1932–December 1933) 106 Fresh Anarchist Winds 106 The April 8 Law 107 Conflict in the Countryside 109 Sanjurjo’s Coup, the CNT and the Deportees 112 Land Reform and the Autonomy of Catalonia 116 Towards Division 119 The January 1933 Uprising 123 Casas Viejas 127 The Libertarian Syndicalist Federation and the Opposition Trade Unions 133 The Benefits of Negotiation and Labour Conflict 137 Violence 142 Public Order and Vagrancy Laws 145 The Demotivation of Members 147 Against the Advance of Fascism: Frente Único 151 The Elections of November 1933 153 The Insurrection of December 1933 157 4. From the Workers’ Alliance to the Revolution (January 1934–April 1935) 162 1934: Year of Changes 162 The Syndicalist Party 167 The New Government and the Strikes 172 The Constitution of the Alianza Obrera 179 The October 1934 Movement 183 Madrid: Strike and Boycott 185 Catalonia: On the Streets, But Against Everyone 189 Asturias: Alliance and Revolution 193 Repression and Revolutionary Violence 199 5. Between Rectification and Continuity (May 1935–July 1936) 209 The Government after the October Movement 209 The CNT: Between Defence and Rectification 212 Different Places, Same Problems 215 Syndicalism on the Defensive 218 Political Ups and Downs 222 The CNT and the February Elections 225 Reconquest or Revolution 232 Reunification 237 The Zaragoza Congress 242 The Last Republican Months 253 Conclusions 263 Notes 270 Bibliography 303 Index 310 About the Author 314 The Road To Anarchy Is The Result Of An Exhaustive Investigation Into The Anarcho-syndicalist Confederacion Nacional Del Trabajo (cnt) During The Democratic Years Of The Second Republic. By Analysing The Course Of The Cnt In Terms Of Its Role In The Labour Conflict And The Internal Life And Approach Of The Organisation (its Ideology, Its Practice, Its Internal Conflicts, The Role Of The Individual And The Weight Of History) This Book Dismantles The Long-held View That The Cnt Orchestrated Three Insurrections Against The Republic. Key Is Analysis Not Only Of The Violence Of The Anarchists, But Also That Of The State. Two Crucial Themes Emerge: The 'political' Struggle Within The Organisation, And Its Involvement In The Revolution Of October 1934 And In The Events Of The Spring Of 1936. Angel Herrerin Investigates The Controversial Relations Of The Anarchists With Other Political Formations, Such As The Republicans, The Socialists, Communists And Catalans, With Whom The Anarchists Fought On The Republican Side During The Civil War. Special Attention Is Paid To The Crucial Relationship With The Socialist Trade Unions, The Union General De Trabajadores (ugt), As This Evolved From One Of Competition For Trade-union Dominance To The Acceptance Of Anarcho-syndicalist Practices By The Socialists And Collaboration Between The Two Organisations. The Book Is Based On Wide-ranging Archival Research, Including The Institute Of Social History In Amsterdam, The National Historical Archive In Spain, The Foreign Office Archives In France And Other National Archives Related To The Repression Of The Cnt, Such As Those Of The Army And Civil Guard In Spain. The Study Of The Cnt In This Timeframe Is Long Overdue; The Last Similar Study Was Undertaken By The Us Democratic Congressman John Brademas In The 1950s, A Renowned Scholar Of Spain's Social Revolution. The Road to Anarchy is the result of an exhaustive investigation into the anarcho-syndicalist Confederación Nacional del Trabajo (CNT) during the democratic years of the Second Republic. By analysing the course of the CNT in terms of its role in the labour conflict and the internal life and approach of the organisation (its ideology, its practice, its internal conflicts, the role of the individual and the weight of history) this book dismantles the long-held view that the CNT orchestrated three insurrections against the Republic. Key is analysis not only of the violence of the anarchists, but also that of the state. Two crucial themes emerge: the 'political' struggle within the organisation, and its involvement in the revolution of October 1934 and in the events of the spring of 1936.Ángel Herrerín investigates the controversial relations of the anarchists with other political formations, such as the republicans, the socialists, Communists and Catalans, with whom the anarchists fought on the republican side during the Civil War. Special attention is paid to the crucial relationship with the socialist trade unions, the Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT), as this evolved from one of competition for trade-union dominance to the acceptance of anarcho-syndicalist practices by the socialists and collaboration between the two organisations. -- Adapted from back cover