Metadata Librarian
The Abraham Lincoln Brigade
The Abraham Lincoln Brigade was a group of American volunteers who fought in the Spanish Civil War in 1936-1938. The brigade, part of the larger International Brigades volunteer corps, comprised of 2800 Americans fighting for the Spanish Republicans against General Franco's Nationalist forces.
The corps integrated black and white soldiers and promoted a black commander, Oliver Law, in 1937 (read more about Law here).
Many Americans saw this as an opportunity to fight fascism. Volunteers were recruited by the U.S. Communist party, which aided the Spanish Republicans in their fight against Franco's uprising.
Calling for international aid
“The Internationals—United with the Spaniards We Fight the Invader,” poster by Parrilla, published by the International Brigades, 1936–37. Courtesy of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives, Brandeis University Library
Other International Brigades
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The Dimitrov Battalion
First-hand accounts
Glossary
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International BrigadesForeign aid to the Republicans during the Spanish Civil War was provided by the International Brigades, a group of international volunteers from many countries including the U.S., Canada, Britain, Ireland, France, Belgium, and the Balkan States of Greece, Yugoslavia, and Bulgaria.
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Spanish Civil WarFought between the Spanish Republicans and a Nationalist rebel military faction led by General Franco, the Spanish Civil War lasted from 1936-1938 and led to years of fascist rule in Spain. The conflict is widely seen as a precursor to World War II.
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CominternComintern, or Communist International, was an association of national Communist parties that was instrumental in recruiting volunteers to the International Brigades.