In this 14th installment of Matt’s (increasingly un-) Inebriated Past series, we begin what should be a 4 part look at the Spanish Civil War. In this installment, Matt guides from through the decaying Spanish Empire of the 19th century, through the social classes of village and city, the attempts for liberal reform in the early 20th century, the roots of Spanish anarchism and socialism, and finally the establishment of the 2nd Spanish Republic setting the stage for apocalyptic conflict.
Special thanks to Travis from the (great) band Activity for the Spanish Bombs cover that anchors this ep. Check out their latest release here: https://activity.bandcamp.com/album/spirit-in-the-room
I’m just happy to hear Matt’s voice
This was great. I love him tying it all together the way he does to tell a compelling narrative about changing material conditions driving the course of political development. Plus I really feel emotionally drawn to all these instances where he talks about various left-wing political movements of the past trying to make the egalitarian message of Christianity come true by “building heaven on earth.” The story of some Spanish peasants doing the same in defiance of the clerical-backed social order is the latest example he cites.