‘What Have You Done for Victory?’ - A Cultural History of the Spanish Civil War

The Spanish Civil War (1936–9) inspired an extraordinary range of cultural production, from literature, theatre, cinema, journalism and radio to visual art, song, dance, memoir and comics. This book – the first comprehensive study of the war's cultural output – considers works by both Spanish and foreign supporters of the Republic and Franco’s forces, with particular attention paid to women’s contributions, to reveal a conflict more complex than conventional narratives suggest. The book highlights how culture became a weapon in the fight against fascism while reflecting the passions, anxieties and ideals of the era and since. By combining well-known and lesser-known works across all media, it offers a nuanced and accessible portrait of a global struggle that continues to shape our understanding of political and cultural engagement.