Presenter Information

Rachel Williams - Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

Abstract

The Spanish Civil War, which took place from 1936 to 1939, had a deep and lasting impact on Spain. During this hard time of the nation's history, when the country was divided by The Nationalists (Los Nacionalistas) and The Republicans (Los Republicanos), emerged a group of young women who, against all odds, decided to fight against their oppressors. This courageous group, many still teenagers, started a fight against the right-wing party, Los Nacionalistas. Rooted in opposition to what would become a long-lasting military dictatorship, each woman brought a unique perspective to the fight. In fact, for almost four decades Spaniards would struggle to find independence and freedom under the dictatorship of Nationalist leader Francisco Franco. As the Civil War raged on, it became clear that each woman’s individual story was about to change – for better or for worse. On August 5th, 1939 the thirteen women were executed by the Nationalists in the Eastern Madrid Cemetery, however their stories survived. Each person's story is unique in nature yet united by passion to fight for what is fair and right. As time passed, the women became known as the Thirteen Roses (Las Trece Rosas), inspiring literature, art, and cinema; yet, today many people are still unfamiliar with this story. It is a story that needs to be passed along to each generation, especially to women, to ensure a future world filled with justice, respect, and tolerance.

School

McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Advisor

Dr. Lucia Osa-Melero

Submission Type

Paper

Publication Date

2017-04-05

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Apr 5th, 12:00 AM

La Guerra Civil Española y sus Trece Rosas: The Spanish Civil War and Their Thirteen Roses

The Spanish Civil War, which took place from 1936 to 1939, had a deep and lasting impact on Spain. During this hard time of the nation's history, when the country was divided by The Nationalists (Los Nacionalistas) and The Republicans (Los Republicanos), emerged a group of young women who, against all odds, decided to fight against their oppressors. This courageous group, many still teenagers, started a fight against the right-wing party, Los Nacionalistas. Rooted in opposition to what would become a long-lasting military dictatorship, each woman brought a unique perspective to the fight. In fact, for almost four decades Spaniards would struggle to find independence and freedom under the dictatorship of Nationalist leader Francisco Franco. As the Civil War raged on, it became clear that each woman’s individual story was about to change – for better or for worse. On August 5th, 1939 the thirteen women were executed by the Nationalists in the Eastern Madrid Cemetery, however their stories survived. Each person's story is unique in nature yet united by passion to fight for what is fair and right. As time passed, the women became known as the Thirteen Roses (Las Trece Rosas), inspiring literature, art, and cinema; yet, today many people are still unfamiliar with this story. It is a story that needs to be passed along to each generation, especially to women, to ensure a future world filled with justice, respect, and tolerance.

 

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