Keepsakes of the Revolution

Abstract

This chapter examines the literature produced by the CNT-FAI during the Spanish Civil War, with a focus on Estampas de la Revolución Española and ¿España? Un libro de imágenes sobre cuentos de miedo y calumnias fascistas. The author shows that the revolutionary narrative had the power to generate considerable media interest and mobilize public support beyond anarchist circles. However, the Foreign Propaganda Office failed to capitalize on the strengths of existing networks across the United States at a time of increased collaboration between Hispanic and non-Hispanic anarchist groups. As head of the Foreign Propaganda Office, Augustin Souchy developed and sought to carry out a propaganda production and distribution strategy that relied heavily on his links to anarchist networks across Europe, particularly in France and Sweden, while all but neglecting the renewed strength of the movement in North America.