James Maley and the Spanish Civil War

• In April 2007, during a cup-tie game between Celtic and St. Johnstone, banners were unveiled at Hampden Park.
• The banners quoted a Spanish slogan from the Spanish Civil War: "James Maley R.I.P." and "No pasarán" ("They shall not pass").
• James Maley was a Glasgow native and life-long Celtic fan who died on April 9, 2007.
• The enquiry aims to find out why James Maley went to Spain in 1936.
• Discover what was happening in Spain in 1936 and how it foreshadowed WWII.
• It will help in understanding why people in Glasgow in the 21st century might still be proud of what James did in 1936.
• James' story was put into a song 'These Hands' by The Wakes from Glasgow.

'These Hands' Song Lyrics

• The lyrics described a veteran with a red star on their chest from fighting in Spain.
• The song references leaving Glasgow for war-torn Spain as socialist fighters from a Scottish Brigade wanting freedom & justice.
• The men fought fascists at Jarama, Spain, until death.
• They lacked bullets, were captured by Franco's men, and imprisoned in Salamanca, Spain.

European Politics in the 1930s

• Understanding European politics in the 1930s is crucial to understanding James Maley's motivations.

USSR and Communism

• In the 1930s, the USSR was communist since the Russian Revolution of 1917.
• Josef Stalin was a dictator who led the Soviet Union, while all alternative political parties were banned.
• Citizens had few rights and the government tightly controlled their lives.
• Police could arrest and detain anyone suspected of 'crimes against the state'.
• Suspects often were executed or sent to Gulags.
• The state controlled all property, businesses, and industry with limited rights for citizens.

Spain and Socialism

• In February 1936, the Spanish Popular Front led by Manuel Azaña gained power.
• The aim was to achieve social reform through parliamentary means, not violent revolution.
• Reforms included extending the rights of women, initiating agriculture reform for agricultural workers and army downsizing.

Nazi Germany and Fascism

• Since January 1933, the Nazi Party controlled Germany under Adolf Hitler.
• Hitler became dictator after enabled by the passing of the Enabling Act in March 1933.
• All competing political parties were banned.
• While Germans could own property, the state controlled major industry and war materials.

Fascist Italy

• Italy had been under Benito Mussolini's fascist leadership since 1922.
• The leader controlled everything, there were no free elections and all political parties were banned.
• Italian police could arrest anyone suspected of 'crimes against the state'.
• Private ownership of property and businesses was partially allowed.

United Kingdom and Democracy

• Democratic countries allowed citizens to elect their leaders every four or five years.
• While the British monarchy existed, its power was weak.
• Parliament made laws, including basic rights like free speech, freedom of the press, and a fair trial.
• Police had limited power and were accountable to the government.
• British people could generally own private property and businesses.

Spanish Civil War

• The Popular Front won the elections in Spain of 1936 under Manuel Azana leading to reforms.
• On July 17, 1936, army leaders led by General Franco launched a coup to overthrow the government initiating the Spanish Civil War.
• The Nationalist side was a right-wing coalition of fascists/monarchists, supported by the army.
• The opposition supported the new Socialist Republic.
• Franco had military help from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy.
• Hitler sent planes and pilots to transport the Spanish right-wing to Spain from Morocco.
• From October 1936, The Republic received aid from Communist Russia in tandem with volunteers going to protect the socialist government.
• These volunteers formed the International Brigades, which included one of the volunteers, James Maley.
• Madrid fell to the Nationalists in 1939 leading to the end of the Spanish Civil War.
• Spain became a fascist country under General Franco until his death in 1975
• The Republicans lost key battles such as the Battle of Ebro in 1938, causing the International Brigades to depart Spain.
• In Summer 1937, the Republicans lost the city of Bilbao.
• In 1937, the Nationalists launched a huge offence on Madrid but were resisted by the International Brigades
• Later in the year, the Republicans suffered heavy losses in the bombing of Guernica.

James Maley's Story

• James Maley was born on February 19, 1908, to a poor family in the Calton, Glasgow.
• He was one of nine children, and had to support his mother, who was a street hawker
• James came from avid Celtic supporters.
• James moved to America after his father died in 1929 and worked in a car factory.
• He returned to Scotland from America in 1930, disliking the racist attitudes towards immigrants.
• This gave him a hatred of racism.
• James joined the Communist Party at 24 becoming a public speaker at Glasgow Green in 1932.
• He spoke out against fascism and criticized government for not helping the poor during The Great Depression.
• James volunteered to fight in the Spanish Civil War in the International Brigades.
• Leaving Glasgow by bus to London, he travelled to France before being guided over the Pyrenees into Spain in 1936.
• James fought in the Battle of Jarama.
• Out of 500 on February 12 1937, 125 were killed and a similar amount were wounded and James was captured by the machine-gun company.
• James was moved to a concentration camp at Talavera de la Reina in ruins of an old pottery factory just outside of Madrid.
• James and others were found guilty of "aiding a military rebellion" and sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment.
• James was released as apart of a prisoner exchange programme for Italians released by the Socialists.
• He continued to campaign and spoke out in support of Spain and worked as a labourer.
• In 1941, James joined the army during the War of the Second World and served in India and Burma.
• James remained a loyal Celtic football club supporter.