Spanish Civil War History Project at University of South Florida | Spanish Civil War History Project Collections

Spanish Civil War History Project

The Spanish Civil War History Project documented the response of the Tampa Spanish immigrant community to the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). The project was partially funded by grants from the Program for Cultural Cooperation between Spain's Ministry of Culture and United States' Universities and from the Florida Humanities Council. The physical collection consists of photos and memorabilia concerning the Spanish Civil War, including an original flag of the Republic of Spain prior to the war and can be viewed by visiting the USF Tampa Library Special Collections Reading Room. The online collection also includes audio created through the Spanish Civil War Oral History Project.

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Manifesto: a todos los que simpatizaron durante la guerra con el gobierno leal de republica espanola

El Cuerpo Ejecutive del Capitulo de Tampa
Letter, Albacete, Spain, to Victoriano Manteiga

Jose Garcia Granell, Victoriano Manteiga, and Roland Manteiga

Last page of letter in Spanish that was probably written to Victoriano Manteiga, the editor of the Tampa newspaper La Gaceta. This page is the only one extant. The text reads: "... I am bound to the cause of the Democratic Spanish Republic and only Spain can give me orders. I live to serve her, and I am happy serving her and knowing that as long as the Republic needs me, I'll be at her service until death, now and forever." Handwritten on stationery with letterhead Comisariado General de Guerra, Ministerio de Defensa Nacional, Casa del Ejercito Popular.
[Manifesto] - España 1936--Tampa 1940

Roland Manteiga

Tract in support of Mariano Rodríguez, union leader and former treasurer of the Tampa Democratic Popular Committee to Aid Spain. The manifesto also urges Tampa workers to continue their efforts to help exiles and refugees from the Spanish Civil War.
[Postcard] - El pueblo de Cuba socorre amorosamente a la infancia española: ayúdenos a hacerle un 1938 más grato

Roland Manteiga

Advertising postcard of the Cuban organization that helped Spanish children during the Civil War. The front of the card contains a photo of two infants, with the picture surrounded by drawings of planes and bombs. The message at the bottom translates as: The people of Cuba lovingly succor the Spanish children. Help us make 1938 a more pleasant year for them.
Tampa Democratic Popular Committee: Video

Armando Menendez

Video of support activities of the Tampa Democratic Popular Committee.
Tampa Democratic Popular Committee: Video

Armando Menendez

Video of support activities of the Tampa Democratic Popular Committee.
[Flier] - Soldado: Prevente contra las enfermedades venéreas

Spain. Jefatura de Sanidad del Ejército de Tierra

A message from the Army's health office, warning soldiers to guard against venereal disease.
Balchowsky, Ed: Video

Unknown

A segment from Forever Activist featuring Abraham Lincoln Brigade veteran Ed Balchowsky.
Shulevitch, Yekhiel: Video

Unknown

Interview of Abraham Lincoln Brigade veteran Yekhiel Shulevitch.
Frye Interview Excerpt: Video

Unknown

Video interview excerpt of Frye speaking about fascism and the Spanish Civil War in Madrid's Plaza Major in the fall of 1986.
Prago, Al: Interview Excerpt, video

Unknown

Video interview excerpt of Al Prago in Madrid in fall 1986.
Program - Benefit for Centro Español Sección de Damas de Protección y Auxilio

Centro Español de Tampa

Program for a performance benefitting Sección de Damas de Protección y Auxilio of Centro Español in Tampa, held May 13, 1943 at Teatro Casino. The performance featured the premiere of the comedy play "Tu seras mio," plus variety acts. The cover features a picture of Ramón Fernández Rey, president of Centro Español, with the headline: El Presidente amado por todos.
[Pamphlet] - La civilizacion y la paz

Armando Florial and Roland Manteiga

Cover of the booklet La civilización y la paz, by Armando Florial. The work analyzes the situation in Europe, and particularly the Nazi and Fascist intervention in the Spanish Civil War. It is dedicated to the Group "La Riscossa" [The Insurrection], an Italian antifascist group organized in Tampa around 1923.
[Program] - Gran tendia social

Alice Menéndez and Loyal Knights of America (Tampa, Fla.)

Program of an event organized by the Loyal Knights of America in Tampa, held Friday, Sept. 9, 1938. The program lists songs, speeches, and "sorpresa" (surprise).
[Program] - Velada commemorativa del sexto aniversario de la República Española

Centro Asturiano de Tampa and Spain. Consulado (Tampa, Fla.)

Program for an event commemorating the sixth anniversary of the proclamation of the Spanish Republic, held Apr. 14, 1937 at Centro Asturiano de Tampa. The cover of the program is a reproduction of the Spanish Republican flag.
Letter, 1937 Jan. 11, Washington, D.C., to Ramón Oural

Harry A. Havens and Ramón Oural

Letter in English from the Acting Chief of the Division of Foreign Service Administration, U.S. Dept. of State, concerning the accounting paperwork for the money Ramón Oural deposited for payment to his wife to bring her and their children back to the U.S.
[Flier] - Grandiosa función organizada por el Frente Popular a beneficio del regalo de las máquinas de coser

Alice Menéndez and Centro Asturiano de Tampa

Flier announcing a performance of the one-act play "Los heroes de Madrid," written by Tampa cigarmaker J.M. Gil., to be held at the theater in Centro Asturiano de Tampa on Sunday, Sept. 26, 1937. Proceeds from the performance would be used by the Democratic Popular Committee to Aid Spain to purchase sewing machines to send to Republican Spain.
[Program] - Gran picnic a beneficio de la Sección de Propaganda

Alice Menéndez and Centro Asturiano de Tampa

Program for a picnic to benefit the Sección de Propaganda of Centro Asturiano de Tampa, held May 2, 1937. The cover of the program is designed as a reproduction of the Spanish Republican flag, showing the community's support for the Spanish Republic.
[Flier] - Gran funcion teatral

Alice Menéndez and Centro Asturiano de Tampa. Sección de Damas

Flier announcing a performance at the theatre in Centro Asturiano de Tampa, to be held Sunday, Apr. 25, 1937. The performance was sponsored by la Sección de Damas (Women's Section) of Centro Asturiano as a benefit to purchase milk for children in Spain during the Civil War. The bottom of the flier notes that children under 12 would be admitted free if they donated a can of milk.
[Ticket] - Gran pic-nic que se celebrara en La Columna Park

Alice Menéndez and Loyal Knights of America (Tampa, Fla.)

Ticket for picnic sponsored by Loyal Knights of America, held Sunday, May 23, 1937 in Tampa. Back of ticket contains lyrics by Carmen Ramirez to the song "La orgía dorada" (commonly known in Tampa as 'El Miliciano"). The song, honoring the Loyalist troops who defended the Spanish Republic during the Civil War, was one of the songs often sung at events sponsored by the Democratic Popular Committee to Aid Spain.
[Flier] - Gran funcion a beneficio de los huerfanos de España

Alice Menéndez; Loyal Knights of America (Tampa, Fla.); and Centro Asturiano de Tampa

Flier announcing a performance by Seccion Juvenil (Youth Section) of Loyal Knights of America, to be held at the theatre in Centro Asturiano de Tampa on Sunday, Jan. 24, 1937. The show was a benefit for Spanish children left orphaned by the Civil War.
Letter, 1937 Aug. 2, New York, to José Martinez

José Menéndez, José Martinez, and Roland Manteiga

Letter in Spanish regarding the purchase of ambulances to be sent to the Spanish Red Cross. José Menéndez was one of the members of the New York delegation of the Tampa Democratic Popular Committee to Aid Spain that was in charge of purchasing four ambulances that the Committee sent to the Spanish Red Cross in September 1937. Letter written on the stationery of La Naviera Coffee Mills.
Letter, 1937 Aug. 18, Madrid, Spain, to Victoriano Manteiga

Felipe Rojas, Victoriano Manteiga, and Roland Manteiga

Letter in Spanish to the editor of the Tampa newspaper La Gaceta, who was a prominent member of the Democratic Popular Committee to Aid Spain. Felipe Rojas was one of the Tampans who joined the Abraham Lincoln Brigade and fought to defend the Spanish Republic against the forces of General Francisco Franco. In the letter, Rojas asks Manteiga to send copies of La Gaceta to his brigade. Handwritten on stationery with letterhead 24 Brigada Mixta, Batallón no.93.
Letter, 1937 Apr. 14, Washington, D.C., to Ramón Oural

United States. Department of State

Letter in English from the Acting Chief of the Division of Foreign Service Administration, U.S. Dept. of State, detailing further accounting paperwork for the money Ramón Oural deposited for payment to his wife to bring her and their children back to the U.S. Page 1 of a 2 page letter.