Federica Montseny : Anarchist Leader of the FAI during the Spanish Civil War

February 12, 1905 — January 14, 1994

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Montseny served as one of the FAI's prominent activists and in November of 1936, she became the first woman in Spanish history to serve as the Minister of Health. One of her most controversial accomplishments in this position was the legalization of abortion...

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From : Anarchy Archives

"...triumph over fascism alone is worth the sacrifice of our lives."

From : "Militant Anarchism and the Reality in Spain," by Federica Montseny


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About Federica Montseny

On February 12, 1905 in Madrid, Federica Montseny Mane was born into one of the most influential families in the history of the Spanish Anarchists. As the daughhter of Federico Urales (a.k.a. Juan Montseny) and Teresa Mane (a.k.a. Soledad Gustavo), she practically inherited the anarchist tradition that was prominent in her family. She began taking part in the anarchist movement at childhood, during which she assisted with anarchist propaganda. In time, Montseny's anarchist views began to resemble those of Stirner, before her, as she stressed the importance of the individual. Her strong opposition to the State led her to the proposal of a free alliance of collectives, or communes, due to her strong opposition to the State.

Montseny is said to have been involved with the FAI-Federacion Anarquista Iberica- (and is even reported to have assisted in the group's creation in 1927) although these assertions are uncertain, due to the highly clandestine nature of the organization's membership. The FAI was founded in order to maintain the integrity of the CNT to their anarchist goals that had become questionable due to their use of representative government within the organization and the fear that this structure was pushing their beliefs towards the moderate end. The organization was centered around the idea of the "affinity group": a small anarchist collective of approximately a dozen members that collaborated with other affinity groups to form a greater collective organization. They emphasized the autonomy of the individual, and vehemently maintained the organization's secrecy.

Montseny served as one of the FAI's prominent activists and in November of 1936, she became the first woman in Spanish history to serve as the Minister of Health. One of her most controversial accomplishments in this position was the legalization of abortion, as it created a schism within the anarchist movement. In 1939, Montseny left Spain for France, and maintained a successful writing career of approximately fifteen political books and fifty nonpolitical. She also served as writer and editor of the French publication, Espoir. She remained in France until her death on January 14th, 1994, leaving behind a strong tradition of Spanish anarchism and individualism.

From : Anarchy Archives

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1928
Preface: Max Nettlau, or The Choice of Modesty – Federica Montseny Blessed are those whose souls are transparent, whose lives are honest, and whose hearts are pure; for theirs is the kingdom of the earth. Blessed are those who believe in human goodness, those who preserve their illusions intact and nourish the hope that for them the doors of life will open. Blessed are those who offer the world their fraternal right hand and friendly visage, those who go with a smile on their lips and cast a light before them. And blessed, too, are those who can love those who can believe, those who can discover within the human wasteland, a tree under which their anxieties concerning their ideal, and their human desires fo... (From: TheAnarchistLibrary.org.)
"They Shall Not Pass!" They shall not pass! E'en should they win the day, Their vict'ry turns to dust and ashes still; What tho' the tyrants should our bodies slay, The spirit free lives on and 'scapes their will. It shall not be! Let them do what they may, They shall not pass! They shall not pass! E'en should they win the day, When all have given their lives for liberty, Tyrants will know the price they have to pay T'enthralled a people fighting to be free. It shall not be! Let them do what they may, They shall not pass! They shall not pass! E'en should they win the day, When men as yet unborn shall read the story, They'll judge 'twixt those who stood in (From: Anarchy Archives.)

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Quotes by Federica Montseny

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"...triumph over fascism alone is worth the sacrifice of our lives."

From : "Militant Anarchism and the Reality in Spain," by Federica Montseny

"That is why a fascist victory is impossible. Because it must not be forgotten that this is not only a civil war-a social war is also being waged. It is the war of the common people against the rich, against the militarists, against the politicians-all of whom were responsible for the misery and poverty of the proletariat."

From : "Militant Anarchism and the Reality in Spain," by Federica Montseny

"We need no messiah and no sterile conception of a god menacing us with hell and purgatory. Love, as the basis of life will bind us together."

From : "Militant Anarchism and the Reality in Spain," by Federica Montseny

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An icon of a baby.
February 12, 1905
Birth Day.

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January 14, 1994
Death Day.

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November 15, 2016; 5:29:16 PM (UTC)
Added to http://revoltlib.com.

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January 9, 2022; 5:42:05 PM (UTC)
Updated on http://revoltlib.com.

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