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Portugal and the Spanish Civil War
Members of the Algarve Archeological Association took the opportunity this month, to listen to Chris Pollard at the Sao Bras Museum. Chris is a thoughtful, clear speaker, so his presentation about Portugal’s relationship with Spain especially during the 1920’s and 30’s, held people’s attention, with numerous questions being asked. Chris began by explaining the political context that led up to the Spanish civil war. In 1920, Andalusia alone, was owned by just 11 landowners. Peasants worked the land. Although tacitly neutral, World war I (1914-1918) found Spain divided, with conservatives, Church and Army, leaning towards Germany. 1917 witnessed four governments and a succession of labour crises. In 1919, strikes…