The Stranglers of the Spanish People (1937)

This map was published by the Propaganda Commission of the Generalitat of Catalonia in 1937 with the full title The stranglers of the Spanish people. The real reasons behind false neutrality.

This poster, published during the Spanish Civil War by the Republican side, is a direct complaint against false international neutrality. In 1937, European powers signed a non-intervention treaty, but this map shows how many countries and foreign companies continued to participate with the Nationalist side during the Civil War.

The map traces multiple lines connecting power stations, industries, and railways with foreign companies or states with a direct interest. Among the countries involved, this map mentions Portugal, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy.

In a way, this work by the Propaganda Commissariat suggests that the non-intervention treaty actually sought to protect the interests of companies and countries, without the slightest concern for the future of the Spanish people.

Sources

• The Stranglers of the Spanish People: the real reasons behind the false neutrality are the international interests invested in Spain.