Women at war: the IBMT's new teaching resource

David Grant, a former teacher and now a PhD student at the University of Leeds, introduces a new schools module focusing on women's roles in the Spanish Civil War…

Members and supporters may already be familiar with the excellent teaching resources on the IBMT website: Why did so many people volunteer to fight in the Spanish Civil War? The IBMT is now pleased to announce a recently added unit, titled Women and the Spanish Civil War. The units are designed to be taught in UK state schools in History lessons for students aged 13 to 14.

Historians have generally overlooked the role of women in the Spanish Civil War, with some notable exceptions, such as Angela Jackson, Linda Palfreeman and Emily Mason. Moreover, the war itself is rarely taught in secondary schools – and the part women played in that conflict, probably not at all, being overshadowed by the two world wars and the rise of fascism and Nazism.

The Spanish Civil War is an inspiring and engaging topic that allows school students to explore an overlooked aspect of 20th century history. The subject is important considering the significant contributions women made during the war, both in their home countries and in Spain.

British nurses in Spain.

The teaching aid focuses primarily on women from Britain, but also references volunteers from Australia, Spain and the US. The changing status of women in society is well illustrated by the variety of volunteer roles carried out during the Spanish Civil War, which included nursing, administration, fundraising, campaign organising, supporting refugees and, in some cases, fighting in militia units.

Both sets of materials available on the website were written by current and former history teachers. The IBMT also welcomed the input and advice of academic specialists at the University of Leeds.

Although it is recognised that in England, as opposed to the rest of the UK, the National Curriculum is heavily prescribed, it is hoped that teachers can find space in their non-statutory optional units to offer opportunities for their students to learn about the Spanish Civil War.

A slide from the PowerPoint presentation.

With this in mind, the materials provided consist of guidance notes for teachers, a knowledge organiser, a PowerPoint, short biographies of many of the women volunteers and a Historical Enquiry booklet containing source material and questions.

The resources will hopefully guide students to reach a better understanding of this important but neglected event in history while providing supporting materials to enable educators to effectively deliver the unit in the classroom.

If you are not a History or Humanities teacher yourself but know someone who is, please bring this new and exciting resource to their attention so they can share the inspirational stories of the International Brigades with their students.

This latest addition to the Trust’s online Education pages is part of the IBMT’s Schools Project, which aims to help teachers bring the story of the Spanish Civil War into classrooms. It has received funding from the Lipman-Miliband Trust and individual donations from IBMT members.