La unidad imposible. Víctimas de la escasez y enfrentamientos internos en la retaguardia republicana

Abstract

This article addresses the concept of the victim in the context of the Spanish Civil War, expanding its definition beyond those directly affected by physical violence. It argues that the civilian population, especially in the Republican rear, suffered greatly due to factors such as the loss of housing, forced displacement, food shortages, and the destruction of healthcare systems. These effects, while not always immediate or visible, had long-lasting consequences on people's lives, creating a form of "slow violence," a concept introduced by Rob Nixon to describe the prolonged effects of disasters, such as scarcity and hunger. Through this approach, the article analyzes the difficulties in accessing consumer goods during the war, interpreted as frictional violence, whose repercussions extended over years and affected the daily lives of the population. The article also explores how the victims of this prolonged violence constructed narratives to explain and cope with their suffering, initially blaming the enemy and, over time, shifting the blame to other regions and actors within the rear. The cases of Madrid and Castilla-La Mancha are examined, highlighting how these divisions and mutual distrust influenced social and political relations during the conflict.

Keywords: Slow violence, Victim, Hunger, Republican rear, Conflict.