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Hemingway's Call to Action During the Spanish Civil War

Season 1 Episode 2 | 3m 04s

As another war in Europe loomed with Adolf Hitler's rise and the spread of fascism, Hemingway told readers of "Esquire" that America shouldn't get involved. Yet when Spain found itself in the midst of civil war and fascist Francisco Franco, with the aid of Hitler and Benito Mussolini, worked to overthrow the socialist government, the author felt called to return to the country he loved.

Corporate funding for HEMINGWAY was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by the Annenberg Foundation, The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, and by ‘The Better Angels Society,’ and its members John & Leslie McQuown, the Elizabeth Ruth Wallace Living Trust, John & Catherine Debs, The Fullerton Family Charitable Trust, the Kissick Family Foundation, Gail M. Elden, Gilchrist & Amy Berg, Robert & Beverly Grappone, Mauree Jane & Mark Perry; and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PBS.
Extras
In 1946, Hemingway married Mary Welsh, a Time and Life correspondent he met during WWII.
In the summer of 1953, Ernest and Mary survived two plane crashes while in Africa.
Hemingway writes The Old Man and the Sea but is overcome by mental illness.
Hemingway, having achieved literary fame, goes to report on the Spanish Civil War.