Manchester University Press
2 Patriots and scoundrels
Abstract
The chapter discusses recruitment and motivation in the guerrilla armies. Guerrillas have been often presented as ideological volunteers. However, most men volunteered for much more mundane reasons. The first bands were compiled by a mixture of political activists, poor peasants and professionals of violence; bandits, rustlers, gendarmes and rural guards. Some of these men joined for patriotic reasons, however, most of them were motivated by their love of violence and adventure and the hope that this new guise would guarantee their safety and allow them to continue their old trade undisturbed. Regional and kinship ties played an equally important role. The formation of the Joint Guerrilla HQ in the summer of 1943 and the advent of the British Military Mission changed the patterns of recruitment and motivation. British funds helped the resistance to attract thousands of poor peasants for whom participation in a band offered a worthwhile alternative to backbreaking labour in the fields and a boost in personal status. However, the advent of the civil war dried the pool of recruits and led the resistance to rely more and more in violence turning the guerrilla armies from an all-volunteer force to a mob of pressganged recruits.
Abstract
The chapter discusses recruitment and motivation in the guerrilla armies. Guerrillas have been often presented as ideological volunteers. However, most men volunteered for much more mundane reasons. The first bands were compiled by a mixture of political activists, poor peasants and professionals of violence; bandits, rustlers, gendarmes and rural guards. Some of these men joined for patriotic reasons, however, most of them were motivated by their love of violence and adventure and the hope that this new guise would guarantee their safety and allow them to continue their old trade undisturbed. Regional and kinship ties played an equally important role. The formation of the Joint Guerrilla HQ in the summer of 1943 and the advent of the British Military Mission changed the patterns of recruitment and motivation. British funds helped the resistance to attract thousands of poor peasants for whom participation in a band offered a worthwhile alternative to backbreaking labour in the fields and a boost in personal status. However, the advent of the civil war dried the pool of recruits and led the resistance to rely more and more in violence turning the guerrilla armies from an all-volunteer force to a mob of pressganged recruits.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Acknowledgements vi
- Abbreviations viii
- Introduction 1
- 1 The rise and origins of the People’s Armies 13
- 2 Patriots and scoundrels 71
- 3 Not by bread alone 115
- 4 Cause, comrades and faith 155
- 5 A society at war 201
- Conclusion 257
- Select bibliography 265
- Index 272
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Acknowledgements vi
- Abbreviations viii
- Introduction 1
- 1 The rise and origins of the People’s Armies 13
- 2 Patriots and scoundrels 71
- 3 Not by bread alone 115
- 4 Cause, comrades and faith 155
- 5 A society at war 201
- Conclusion 257
- Select bibliography 265
- Index 272
