POUMs

The Workers' Party of Marxist Unification, or POUM, was a Spanish political party active during the 1930s. It was founded in 1935 through the merger of two smaller Marxist groups, the Workers' and Peasants' Bloc and the Communist Left of Spain. The POUM identified as Marxist-Leninist but was critical of the Soviet Union's policies and the direction of the Communist International, particularly under Stalin's leadership.

The party drew its support primarily from the industrial working class and intellectuals in Catalonia and Aragon. During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), the POUM participated in the Republican government and fought against the Nationalist forces. They played a significant role in the defense of Barcelona in the early days of the war. However, their independent stance and criticism of Soviet influence led to increasing friction with the Spanish Communist Party (PCE) and Soviet agents.

In May 1937, during the Barcelona May Days uprising, the POUM was accused by the PCE of being counter-revolutionary and Trotskyist. This led to their suppression by the Republican government, which was heavily influenced by the PCE. Many POUM leaders and members were arrested, imprisoned, and some were executed. The party was effectively dismantled. Despite its short existence, the POUM remains a notable example of a dissident Marxist current within the Spanish revolutionary movement of the 1930s.