World history is full of different expressions and idioms about which we have heard many times, but have not often wondered what they mean. Some words are familiar to us from literary works, from films or songs. There are also such expressions that brought us the First and Second World Wars, as well as civil confrontations.
Background
¡No pasaran! - What does this expression mean in Russia, learned thanks to Spain. Although in fact it first became known thanks to the French, and it was not quite like the Spanish version. Ils ne passeront pas! translated as "There is no passage!" and was first used in 1916.
This political slogan appeared during the First World War, or rather, in the battle of Verdun, which took place for almost 10 months: from February 21 to December 18. This battle was one of the largest and most terrible, so it went down in history as a Verdun meat grinder. Thanks to the right actions, the French were able to stop the Germans.
It was at that time that the famous French general Robert Georges Nivelles, who, although he preferred aggressive actions, nevertheless took a defensive position, said "There is no passage!"
Now it’s hard to say before or after Nivelles these words began to appear on propaganda posters. But already in 1918, On ne passe pas! could be seen on a poster about the second battle on the Marne. Also, the idiom began to be used on the garrison sign.
Fame
Eyeless ¡No pasaran! (translation from Spanish - “They will not pass”) became known just during the Civil War in Spain. Her events took place from July 1936 to April 1939. Then the conflict between the Second Spanish Republic and the rebel Franco escalated into terrible armed action.
It is known that Francisco Franco was the initiator of fascism in Spain. He was supported by Italy, Germany and Portugal. Therefore, it is not surprising that in the pre-war time he decided to seize power in Spain, so that later he could conquer the world on the side of Hitler.
Women's fate
During the Civil War, Francists approached the capital. But anti-fascist forces were ready for defense. The author of the phrase ¡No pasaran !, which means "They will not pass!" became an oppositionist of the dictatorship Franco Dolores Ibarruri. Also at that time it was often called Passionaria.
The woman had a very difficult fate, like any other active politician of that time. After Franco reached the capital, she had to migrate to the USSR. She lived there until 1975, after the death of Franco was able to return to her native land.
Political slogan
After the Civil War, many learned about the phrase ¡No pasaran !, which means this slogan and by whom it was first applied. Dolores made the phrase more than idiomatic. She turned ordinary words into a symbol of the whole anti-fascist movement. During Franco’s first attempt to take over the country, this phrase was successful. The fascist had to stop the offensive. And the opponents of his dictatorship came up with another slogan ¡Pasaremos !, who did not receive such popularity as ¡No pasaran !, which means "We will pass!"
Sad ending
As you know, the first time Madrid resisted the Nazis. But as a result of the Civil War in Spain, Francisco Franco nevertheless became the dictator of Spain and was him until 1975, until his death. 4 days before the end of the war, the dictator uttered a response phrase - Hemos pasado, which meant "We passed."
Other options
As we have already figured out, the phrase ¡No pasaran !, which means “They won’t pass!” Was used during the Spanish Civil War. Some mistakenly combine this political slogan with Viva la Cuba !. In fact, these are two separate phrases that were used at different times and are not officially recorded together anywhere.
In general, the history of the Cuban revolution has preserved several well-known slogans that have turned into generally accepted idioms. Many of them were very aggressive and defiant. For example, ¡Cuba - sí! ¡Yankee - no! or Yankee go home !. Also in Cuba, they often used Patria o muerte! ("Homeland or Death!").
Soviet and post-Soviet expressions were also very popular. They were not always militant. Some glorified power: "All power to the Soviets!" Some called for action: "Learn, study, study." There were also those who, on the contrary, called for peace: “Peace be peace!” or "Peace, Labor, May."