Pedro Vallina facts for kids

Pedro Vallina Martínez (born in Guadalcanal, Spain, in 1879 – died in Veracruz, Mexico, in 1970) was a Spanish doctor. He was also an anarchist, which means he believed in a society without a government. He studied medicine in different cities like Sevilla, Cádiz, Paris, and London. He had to live away from Spain in Paris and London because of his political beliefs. From a young age, he became interested in anarchism, especially after meeting Fermín Salvochea. Because of his political activities, he was put in prison and sent out of the country many times.

About Pedro Vallina

His Early Life and Education

Pedro Vallina was born into a family that was quite well-off. His parents owned a candy shop. In his home region of Andalusia, many people believed in a type of government called federal republicanism. Because his family had money, Pedro and his siblings could learn about new and progressive ideas.

When he was young, he moved to Seville to start studying medicine. He already thought of himself as an anarchist. At 19, he went to Cádiz and met Fermín Salvochea, who had just been released from prison. A year later, they both went to Madrid. There, Vallina joined groups that believed in anarchism. He also became friends with Nicolás Salmerón y García.

Facing Problems and Exile

While in Madrid, Pedro Vallina got into trouble with the law. For example, he was involved in a plan to attack the coronation day of King Alfonso XIII. This plan failed, and he spent some time in prison. In 1902, he had to leave Spain and went to Paris, France.

He continued his revolutionary activities in France. There, he met important people like Louise Michel. Because of his actions, the French government also made him leave the country. In 1906, he found safety in England as a political refugee. At that time, England was a place where revolutionaries from all over the world could find shelter. They were allowed to stay as long as they did not plot against the British government.

He settled in London and often visited the city's Jewish Anarchist Circle. He met famous anarchists like Rudolf Rocker, Errico Malatesta, and Piotr Kropotkin. He also continued his medical studies while living there.

Returning to Spain

Soon after World War I began, Pedro Vallina was given permission to return to Spain. However, he kept up his political activities. In 1919, he was sent to live in Peñalsordo, a town in Badajoz. This was a type of internal exile, meaning he had to stay in a specific place within Spain. Because the local people treated him well, he was later moved to other towns in Extremadura and Navarra.

Around this time, he joined the Confederación Nacional del Trabajo (CNT). This was a large workers' union. He became part of its main committee in Seville. During the time when Spain was ruled by a dictator named Primo de Rivera, Vallina was put in prison again. Later, he was sent to live in Tangier and Casablanca.

Before this exile, he used money from people who subscribed to his newspaper, "El Noticiero Sevillano". In 1923, he created the "Vida" Tuberculosis Sanatorium near Cantillana. This was his mother's hometown. At the sanatorium, he gave free medical care to sick people who could not afford it. As a doctor, he believed it was important to cure diseases. But he also thought it was important to fight against the reasons why people got sick in the first place. He returned to live at the Sanatorium after the Second Spanish Republic was declared in 1932.

He helped connect a revolutionary group in Madrid with people in Seville. This group worked to declare the Second Republic. Pedro Vallina spent much of his life during the Second Republic at the Cantillana Tuberculosis Sanatorium. He continued his work as a doctor, which was a key part of his belief in human-focused anarchism.

Spanish Civil War and Second Exile

When the Spanish Civil War began, Pedro Vallina actively helped defend the Republic. When the military started an uprising against the Republic, he escaped to the area controlled by the Republic. He helped organize resistance in different towns. He took part in the fighting as a militiaman, which is like a soldier, and also as a doctor.

He became the Director of the "El Cañizar" military hospital. He helped set up this hospital in Cañete (Cuenca). There, he cared for soldiers wounded on the war front between Cuenca and Teruel.

After the Republic lost the war, he crossed the border into France. He was held in a camp there for a short time. But he managed to get on a boat to Mexico. In Mexico, he worked as a doctor for local communities until he passed away in 1970.

See also

In Spanish: Pedro Vallina para niños