during the spanish civil war (1936-1939) people from countries all over the world came to spain to fight against franco's fascist forces. they were called to their 'moral duty' to fight against franco's armiES by several pamPHlets. The slogan 'If you tolerate this your children will be next' was printed on a REPUBLICAN pamphlet to call english men to join the war. On this pamflet a picture WAS printed of a child ill-cheated by the fascists.the song if you tolerate this your children will be next is about the spanish civil war and the positive ethos of principles people had in that time.you can read about the spanish civil war in george orwell's report homage to catalonia and in lewis jones' 'we live'.