Many Canadian volunteers were members of the Communist Party of Canada. In general, they were self-educated about the conflict in Spain, and about the possible repercussions for Europe and the world. Many other groups also supported the Spanish Republicans and organized the Committee to Support Spanish Democracy. A good percentage of those Canadians who enlisted had been born in Europe, the two largest groups being Finns and Ukrainians. As casualties mounted in Spain, many Spanish volunteers and later conscripts were incorporated into the unit.