1940: Communism

In 1940 Communism continued the line of policy which it had adopted in August, 1939, when it suddenly changed from a policy of concerted resistance to Fascist aggression toward one of connivance with Fascist aggression combined with official neutrality in the struggle between the Fascist aggressor nations and the democracies. From 1933 to 1939 Communists had vituperated democratic statesmen for their policy of appeasement and non-resistance to Fascist and more especially National Socialist aspirations. Now they accused the democratic statesmen, who refused to appease National Socialist Germany and went to war against her, as warmongers. Suddenly the struggle against Fascism and for democracy had become a war of two imperialisms, between which there was not much to choose and from which the Communists remained theoretically aloof, though in reality they definitely supported the Fascist side, especially through the means of their propaganda.

The political lead given by the Soviet Union was faithfully and unquestioningly followed by the Communist parties throughout the world, whose orientation was centered entirely on Moscow and on the interests of the Soviet Union in each concrete situation. Yet while the Soviet Union armed itself to the teeth, regimented the life of the whole population for that purpose, and subordinated the economic process and social services of all kind entirely to the needs of war preparedness, the Communist party in the democracies fought bitterly against any similar measures adopted by the democracies. It opposed the introduction of conscription and any changes in the economic set-up necessary for the release of full energy in the defense program. As Communism and Fascism cooperated, to a certain extent, on the world stage, so in each democratic country the Communist elements frequently joined the extreme reactionary and Rightist elements in a common fight against the revitalization of democracy and its preparation for resistance to Fascist aggression.

Soviet Training of Youth.

Following the general tendency, the Soviet Union curtailed free higher education which had formerly been part of the Communist program, insisted upon discipline in the schools and among the youth, stressed the importance of military drill and military games for the youth of the country, and demanded, in addition to the conscript service in the army, a long-term forced labor service from young men between 14 and 19. A state labor reserve corps was formed on a semi-military basis, in which the boys are to perform four years work, after having previously gone through industrial or trade courses of varying lengths of from six months to two years. Every year 800,000 to 1,000,000 boys are to be called up for this service, which was established in November 1940. Boys and girls who wish to continue their education in high schools or colleges will have to pay for that privilege, the school fees running from 150 to 500 rubles a year. The liberal grant of scholarships was abandoned. The younger children from 9 to 14, who form part of the 'Pioneer' youth organization, were reminded that Pioneers must be disciplined. They were taught to use always the Pioneer salute of five fingers outspread and hand raised over the head, and the Pioneer greeting of 'Be ready!' with the reply, 'Always ready!'

Soviet Army Changes.

As drastic as the reform of the educational system was the reform of the army, when on May 9 the powers of the political Commissars were ended and full authority was restored to the military officers. The rank and titles of 'General' and 'Admiral' were reintroduced, and the needs of strict military discipline emphasized. This conservative trend was welcomed by the Soviet press, which now regarded the former progressive and liberal attitudes in education and the army as 'ossified dogmas.' The policy of the Soviet Union in 1940 seemed to be based upon keeping out of the war, but at the same time upon being prepared to the utmost for war. While in the years before 1939 there had been a relatively large amount of free contact between the Soviet Union and the outside world, this contact stopped almost entirely after 1938. The Soviet Union secluded itself completely, and a censorship of unprecedented strictness did not allow any reliable reports on the situation in the country to get abroad.

Territorial Expansion of Soviet Union.

At the same time new territory was included within the Soviet Union. There was the acquisition of Eastern Poland, which had become a part of the Soviet Union following Germany's conquest of the country in September, 1939; Southern Finland was ceded to the Soviet Union in the peace treaty of March 12, 1940, after Russia's hard-fought aggressive warfare in that peace-loving republic; the three republics of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia 'asked' on July 21 for incorporation within the Soviet Union, after having been occupied by Soviet troops; and on June 28 Rumania ceded to the Soviet Union Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina. In all these territories the existing order was completely changed in accordance with Communist principles.

Communism Elsewhere.

Communist parties outside the Soviet Union were legal only in democratic states. In all Fascist states and in all states which were brought under direct or indirect Fascist control by conquest or occupation, Communist parties and all their activities were strictly forbidden. In France the Communist party worked under great restrictions during the whole period of the war; with the advent of the government of Marshal Pétain the Communist party was outlawed in France. Of the democratic countries, Switzerland forbade all Communist activities and publications and declared the Communist party illegal. In Great Britain, however, in spite of the war and grave danger to the existence of Great Britain, the Communist party was allowed to continue its activities although they were openly directed against the interests of national defense and seemed to aim at the undermining of the morale of the population. The success of this propaganda was, however, very limited and the Communist party was unable to increase its inconsiderable strength in Great Britain even in the face of the many privations caused by war.

In the United States the Communist party was fairly active in 1940, especially through its close collaboration with some pacifist and some semi-Fascist organizations in attacking national defense, and in fighting for an American isolationist policy and an abandonment of democracy outside the United States to Fascist aggression. By that cooperation the Communist party was able to maintain an influence, often through unsuspecting persons, much beyond its own numerical strength. Communists were active not only in all kinds of 'peace mobilizations' and 'Keep America out of war' efforts, but also in some forms of organized youth movements, where the presence of conscious and unconscious 'fellow travelers' led to much bitter controversy. Actually the number of Communists in the United States probably diminished in 1940, both as a result of the Communist policy of tacit cooperation with Fascist groups and as a result of improved economic conditions. At the convention of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (C.I.O.) the moderate wing prevailed over the pro-Communist group. At the time of the presidential elections in November the candidate of the Communist party, Earl Browder, received 48,789 votes, whereas in 1936 he had received 80,159, and in 1932 the Communist candidate had received 102,991 votes. In the 1940 election, however, a number of states did not allow the Communist party a place on the ballot. Generally the vigilance of the American public against both Communist and Fascist activities has increased so much that their influence has been lessened. The Communist party in the United States saw itself obliged to sever temporarily its connection with the Communist International, and to turn over the official party organ, The Daily Worker, to private ownership.

In the Latin American countries several did not allow any Communist propaganda; generally the Communist influence there was infinitely weaker than Fascist agitation; Communist activities gained strength mostly from their cooperation with Fascist parties against hemispheric defense and against friendship with the United States. See also U.S.S.R.