Chai Shangjin: The Role and Evaluation of the Communist International in the World Anti-fascist War
May 2018
The author is a counselor at the Research Office of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee and a researcher at the Center for Contemporary World Studies.
In the decisive battle between the world’s anti-fascist war and the Chinese people’s fight against Japanese aggression, which determined the future and destiny of the world, the Comintern implemented the general tactic of the world’s united front in the anti-fascist struggle.
Comintern not only mobilized communist member parties from all over the world to actively rush to the front lines of the anti-fascist war, but also promptly abandoned their prejudices. Comintern called on the communist parties of various countries to form a broad anti-fascist alliance with social democratic parties and various forces of peace and progress, and to integrate the communist parties of various countries and the world’s progressive forces into the torrent of the world’s anti-fascist struggle. The historical contribution of the Comintern and the heroic sacrifices of communists of all countries forever engraved in the hearts of all peace and justice loving people.
The Struggle of the Communist International Against fascism played a positive role
In some commemorative articles or history books today, they mainly reflect how the United States, Britain, the Soviet Union, and the Central Allies fought against the Axis powers such as Germany, Italy, and Japan, and they eulogized the greatness of the world’s righteous and democratic forces. It is rare to see articles and books about the unremitting efforts and contributions made by the Communist International and communists in various countries to the anti-fascist struggle.
In fact, “opposing imperialism and supporting the national liberation movement” was the consistent policy of the Communist International. In the world’s anti-fascist struggle, the Communist International has played its due international role.
The main manifestations are: first, advocating the establishment of an anti-fascist united front worldwide. In response to the grim facts that Hitler came to power and fascist forces were rampant in some countries, the Comintern began in March 1933 to establish an international united front and actively carry out anti-fascist struggles as the main tasks of the Comintern.
The Seventh Congress of the Comintern was held in July 1935. This Congress adopted a resolution “On the Fascist Offensive and the Tasks of the Comintern in the Struggle to Win the Working Class and Against Fascism” and identified the establishment of a united front for anti-fascist struggle as the strategic goal of the Comintern. The political tactics determined by this congress played a positive role in helping the parties of various countries to independently solve the practical problems of struggle in their countries, and were of great historical significance in the history of the Communist International.
Secondly Comintern mobilized and supported communist parties in various countries to carry out anti-fascist struggles. With the support of the Comintern, the French Communist Party united 84 parties and groups in the country to establish the Anti-Fascist Popular Front, and jointly carried out anti-fascist demonstrations and strikes, severely defeating the French fascist forces.
In early 1936, the Spanish Communist Party united with the Socialist Party, workers’ groups belonging to anarchists, and left-wing forces such as the Republican Left and the Republican League. These forces won the parliamentary election and formed a republican government. It was subverted by the right-wing forces represented by Franco (Spain) plus German and Italian fascist armed intervention. In order to save the Spanish Republican government, the Communist International issued an appeal to all countries in the world to support Spain, and set up recruitment stations in many major cities around the world to recruit volunteers to go to Spain to fight against German and Italian fascism.
More than 40,000 communists, socialists and other revolutionaries from more than 50 countries were called up to form an international column and rushed to Spain. Among them, more than 100 overseas Chinese communists living around the world participated in the war.
The Spanish people’s anti-fascist struggle lasted until the end of March 1939, and more than 10,000 members of the International Brigade gave their precious lives. The proletarian internationalist actions and spirit of sacrifice of the International Brigade have been recorded in the history of the international communist movement and will shine through the ages. The communist parties in Italy, Czechoslovakia, the United Kingdom, Belgium and many other countries also actively established anti-fascist popular fronts. Their deeds and contributions in the fight against fascism are commendable and will never be forgotten by history.
The Communist International and the Communist Parties of various countries Have Actively supported the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japan
The Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression has been of great significance from the beginning for saving human civilization and safeguarding world peace. Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was an important part of the world’s anti-fascist war and the main eastern battlefield of the world’s anti-fascist war. The Chinese people made great historical contributions and made huge sacrifices to defeat Japanese fascism and win the world anti-fascist war. Therefore, they have won the sympathy and support of the Communist International and communists in various countries.
Japan’s invasion and occupation of Northeast China aroused the anti-Japanese enthusiasm of the people across the country. The China’s Kuomintang government pursued the policy of “reconciling foreign affairs before settling at home” and stepped up its efforts to encircle and suppress the workers’ and peasants’ Red Army. At that time, many people in the CCP and the Red Army hated Chiang Kai-shek’s brutal suppression of the rebellion. They were not mentally prepared to join forces with Chiang to resist Japan. It was difficult to reach a consensus on “unanimous gunfire against the outside world”, and the establishment of a domestic anti-Japanese national united front faced many obstacles. At this time, the new policy of establishing an international anti-fascist united front established by the Seventh Congress of the Communist International was like spring breeze, which played an important role in promoting the final formation of China’s anti-Japanese national united front. The Chinese Communist Party delegation participating in the Seventh Congress of the Communist International drafted the “Message to All Compatriots to Resist Japan and Save the Nation” (i.e., the August 1st Declaration) in the name of the Chinese Soviet Central Government and the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, proposing that the Chinese Communist Party should cooperate with all those in China who are determined to truly save the country and the people.
The forces of the organization formed a broad anti-imperialist united front against Japanese imperialism and its lackeys. The Communist International agreed with the principles set out in the August 1st Declaration and agreed to publish them publicly.
In December 1935, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held an enlarged meeting of the Political Bureau in Wayaobao, northern Shaanxi.
In this Wayaobao meeting Zhang Hao delivered a report on the spirit of the Seventh Congress of the Communist International (1935). Representatives at the meeting fully discussed the domestic political situation and struggle strategies at that time. In his keynote speech, Mao Zedong pointed out that we must liberate ourselves from closed-doorism and establish a broad anti-Japanese national united front.
This meeting finally adopted the “Resolution of the Communist Party of China on the Current Political Situation and the Party’s Tasks” drafted by Zhang Wentian, and decided to accept the strategic changes of the Seventh Congress of the Communist International, implement the principles and policies of a broad anti-Japanese national united front, and mobilize, unite and organize all the people of China and the entire nation to fight against Japanese imperialist aggression.
The Wayaobao Conference was an extremely important meeting in the history of the Communist Party of China. The conference applied the general policy of establishing an anti-fascist united front proposed by the Seventh Congress of the Communist International to China’s reality, formed the theory and strategy of the anti-Japanese national united front, and realized the shifting of the strategic focus of the domestic revolutionary war to the Anti-Japanese War.
After the Wayaobao Conference, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China paid more attention to the work of the united front and successfully reached an agreement with the Northeast Army to stop the civil war and jointly resist Japan. The Anti-Japanese National United Front was first launched in the Northeast China.
In July 1936, the telecommunications connection between the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Comintern was restored. While affirming the spirit of the Wayaobao Conference, the Executive Committee of the Communist International suggested changing the slogan “anti-Japanese and anti-Chiang Kay Shek” to the slogan of “alliance with Chiang Kai-shek to resist Japan.” The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China accepted this suggestion.
Soon, the Xi’an Plot Incident broke out. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, with the consent of the Comintern, actively carried out united front work to win over the Kuomintang in Nanjing city, urged Chiang Kai-shek to resist Japan, and laid the foundation for the establishment of an anti-Japanese national united front.
After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War in China, the Presidium of the Communist International issued a declaration to the international proletariat, emphasizing that “the Chinese people’s war of liberation is the most important component of the general struggle of the world proletariat and all advanced mankind against the oppression of barbaric fascism.” Comintern called on the working class of all countries and all people who truly support democracy and peace to take active actions to help the Chinese people resist Japanese aggression.
In response to this call, newspapers such as the “Comintern” and the Soviet Union’s “Pravda” continued to report news about China’s war of resistance on their front pages and published articles condemning Japan’s aggression, giving the Chinese people a huge moral boost in their war of resistance. support. In order to support the Chinese people in their fight against Japanese imperialist aggression, the Communist International also did a lot of organizational work.
In the directive “Assisting the Spanish and Chinese People”, the Secretariat of the Communist International emphasized the need to mobilize the Popular Front Committee, the Association of Friends of Peace, the International Association of Friends, the Anti-Fascist Committee, trade unions and women’s and student organizations, as well as organizations that are beneficial to aiding the Chinese people. political parties and other forces to urge their governments to take effective measures to oppose Japan’s various acts of aggression.
Comintern called on the Communist parties of various countries to carry out extensive campaigns to raise funds, rescue refugees and victims of aggression. Comintern called on military experts to go to China and send pilots, medical teams, establish refugee relief stations, prestigious delegations, and reporters traveled to various battlefields in China. Under the call and arrangements of the Comintern, the communist parties in France, Italy, Spain and other countries issued declarations, telegrams and articles one after another, condemning Japan’s aggression against China and supporting the Chinese people’s anti-Japanese struggle.
The Soviet Union provided China with a large amount of military and financial assistance and sent several groups of military advisers and pilots to China’s anti-Japanese battlefield. The Japanese Communist Party issued an anti-war statement calling on the people to “not send a single soldier to China.”
Communist parties in the United States, Britain, the Netherlands and some other countries organized campaigns to raise funds and boycotted Japanese goods. Communist Party of Canada sent Dr. Bethune, a Communist Party member, to lead a medical team to China. Dr. Bethune shared the joys and sorrows with the Eighth Route Army officers and soldiers led by the Communist Party, and finally sacrificed his precious life. India also sent Doctor Kotnis to lead a medical team to China’s anti-Japanese front line to save lives and heal the wounded. In addition, famous journalists such as Smedley, Snow, and Strong visited the Chinese battlefield to report to the world about the glorious achievements of the Chinese people, especially the Chinese Communist Party in the War of Resistance. They also formed deep friendships and comradeship with Chinese Communist leaders such as Mao Zedong, Zhu De, and Zhou Enlai. During those difficult years, the Chinese people will never forget the tremendous support given by the Comintern, the Communist Parties of various countries, and the people of all countries.
A dialectical look at the Communist International’s Role in the World Anti-Fascist War
First, the Comintern played an active role in uniting and promoting the formation of a united front between the communist parties of various countries and the world’s progressive forces, but it also interfered in the activities of some parties.
The Comintern existed for a total of 24 years (1919-1943) from its establishment to its dissolution, and its existence and role have been consistently both praised and criticized. Some people say that the Comintern, which pursued the policy of “everything for the Soviet Union”, was a tool for the Soviet Union to implement its foreign policy.
The branches (Communist Parties) in various countries under the leadership of the Comintern only obeyed the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Comintern’s “centralized leadership” hindered the independent struggle of the communist parties in various countries. This view has some realistic basis, but this judgement is one-sided.
Mao Zedong had a relatively fair evaluation of the Communist International’s effect to the Chinese Revolution, saying that it was “good at both ends, but bad in the middle. It was good at both ends, but it also had some problems; it is bad at the middle, but Communist International is not without merit.” Mao Zedong’s comment that Communist International was good at both ends means that it was good at helping the Chinese Communist Party build the party and during the great revolution (1924-27), and it was good at helping the CPC to establish the anti-Japanese democratic united front. The bad in the middle refers to the fact that during the Agrarian Revolution, the Communist International’s guidance on the Chinese revolution was mostly wrong, especially its support for Wang Ming’s practice of the ultra-left line. Later Mao Zedong also said that Wang Ming’s line was actually Stalin’s line.
Some mistakes
In particular, it actively mobilized the world’s communist parties and progressive forces to support the Spanish and Chinese people in fighting fascist aggression. It played an active role and made due contributions in the struggle. On the other hand, we should also see that the Communist International gave too much consideration to the national interests of the Soviet Union, emphasized cooperating with the Soviet Union’s struggles, and ignored the interests of the proletariat of other countries.
For example, after the Soviet-German treaty was signed, the Comintern required the communist parties of all countries to target the non-fascist British and French governments as the main target of their struggle, and did not allow the communist parties to take independent actions, which plunged the communist masses in many European countries into ideological confusion and political embarrassment.
Soon later, the Executive Committee of the Communist International corrected its approach against the British and French governments, reiterated the necessity and urgency of establishing a broad anti-fascist international united front, pointed out the consistency between defending the Soviet Union and defending the interests of its own people, and called on the communist parties of all countries to support the defense of the Soviet Union in the Anti-fascist war, and concentrated all efforts on the anti-fascist struggle.
After the change of the Communist International’s policy, communists in various countries readjusted their policies, linked the struggle for the freedom and independence of their own people with the world’s anti-fascist liberation movement, and carried out arduous and heroic struggles for the final victory of the anti-fascist struggle and made their respective contributions.
Generally speaking, the role of the Communist International in the world’s anti-fascist struggle was positive, and its positive significance cannot be completely negated just because it cooperated with the Soviet Union’s foreign strategic needs.
Second, the highly centralized organizational principles of the Communist International did not adapt to the reality that communists and peoples carrying out separate anti-fascist struggles. The Communist International was organized on the principle of high-level centralized leadership. This centralized leadership system has indeed played a certain positive role in coordinating the revolutionary actions of the proletariat in various countries and promoting the establishment of an international anti-fascist united front. However, the centralized leadership system could easily be influenced by the “great power” and “big brother” party doctrine of the Soviet Union, which to a certain extent limited the independent development space and struggle flexibility of Communist parties in various countries.
The “Left” closed-door policy of the Communist International not only failed to target the main enemy at many important moments, but also often pushed the middle-of the-road forces to the hostile camp, which actually weakened us and strengthened the enemy.
In the midst of very complex, difficult, and cruel struggles, the communist parties of various countries have also grown rapidly and become increasingly mature. They were able to formulate correct principles and policies based on the actual conditions of their countries and independently lead their people in the struggle against fascism. For example, the French Communists were not afraid of sacrifice, bravely took up arms, united with various national salvation organizations, formed guerrillas, and fought back against the German invasion and occupation. They received widespread support from the French people and continued to grow in strength.
If the Comintern continued to issue direct orders to the communist parties of various countries as it did before, and if Comintern continued to instruct the communist parties to form pure anti-fascist forces and lead closed-door tactics , it would only be unhelpful to the development of the communist parties in various countries, but would also become an obstacle to the world’s anti-fascist struggle.
The changed situation showed that the highly centralized organizational form of the Communist International was unable to solve the increasingly complex and ever-changing problems of various countries and no longer met the needs of revolutionary struggles in various countries. In this regard, the leader of the Comintern Dimitrov and the leader of the Soviet Union Molotov concluded after consultation: Under the conditions that are newly formed, the dissolution of the Comintern, as the leadership center of the communist parties of various countries, would positively effect the independent development of many communist parties of the world and would positively affect their implementation of their unique tasks in their countries. In addition, in order to strengthen its alliance with Britain, the United States and other countries and in order to consolidate the anti-fascist united front, the Soviet Union agreed to dissolve the Communist International.
Soviet central newspaper “Pravda” published the notice of the Presidium of the Executive Committee of the Comintern on the dissolution of the Comintern signed by Dimitrov on behalf of the Presidium. The Communist Party of China, the German Communist Party, the French Communist Party, the Italian Communist Party, the Spanish Communist Party, and other parties issued declarations or statements in favor of the dissolution of the Comintern.
Mao Zedong delivered a speech on this event at the Yan’an Cadres Conference, speaking highly of the help provided by the Comintern to the CPC. At the same time, he pointed out: “The dissolution of the Comintern was not to weaken the communist parties of various countries, but to strengthen the communist parties of various countries and make them more nationalized, but also help them to adapt to the needs of anti-fascist struggles. “
Facts have proved that the dissolution of the Comintern has helped communist parties and left-wing forces in various countries independently explore the path of socialist revolution and construction.
Third, internationalism still has vitality, and unity and cooperation are the development trends of the socialist movement in the world today. Since the communist parties and workers’ parties in many countries were born during the period of the Communist International, they were inextricably linked with the Communist International.
Although the Comintern was closed, the mutual solidarity, mutual support and common struggle of the communist parties and peace-loving people of various countries did not end there. Inspired by the spirit of internationalism and the anti-fascist united front advocated by the Comintern, the people of all countries continued to cooperate closely and fight in unity, and finally achieved complete victory in the anti-fascist war.
With the drastic changes in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe (1989-1991) and the profound changes in the international landscape, the left wing in today’s world is like a rainbow of seven colors. Whether in developed Western countries or in developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, there are left-wing forces that yearn for and pursue socialism.
In reality, world socialism is a unity of ideological trends, political movements and institutional models with their own characteristics, and is always in the historical process of continuous development. In addition to the Communist Parties, there are also socialist parties, labor parties, green parties and emerging left-wing parties that also use the banner of socialism.
The composition of socialist forces is becoming increasingly diverse, and “pan-socialism” has become an objective phenomenon. In recent years, the anti-neoliberal globalization movements have been in the ascendant, with many left-wing forces and non-governmental organizations joining in, and has received widespread response and support from the public. Some environmentalist parties, such as the Green Party, are unique in the political arena of various countries and have become important parties which participate the governments.
Some emerging social movements that benefit people’s livelihood and promote historical progress have broadened the field of today’s political practice, which not only provides opportunities for the Communist Parties to expand its survival and development space, but also they form a new force that the Communist Parties can rely on and cooperate with. The Communist Parties should adhere to the principles of respecting differences and tolerate diversity, provide good guidance, mobilize and utilize various positive factors, formulate correct strategies and tactics, and expand the left-wing united front. Only in this way can we unite all the forces that can be united, so as to strive for world socialism to revive from the low ebb and let it continue to grow and develop.