Comintern

Definition

The Comintern, or Communist International, was an international organization founded in 1919 to promote worldwide communism and facilitate cooperation among communist parties. It aimed to encourage revolutions in various countries and foster a global movement towards a communist society, significantly influencing the formation of alliances and political strategies within countries like China during the early 20th century.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Comintern was established in Moscow in 1919 and operated until 1943, aiming to unite various communist movements across the globe under a common ideology.
2. One of the main goals of the Comintern was to support revolutionary movements in countries experiencing social unrest, especially after World War I.
3. The organization provided guidance and support to the Chinese Communist Party, especially during its early years when it was trying to gain strength against both domestic and foreign adversaries.
4. The Comintern facilitated the formation of the First United Front in China by encouraging collaboration between the Chinese Nationalist Party and the Chinese Communist Party.
5. The impact of the Comintern diminished after the rise of Stalin's policies, as it became more focused on Soviet interests rather than fostering genuine international communist collaboration.

Review Questions

• How did the Comintern influence the relationship between the Chinese Nationalist Party and the Chinese Communist Party during their alliance?
  • The Comintern played a crucial role in promoting cooperation between the Chinese Nationalist Party and the Chinese Communist Party through its support for the First United Front. This alliance was intended to unify forces against warlords and foreign imperialism. The Comintern encouraged collaboration by providing resources and ideological guidance, which initially allowed both parties to work together effectively. However, underlying tensions and differing goals eventually led to their split.
• Discuss the significance of the Comintern's establishment in 1919 for global communist movements, particularly in relation to China's political landscape.
  • The establishment of the Comintern in 1919 marked a pivotal moment for global communist movements as it sought to coordinate efforts and inspire revolutions worldwide. In China, this had significant implications, as it facilitated the rise of the Chinese Communist Party by providing ideological support and training. The Comintern's influence helped shape China's political landscape during a time of upheaval, allowing communist ideas to gain traction among intellectuals and workers disillusioned with existing political structures.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of Comintern policies on China’s path to communism and how these policies shaped future interactions between communist movements globally.
  • The long-term effects of Comintern policies on China's path to communism were profound, as they laid the groundwork for future struggles and ideological battles within Chinese politics. The initial alliance between nationalist and communist factions catalyzed key events leading up to China's civil war. Furthermore, as Comintern directives evolved under Stalin's influence, they impacted how different communist movements interacted globally, creating tension between national interests and internationalist aspirations. This dynamic shaped not only China's own revolution but also how other countries approached their local communist agendas.

Related terms

Bolshevik Revolution: The 1917 revolution in Russia led by the Bolshevik Party, which resulted in the establishment of a communist government and the withdrawal of Russia from World War I.

Nationalist Party: Also known as the Kuomintang (KMT), this party was a major political force in China that initially allied with the Chinese Communist Party before their eventual split.

Chinese Communist Party:

The founding political party of the People's Republic of China in 1949, which sought to establish a communist state and was significantly influenced by the directives of the Comintern.