Comintern

Definition

The Comintern, or Communist International, was an international organization founded in 1919 to promote worldwide communism and support revolutionary movements across countries. It aimed to unite various communist parties and groups under a single banner, reflecting the Bolshevik ideology of exporting revolution, especially after the Russian Revolution. The Comintern played a significant role in shaping the global communist movement during the early 20th century, influencing many countries' political landscapes as they sought to establish socialist governments.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Comintern was founded in March 1919 in Moscow and aimed to encourage worldwide communist revolutions, promoting solidarity among communist parties.
2. It held several congresses, with the most notable being the Second Congress in 1920, where strategies for revolutionary action were debated and outlined.
3. The Comintern faced challenges, such as differing national interests among member parties and debates over tactics and strategies for achieving socialism.
4. In 1943, under pressure from World War II, Joseph Stalin dissolved the Comintern to improve relations with Western Allies, marking its end.
5. The legacy of the Comintern is seen in the way it influenced various communist movements globally, affecting labor movements and leading to conflicts during the Cold War.

Review Questions

• How did the formation of the Comintern reflect the goals of Bolshevism in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution?
  • The formation of the Comintern illustrated the Bolsheviks' goal to spread their revolutionary ideas beyond Russia's borders. By establishing an international organization dedicated to promoting communism, they sought to inspire similar uprisings in other nations, believing that a global revolution was necessary for socialism's success. This reflected their commitment to creating a worldwide socialist order, viewing national struggles as interconnected.
• Discuss how the Comintern influenced political movements in other countries during its existence.
  • The Comintern had a significant impact on political movements outside Russia by providing support, resources, and strategic direction to various communist parties around the world. It encouraged local parties to adopt Marxist-Leninist principles and organized events like international conferences to promote solidarity. However, this influence varied widely based on local conditions and resistance from non-communist governments, often resulting in mixed outcomes for revolutionary efforts.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the Comintern on global politics and its role in shaping ideological conflicts during the Cold War.
  • The Comintern's long-term effects can be seen in its contribution to establishing communist parties globally, which became influential players in many nations' politics. Its dissolution during World War II did not erase its impact; instead, it laid the groundwork for ideological conflicts that characterized the Cold War. The rivalries between capitalist and communist nations can be traced back to divisions fostered by movements inspired by the Comintern's earlier activities, illustrating its significant role in shaping modern political ideologies.

Related terms

Bolshevism: A political ideology and movement led by the Bolshevik Party in Russia that advocated for a radical overthrow of capitalism and establishment of a socialist state.

Leninism: A political theory developed by Vladimir Lenin that emphasized the role of a vanguard party to lead the working class in the revolution and establish a dictatorship of the proletariat.

Red Scare: A period of intense fear of communism and radical leftism in various countries, particularly in the United States during the early 20th century, often leading to widespread paranoia and repression.