Vol. XIII (2007), no 20 - The International Newsletter of Communist ...

The International Newletter of Communist Studies Online XIII (2007), no 20 105
Fredrik Petersson, Åbo:
The League against Imperialism: The Most Valuable Organizational Tool for
Bolshevik Propaganda in the “Imperialist” and Colonial World during the
Interwar Era? Synopsis of a doctoral thesis.
On the 21 of February 1927, German Communist Willi Münzenberg, main man in charge of
constructing different front organizations and other propaganda manoeuvres within the
Communist International (Comintern) organisational apparatus in Europe, 158 sent the
Secretariat of the Executive Committee (ECCI) in Moscow a letter, informing on the
unexpected success of the “First International Congress in Support of the Oppressed Peoples
in the Colonies” in Brussels, Belgium (10-15/2-1927). Münzenberg claimed that it was now
only a matter of creating a large organization and for it to remain “steady in our [Comintern]
hands”. 159 The item to remain “steady” was the League against Imperialism and for National
Independence (LAI). Two and half years later, in the aftermath of the Second International
LAI Congress in Frankfurt am Main, Germany 20-31/7-1929, the situation looked somewhat
different, leaving no traces of enthusiasm. The Eastern Secretariat of the ECCI concluded that
the Congress “did not reflect a historical fact of world importance and failed to give it a
definite organisational form”. 160 A point of view Münzenberg at first did not share, on the
contrary, he argued that the Congress was a “powerful demonstration” against the imperialist
system and in support of the Soviet Union. A considerable organisational improvement was in
fact evident. 161 A state of permanent conflict and tension in the network between
Münzenberg, LAI’s International Secretariat in Berlin, and Comintern headquarters in Moscow
was a common feature, as it has turned out, throughout its existence.
LAI has been constructed and controlled under communist influence during the years 1927-
1933. After the Reichstag fire in Berlin 27 of February 1933 the entire anti-imperialist network
was shredded to pieces, and as a consequence, proved too difficult to mend by its chief
architect Münzenberg. Reginald Bridgeman, English Socialist and Secretary of the English
Section of the LAI received authority from Moscow to run the League. 162 Hence, the
158
For Willi Münzenberg see Babette Gross, Willi Münzenberg. Eine politische Biographie Mit einem
Vorwort von Arthur Koestler, Stuttgart, 1967, a work that still can be regarded as the most informative
source on Münzenberg’s life. See also Hermann Weber & Andreas Herbst, Deutsche Kommunisten –
Biographisches Handbuch 1918 bis 1945, Berlin, 2004, pp. 521-522. Another recommendable personal
account is Babette Gross' sister Margarete Buber-Neumann. See: Von Potsdam nach Moskau – Stationen
eines Irrweges (Stuttgart, 1957) and Kriegsschauplätze der Weltrevolution. Ein Bericht aus der Praxis
der Komintern 1919-1943 (Stuttgart, 1967).
159
RGASPI 542/1/7, pp. 120-123, Letter from Münzenberg in Berlin to ECCI Secretariat in Moscow, 21/2-
1927
160
RGASPI 495/20/722, pp. 100-105, Draft resolution on results of the II World Congress of the LAI and
its direct immediate tasks (Passed by the Eastern Secretariat), 27/8-1929.
161
RGASPI 542/1/30, pp. 82-84, Letter from Willi Münzenberg to “Sch” [Wi/Sch.], Berlin 12/8-1929.
162
RGASPI 542/1/59, p. 45, Letter from Münzenberg in Paris to Ludwig in Moscow, 8/6-1933; RGASPI
542/1/58, pp.31-33, Instructions to R. Bridgeman from unknown author in Moscow, 15/9-1933.