Joel A Lewis Youth Against Fascism.pdf
Joel A Lewis Youth Against Fascism.pdf
Joel A Lewis Youth Against Fascism.pdf
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UNITY OF YOUTH<br />
strating that if "our youth could have a greater say in Government, there would be an<br />
enormous change for the better for the whole population." 113 The YCL believed that the<br />
open "democratic discussion" of the <strong>Youth</strong> Parliament could be developed to mobilize<br />
anti-fascist sentiment and activities among the entire youth. 114<br />
One of the main focuses of Popular Front activities and rhetoric was the peace movement<br />
that arose out of the 1934 British "Peace Ballot" initiative. 115 Gollan contended that<br />
in Britain, peace was the vital issue that could facilitate broad youth unity. 116 In 1935 the<br />
British <strong>Youth</strong> Peace Assembly (BYPA) was established, bringing together youth of<br />
diverse political, religious and philosophical backgrounds. Leninist YCL rhetoric would<br />
have condemned this venture as opportunistic. A 1935 Challenge article instead praised<br />
this initiative of British youth:<br />
The important organizations of Britain's <strong>Youth</strong> have decided to establish an Assembly of<br />
<strong>Youth</strong> for peace.... Representatives were present from the following organisations, some<br />
of them as observers: Younger Generation Movement, Student Christian <strong>Youth</strong> Movement,<br />
Young Communist League, Young Liberals, Young Conservatives, British Federation<br />
of Co-operative <strong>Youth</strong>, National Union of Students, Boy Scouts' Association,<br />
Girl Guides, YWCA, Labour League of <strong>Youth</strong>, League of Nations <strong>Youth</strong>, University<br />
Labour Federation, Fabian Nursery, Young Theosophists, Holiday Fellowship, Christian<br />
Endeavour, International Friendship League... The Assembly is to discuss questions relating<br />
to peace and to agree upon common action for the maintenance of peace.... In a<br />
situation as exists to-day, this historic coming together of the <strong>Youth</strong> bodies will contribute<br />
much to the preservation of world peace. 117<br />
The BYPA held common perspectives with the YCL on peace and anti-fascism. The<br />
BYPA identified both "the threat of warmongers at home and abroad," highlighting the<br />
connections between domestic and international policies that threatened the youth with<br />
war. 118 Communists contended this common sentiment could inspire mass actions against<br />
the National Government. One YCL statement argued, "<strong>Youth</strong> wants work, peace and a<br />
future. Baldwin's National Government denies these things. Prepare now… away with<br />
the enemies of youth!" 119 Instead of investing in the future of British youth, the YCL<br />
contended Baldwin was directing precious government investments into war; Baldwin<br />
offered youth "a larger Army and a larger Navy and a fifty per cent increase in our<br />
chance of dying young." 120 As the BYPA developed, the YCL found fresh allies in<br />
struggles for collective security, support of Spain and their continued campaigns against<br />
the National Government.<br />
The YCLUSA was transformed from a small propagandist sect into one of the most<br />
influential American youth organizations of the inter-war era. 121 During the twenties,<br />
both the YWL and the YPSL were small organizations with little political influence. 122<br />
The Leninist Generation's strict oppositional culture and factional splits marginalized<br />
revolutionary youth, retarding the popularization of socialism among young American<br />
workers. The YWL rejected coalition politics, insisting the workers' struggle could only<br />
"go onward under the revolutionary banner of the hope of the proletarian masses of the<br />
world, the Communist International!" 123 Unity rhetoric was focussed internally on<br />
91