Joel A Lewis Youth Against Fascism.pdf

YOUTH AGAINST FASCISM
made it possible for them to influence the policies of their country to a greater extent
than is the case with the proletariat of a number of other countries. The English workers
possess powerful means for the struggle for democracy… and will fulfill with honor its
international obligations in defense of democracy, culture and peace. 38
Dimitrov described the nature of American fascism and the importance of United States
democratic influence in the world stating:
American fascism tries to portray itself as the custodian of the Constitution and "American
Democracy." It does not yet represent a directly menacing force.... And what would
be the international significance of this success of fascism As we know, the United
States is not Hungary, or Finland, or Bulgaria, or Latvia. The success of fascism in the
United States would vitally change the whole international situation. Under these circumstances,
can the American proletariat content itself with organizing only its classconscious
vanguard, which is prepared to follow the revolutionary path No. 39
According to Dimitrov's analysis, by defending and extending their national democratic
heritages, the British and American YCLs could fulfil both their national and international
duties in the struggle against fascism.
The Popular Front Generation did not define democracy simply as a political process
or system of governance. Fascism represented itself as "the antithesis of the whole world
of immortal principles of 1789;" fascism was "a reaction against the movement of the
enlightenment" that set the basis for democracy and modern culture. 40 Dimitrov characterized
fascists as "barbarians… who trample human culture under foot, who burn the
works of human genius in bonfires." 41 Young communists interpreted democracy broadly
as a reflection of modernity intimately linked with inclusive egalitarian traditions,
cultures, and lifestyles rejected by fascism. 42 Young communists contended that "all
phases of [youth] activity – dramatic, choral, literary, social, athletic – [are] contributing
to the fight to make democracy work, by practising it." 43 Democracy was a constructive
social attitude that informed active engagement with all facets of modern youth culture.
Communists continued to critique the limitations of bourgeois democracy, but stressed
the common democratic heritage and shared anti-fascist values of youth. Young communists
were encouraged to actively utilize democratic structures, traditions and culture to
influence state policy and isolate fascist influences among the youth. The democratic
language and youthful activities of the Popular Front Generation maximized the inclusive
and broad nature of the anti-fascist movement. Dimitrov's definition of fascism enabled
communist youth to engage in more effective mobilization tactics, especially in Britain
and the United States, as champions, not opponents of democracy.
The British-American Context
The Popular Front's pro-democracy rhetoric transformed the British and American YCLs
from perceived enemies of democracy into integral members of youth political culture
during the thirties. Early Young Worker propaganda in Britain and the United Stated
employed similar forms, but a divergent focus in the content of their rhetoric on democ-
104