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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DEMOCRACY<br />
the imperialist role of Britain in world history. A World <strong>Youth</strong> Review article by Mick<br />
Bennett drew historical parallels between the youth Popular Front movement and past<br />
British traditions. Bennett stated the youth were "the inheritors of the traditions which<br />
have given to England the name of the Mother of Democracy." 105 In the next issue of<br />
World <strong>Youth</strong> Review Bennett continued invoking such associational language stating,<br />
"You who represent the youth of Britain who work in the factory, mine, office, school or<br />
university, are heirs to the long tradition of struggle for freedom and democracy." 106 The<br />
YCL also published special historical pamphlets highlighting "Champions of Freedom in<br />
British History," arguing that these heroes had established a "tradition of freedom which<br />
the youth of this country is now as ever eager to serve." 107<br />
YCL rhetoric spoke of two British political traditions, one being "shameful" and imperialist,<br />
the other being the "honourable" democratic culture of "the people." Reflecting<br />
on the <strong>Youth</strong> Pilgrimage the YCL stated, "British youth movement bitterly resent the<br />
hatred and shame which Chamberlain's policy has brought upon the country. It will<br />
never permit the world to think that the cruel old men of the National Government are the<br />
spokesmen of British traditions." 108 One Challenge article stressed the links between<br />
education, progressive history and democratic citizenship:<br />
It is time, too, that our history books contained less about kings and more about the people<br />
who made history, such as Wat Tyler, the Chartists, and all the fighters for freedom<br />
since. Our democratic traditions must be brought in our educational system, and together<br />
with the more practical training in Citizenship, would assist our youth to serve as<br />
citizens of an enlightened democracy. All sections of the <strong>Youth</strong> Movement should teach<br />
its members the traditions of democracy and the need to defend them. 109<br />
Another article stressed the role struggle had played in developing British democracy and<br />
the "great traditions" of the British people:<br />
The Democratic rights that we posses to-day were not given to us because of the benevolence<br />
of our rulers; they were won for us by men like Ernest Jones, who underwent imprisonment<br />
many times for this beliefs and for his activity… let us remember how our<br />
freedom was won for us, and let us carry on the great tradition left for us by the Chartists.<br />
110<br />
Such rhetoric linked "rulers" with an authoritarian past and the youth with traditions of<br />
democratic struggle. Other history articles drew thematic parallels between history and<br />
the modern youth movement. An article on the "Peasant's Revolt of 1831" argued that it<br />
represented "the first people's movement in England" and that it was "the start of a<br />
glorious tradition" that led historically to "our struggle for Democracy and defence of the<br />
people." 111 The YCL urged youth to acknowledge that "there are people who do not like<br />
these democratic fighting traditions of the people" and to highlight that "Britain's youth<br />
are, above all, sincerely for the defence of democracy." 112 YCL propaganda consciously<br />
used histories of democratic struggle to counter fascist conceptions of history and culture,<br />
linking the youth movement to "honourable" democratic traditions and Chamberlain to<br />
"dishonourable" imperial histories. By making youth aware of democratic struggles of<br />
the past, they would be inspired to defend democracy as active citizens.<br />
111