Joel A Lewis Youth Against Fascism.pdf

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