Communist International (1919–1943)

"Communist International" redirects here. For other uses, see Communist International (disambiguation).

Communist International
1919–1943
Symbol
Leaders
• General Secretary	Georgi Dimitrov
History
• First Congress	March 1919
• Second Congress	July 1920
• Third Congress	June 1921
• Fourth Congress	November 1922
• Fifth Congress	July 1924
• Sixth Congress	July 1928
• Seventh Congress	July 1935
• Dissolution	1943
Preceded by 1864: International Workingmen's Association 1889: Second International

The Communist International, also known as the Third International or Comintern, was an international communist organization led by the Soviet Union. It was established in 1919 after the October Revolution and dissolved in 1943 after the Nazi invasion of the USSR. It was briefly succeeded by the Cominform in 1947.

Structure

Delegates from communist parties around the world participated in World Congresses of the Comintern. The Congress decided the number of votes for each party based on its membership and the political importance of the country it is from. The World Congress elected an Executive Committee to lead between congresses, and all parties in the Comintern had to follow the decisions of the Executive Committee. Individual parties could appeal against resolutions of the Executive Committee to the World Congress but had to follow the Congress's decision.

The Executive Committee often invited delegates from communist parties to their meetings but only members elected to the Committee at the World Congress could vote. The Executive Committee elected a Presidium that met at least once a month and the Presidium elected a Political Secretariat.

History

First Congress

The First Congress of the Comintern was held in Moscow in 1919. It included communist parties from many countries, including Russia, Hungary, Germany, Japan, Italy, and the United States.

Fourth Congress

In 1922, Tan Malaka of Indonesia proposed collaboration between communism and pan-Islamism. The Congress rejected it because of the reactionary roles of many Muslim clerics.

Fifth Congress

In 1927, the Comintern adopted the line that bourgeois national liberation movements would betray the proletariat.

Sixth Congress

At its Sixth Congress in 1928, the Comintern warned of a new fascist offensive against the proletariat.

Seventh Congress

The Comintern revised its position on national liberation in 1935 to encourage a temporary alliance between the proletariat and national bourgeoisie of colonized nations. It also encouraged communists in Europe to form popular fronts against fascism with all anti-fascist forces.

Anti-Comintern Pact

In 1936, Nazi Germany and Japan signed a pact against the Comintern. Fascist Spain and the rest of the Axis later signed the pact.