Fact Check: Did the Soviet Union tell communist in America to accuse of non communist fascist

Did the Soviet Union Tell Communists in America to Accuse Non-Communists of Fascism?

Introduction

The claim under examination suggests that the Soviet Union instructed American communists to label non-communists as fascists. This assertion touches on the complex relationships between the Soviet Union, American communists, and the broader political landscape of the time, particularly during the rise of anti-communism in the United States.

What We Know

1. Soviet Ideology and American Communism: The Soviet Union, particularly under Stalin, maintained a rigid adherence to Leninist Marxism, which influenced the policies of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA). American communists often criticized liberals and non-communist radicals, framing them as obstacles to the proletarian revolution 2.

2. Anti-Fascism Rhetoric: Throughout the 1930s, the Soviet Union promoted a narrative that emphasized cooperation between communists and non-fascist parties against the threat of fascism. This included calls for unity among various leftist groups to combat rising fascist movements 3.

3. Messages from the Soviet Union: Historical documents indicate that the Soviet Union communicated directives to the CPUSA, particularly around the time of World War II. These messages often reflected the Soviet stance on international issues and encouraged American communists to align with Soviet interests 4.

4. Anti-Communist Sentiment: The post-World War II era saw a significant rise in anti-communist sentiment in the United States, leading to a backlash against communists and leftist ideologies. This period, known as McCarthyism, was characterized by aggressive investigations and accusations against alleged communists 7.

5. Controversial Perspectives: Some sources argue that the Soviet Union's actions, particularly the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact with Nazi Germany, complicate the narrative of the USSR as a consistent opponent of fascism 9. Critics of communism have used this historical context to argue that the Soviet Union's anti-fascist rhetoric was often disingenuous.

Analysis

The claim that the Soviet Union directed American communists to accuse non-communists of fascism requires careful scrutiny of the sources available.

• Source Reliability: The National Archives document 1 provides a primary source perspective from the 1950s, reflecting the CPUSA's stance against the conflation of communism and fascism. However, it does not explicitly support the claim of direct instructions from the Soviet Union.

• Historical Context: The thesis presented in 2 and 3 suggests that while the Soviet Union did encourage anti-fascist unity, it does not directly indicate a directive to label non-communists as fascists. The CPUSA's criticisms of non-communist leftists could be seen as a natural ideological conflict rather than a direct order from Moscow.

• Potential Bias: Articles such as those from The Federalist 9 may exhibit bias against communism, framing the Soviet Union's actions in a negative light. This could affect the objectivity of the analysis regarding Soviet intentions and their relationship with American communists.

• Need for Additional Information: More detailed historical records or communications between Soviet leaders and the CPUSA would be beneficial in clarifying the nature of their relationship and any specific directives that may have been issued.

Conclusion

Verdict: Mostly False

The claim that the Soviet Union instructed American communists to accuse non-communists of fascism is largely unsupported by the available evidence. While it is clear that the Soviet Union influenced the CPUSA and promoted anti-fascist rhetoric, there is no definitive documentation proving that the USSR explicitly directed American communists to label non-communists as fascists. The criticisms made by American communists against non-communists appear to stem more from ideological conflicts rather than direct orders from Moscow.

It is important to recognize that the historical context surrounding this claim is complex. The relationship between the Soviet Union and American communists was multifaceted, characterized by both collaboration and ideological divergence. Additionally, the potential biases present in some sources may affect the interpretation of Soviet intentions.

Limitations in the available evidence mean that while the claim can be deemed "mostly false," it does not entirely dismiss the influence of the Soviet Union on American communist rhetoric. Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate the information presented and consider the nuances involved in historical narratives.

Sources

1. National Archives. "Is Communism Un-American?" ca. 1950. Link
2. American Communists and the Nazi-Soviet Pact. Link
3. A Workers' Republic Against Fascism. UW Departments Web Server. Link
4. Two Soviet messages to the CPUSA in 1939. Montclair State University. Link
5. Anti-communism. Wikipedia. Link
6. Red fascism. Wikipedia. Link
7. McCarthyism. Wikipedia. Link
8. Was this Communist Party Directive from 1943 genuine? Skeptics Stack Exchange. Link
9. No, The Communist Soviet Union Wasn't Anti-Fascist. The Federalist. Link
10. Against fascism and war: The Communist Party USA's third decade. People's World. Link