Cold War
1944 – 1945
New Deal philosophy was founded upon the principle of public and social responsibility operating at the national level, because it was felt that that would be the only place with sufficient resources necessary to meet the social needs of a large and complex population with a modern society like the US. (3)
In the election of 1944 many assumed Henry Wallace would continue as the Vice President on the ticket. Wallace hated politics and never seriously campaigned. Wallace while clearly the first choice among labor, New Deal Liberals and other progressive elements, made a lot of enemies among Northern Urban Machine Democrats and white supremacist Southern Democrats. Instead of campaigning he went to China on a diplomatic mission for Roosevelt in the summer of 1944. Roosevelt was not clear on his choice of a running mate for his fourth term. He made clear to New Deal Democrats his choice was Wallace. But, to the Urban Machine Democrats and Southern Democrats we would say the position was open. The Gallup Poll taken at the time showed that 65% of Democrats likely to vote wanted Wallace, 2% wanted Truman, and Jimmy Brynes received most of his support from the South. Roosevelt was a personal friend of Wallace and he would be his personal choice. But, Roosevelt would not fight for Wallace at this time like he did in 1940. Because of this stand it was almost certain Wallace would be scrapped as his enemies North and South were a small minority within the Party, but they were the most powerful elements within the party. Liberals wanted Wallace, the Urban Machines wanted Truman, and Southern Democrats wanted Brynes. Liberals wanted to stop Brynes. Southern Democrats and Urban Machine wanted to stop Wallace. Ultimately Truman would become the compromise. (3)
The failure of Henry A. Wallace to win re-nomination for Vice President only proved how shallow New Deal liberalism was in the Democratic Party. When faced with crooked patronage of the Urban Machines and the aristocratic and autocratic Southern Democrats of white supremacy founded on the principles of fictional ancient traditions, progressive stood very little chance. (4)
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was re-nominated for a fourth term, with only 90 dissenting votes out of 1174 on the first ballot. Wallace in seconding the nomination said:
The future belongs to those who go down the line unswervingly for liberal principles of both political democracy and economic democracy regardless of race, color or religion. The poll tax must go. Equal education must come. The future must bring equal wages for equal work regardless of sex or race. (4)
Behind the scenes Robert Hannegan an important political power, the head of the St. Louis machine within the Democratic Party and Chairman of the Democratic National Committee knew that if either Wallace or Brynes got the VP candidacy there would be major protests within the party. Further Hannegan had close political ties with Tom Pendergast the “boss” who controlled Kansas City and Jackson County another powerful Machine politician. Pendergast was Truman’s sponsor and thus Truman was a political hack well integrated into machine politics. Now all that was needed was to get the powerful machines who supported Truman to sell to labor, and New Deal Democrats who appreciated Wallace that Truman was better than the detested Brynes. For the Southern Democrats that Truman was better than the abhorrent Wallace. Truman a weedy and dull Senator would be good sale as not much was known about except he was loyal to the big city bosses. (3)
It was Friday, July 21, 1944 they decided to vote for V.P. while they had the floor.
Wallace was very popular not only among New Deal Democrats, organized labor, African and Hispanic Americans, but most rank and file Democrats. He was going to be an earnest candidate. If Wallace were to be removed, back room deals would be required. When Wallace seconded the Roosevelt nomination he spoke as a fighting liberal, making it clear that Democrats won under Roosevelt and could win in the future only by a persistent and with an openly liberal platform. By the end of Wallace’s speech it was clear that the floor belonged to Wallace. Senator Claude Pepper from Florida moved to put Wallace’s name in nomination there and then. The Chair refused to recognize Pepper. Pepper called for a point of order, and a majority supported Pepper. The Chair refused to recognize the motion. Then the Chair called for vote to adjourn the majority voted no, the chair adjourned the meeting. The next day it was clear Wallace would win, then the credentials committee was going to take a closer look at the delegates’ credentials. It was clear the committee was going to make sure the Wallace did not get the majority he needed. Because still Truman had so few committed delegates that the deal making took place in a concentrated effort. Not only for the reasons stated above, but in the best tradition of the Democratic Party money changed hands, political appointees, favors were promised. In the end Truman won the nomination. (3)
The Democratic national Convention of 1944 was one of the most important political events of the 20th century. This would be the beginning of the end of the popular front. This would be the event that would bring to a close the possibility of a Post War New Deal. Roosevelt was very sick and most close to him suspected he was dying. By selecting Truman as the V.P. candidate the door was open to having an entirely different kind of President. This would lead to a return of government by machine politics and rule by corporate and military elites. What followed was the logical conclusion of selecting a political hack. Truman as President would go on to take control of the coalmines, request brutal anti-labor legislation, replace New Dealers with large Wall Street investors, top corporate executives and military brass all men of power, influence and mediocre intelligence. Not unlike the political bosses Truman held in reverence. Foreign policies would become openly imperialist both by protecting decaying British and European colonialism and spreading US neo-colonialism, anti-socialist and confrontational. All this was in the future but it would follow like cause and effect. The Democratic Party caved into the established Democratic political Machine. Rule by bureaucrats cynical by nature and deceitful and distrustful by character was the logical conclusion. The Cold war was the natural result both the Soviets and the US share the blame, but the majority of the fault falls on Washington. (3)
After the 1944 Presidential elections were over and Roosevelt won a fourth term and Truman was the new VP. Henry Wallace was the Secretary of Commerce. Wallace continued with his advocacy of worldwide democracy. Wallace called for independence for the British, French, Dutch and US colonies. Roosevelt asked for a time line for independence. The British Government was officially upset. (3)
Roosevelt’s policy toward China was to have China as a major World Power, one of the Big Five. These would be U.S., U.S.S.R., U.K., France, and China. Before this could happen the defeat and demilitarization of Japan was necessary. The removal of any and all Japanese occupation forces from China would soon follow. Next their needed to be an end to the civil war in China with a negotiated settlement between Nationalists and Communist Chinese. A very limited role in the future China of both British (imperialist) and Soviet (communist) influence was essential before their could be an independent and democratic China. (1)
Roosevelt would sell his China policy this way. British were committed to maintaining their global empire, which included economic concessions in China. Roosevelt hope to convince the Soviets that they would benefit from an independent and democratic China if this would limit British influence in the region. Roosevelt also wanted to persuade the Soviets that they would gain an advantage in the region from supporting the Nationalist Chinese government if the Communists could operate openly as a legal political party. (1)
Because America was fighting a two front war troops were divided between both wars. The Soviet troops were fighting the Germans, and they suffered the heaviest losses of all of the allied forces. The Soviet participation in the war against Germany was essential for victory and saved a lot of American lives. But, the Soviets fought only on one front. The Soviet Union stretched all the way to the Pacific and had a clear interest in the Northern Pacific. If the Soviets could be brought into the war against Japan that would shorten the war and save maybe a million American lives. It was to the advantage of the Japanese to keep the Soviets out of their war. If the U.S. were to convince the Soviets to agree on declaring war on Japan it would need to remain a secret. If the Japanese were to attack the Soviets it would only delay the war on both fronts costing a lot of American lives. (1)
Roosevelt’s policy toward China was to have China as a major world power; part of the big five; U.S., U.S.S.R., U.K., France and China. The defeat and demilitarization of Japan was necessary. The removal of Japanese of any part of China, bringing and end to the Chinese civil war, limitations on British and Soviet economic and political controls in China was also essential to a democratic China. (1)
British were devoted to maintaining their Empire, which included economic concessions in China. Soviet Union would support Roosevelt. Roosevelt looked forward to this and alleged that a free and democratic China in which the Communist could operate openly as a legal political party would be in both the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. mutual interests. But more importantly the Soviets would come on board to Roosevelt’s plan if it promised to limit British influence both in China and the rest of East Asia. Roosevelt hoped to sell this to America as a return to, and a redefinition of the open door policy. (1)
Because America was fighting a two front war, its troops were spread thin. The Soviets were fighting Germany and suffered heavy losses and saved a lot of American lives. Because, the Soviet Union spread all the way to the Pacific they had an interest in the Pacific. If the Soviets were brought into the War against Japan after the war with Germany ended Roosevelt strongly believed that this would save even more American lives and would end the war in the Pacific sooner. (1)
Roosevelt was aware that if the Soviets entered the Pacific war that the Soviet influences in the Northern Pacific would be greatly strengthened. This would require selling the Soviets on a coalition government in China. In return the Soviets would be given lease rights in the Chinese ports of Dairen and Port Arthur, joint control with China of the Chinese East Manchurian Railroad, Soviets would take possession of South Sakhalin and the Kuriles Islands. But, a Democratic China according to Roosevelt would need to be part of the negotiations. This would require the Soviets recognizing Nationalist China in which the Communist would become a legal party within the government. These agreements would need to remain secret in order to avoid a Japanese military attack on the Soviet Union’s Pacific North East. If this happened then Soviet troops would be brought in from the German War to fight Japanese. This would lengthen the European War and would not shorten the Pacific War. If the Japanese did not know of the plans they would want to keep the Soviets out of their War. This was carefully discussed in both Teheran and Yalta. At the time the Atomic Bomb still seemed along way off, and couldn’t be planned on. Because of the fact that the bomb was ready earlier than was expected this changed everything. The war in Europe was over in May 8. Then atomic bomb was tested at 5:29:45 a.m. Mountain Time on July 16, 1945. The need for the Soviets now became a problem. The Soviets would enter the War August 8. They were not needed any more so on August 6, 1945 the Little Boy Bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, two days before the Soviets entered the War. Then on August 9, the day after the Soviets entered the War Fat Man was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan surrendered August 15 and signing the treaty of surrender September 2, 1945. The plans for the Soviets entering the War to save American lives now became a moot point. (1)
General George Marshall claimed the need for Soviet assistance to win the Pacific War. Truman wanted to limit Soviet influence over Japanese territories. All postwar policy decisions Truman thought should remain under the authority and observation of Douglas MacArthur. Truman claimed this simplify the chain of command by eliminating the duplication of services that was already present in occupied Germany. (1)
May 28th Harry Hopkins representing the U.S. met with Stalin, Stalin agreed that the Soviets would declare war on Japan August 8, 1945. But, first the Sino-Soviet treaty would need to be concluded. (1)
The Soviets made it clear that they would enter the war against Japan only after they concluded a treaty with China. Truman hoped to delay that treaty to keep the Soviets out of the Pacific. The Soviets made it clear that they would accept both the Chinese control over Manchuria and a Nationalist government in China under the terms of the Roosevelt agreements. (1)
Stalin insisted on the continued independence of Outer Mongolia claimed by China, the Soviets rights to the Manchurian Railroad, lease rights to the Ports of Dairen and Port Arthur, and the Kwantung peninsula would be open to Soviet upkeep. (1)
Nationalist Chinese wanted the U.S. to cosign any treaty with the Soviets. The issue would be Soviet roll in Manchuria, Port Arthur would remain an open port under Chinese control. (1)
In May and June Truman remained neutral in the debate between the State Department who distrusted the Soviets and the War Department wanted to work out an agreement with the Soviets to ensure their entry into the Pacific war in August. (1)
During the New Deal the Roosevelt administration opened the door so that communists, socialists, social democrats, progressives and liberals could work together in a broad Popular Front of social reform. They did not always get along, but they did work together for certain shared goals. Reformer and revolutionary cooperated in setting up necessary immediate reforms. During World War II most groups would step back from these programs in order to concentrate on winning the War. After the War there was a concerted effort to curb any further reforms to Keynesian Capitalism. Big financial institutions, industrial corporate executives, Republicans, Southern Democrats, Old Guard Machine Democrats all said enough is enough and progressive New Deal Democrats and their socialist allies of all persuasions would have to be taught a lesson. At first Truman was neutral on this debate, but soon he learned by targeting progressive New Dealers he could gain popular and bi-partisan support for his foreign policies.
From the beginning of the New Deal congressional right wing, fought the New Deal all the way. Using red bating as their main avenue of attack. Yet the popularity of the Roosevelt squad, the man himself and the try one thing if “that don’t work, try something else approach” made the New Deal impervious to assaults from Republican, private enterprise big business advocates, backward-looking rugged individualists. Yet the New Deal remained popular with small rural communities and industrial working class neighborhoods. (1)
At the end of May Elmer Benson and C. B. Baldwin of the National Citizens Political Action committee went to see Truman in the White House
During the War, because of the alliance between the Soviet Union and the United States serious red bating carried little weight among a large portion of the American Population. After the War Southern Democrats, Republicans, Urban Machine Democrats would cooperate in red bating New Deal progressives, socialists, communist and just about anyone that would have supported Roosevelt if he was still alive. (1)
Now the US was slipping away from the vision of a world in which the Wartime allies could work for a common end of peace and prosperity and a health but respectful competition between socialism and capitalism with political rights and economic security protected. (3)
May 1945 the National Citizens Political Action Committee Elmer Benson and C. B. Baldwin went to see Truman about pursuing Roosevelt’s peaceful relations with the Soviets. Truman interrupted banging on the table “we got to get tough with the Russians”. Benson said, “If there is to be peace we are going to have to learn to get along with the Soviet Union. They are an important nation”. Truman replied, “That is right”. However after they left they knew nothing changed with Truman. But, the US president was upset with the Soviet influence in Eastern Europe and the presence of Soviets in Northern Iran. Truman refused to discuss US influence in Western Europe including France and Italy in spite of large popular, influential, and courageous Communist Parties that proved their valor, in the anti-fascist resistance during the War. (4)
New Deal Democrats often saw their influence diminished in the White House and conservative millionaires. Edwin W. Pauley was a trusted advisor to Truman and FDR advisor Robert Kenny was cut off. Truman as a political hack and machine Democrat admired power and was anti-intellectual. Truman fired New Dealers like Frances Perkins, Francis Biddle, Henry Morgenthau, Frank Walker, Claude Wickard and many more. The Missouri gang part of the Democratic urban machines of Kansas City and St. Louis, corporate executives, top military brass, among other rich and powerful men surrounded the President. Many would later be exposed for their corruption like Generals Wallace Graham and Harry Vaughan; others would include Jacob Vardaman, Donald Dawson, Charles Ross, Admiral Sidney Sours, Matthew Connelly, George Allen and Clark Clifford. THE Truman administration was one of the more corrupt in American history. (4)
April 26, 1945 Edwin W. Pauley replaced Isador Lupin as the head of the US delegation on the Anglo-American Soviet Reparations Committee. At that time it was still believed the Soviet entry into the Pacific War three months after the defeat of Germany would save American lives. But, with the bomb there would no longer be a need for the Red Army, Truman believed. James V. Forrestal wrote that the dropping of the Bomb had little to do with ending the War with Japan. “We are kidding ourselves if we believe the atomic bomb was dropped on Japan. There is evidence that fully eight months earlier Japan was ready to Capitulate. If the purpose of the bomb was to save American lives, then a fair warning before Okinawa would clearly have saved more lives. No, the atomic bomb was dropped not militarily but diplomatically”. P. M. S. Blackett wrote, “So we may conclude that the dropping of the atomic bombs was not so much the last military act of the Second World War, as the first major operation of the diplomatic war with Russia…” Later at Potsdam on July 17, 1945 knowing of the Bomb Truman said “I will certainly have to hammer those boys” meaning the Soviets. (4 p. 25)
Elliot Roosevelt would go on to claim that the hard work his father laid down with he Soviet Union was let down by Truman who mortally and purposely abandoned the path of peace. Franklin Roosevelt believed at Yalta he and Stalin paved the way for a world where peaceful competition not violent confrontation could be established. This was the kind of world he had envisioned; preparing for and talking about and finally got Stalin to understand it was in both their interests. Both Roosevelt and Stalin understood each other and knew both could benefit from cooperation. The devastated Soviets needed to rebuild and the US could help from which the US would profit. The new President ruined this fragile hope for peaceful co-existence. Eliot was right. As paranoid generals, admirals, big named capitalists and top party bosses replaced New Dealers, confrontational anti-communist suspicions and dreams of global empire trumped co-existence. Roosevelt’s dreams died. There is more than enough fault to go around though the majority of the fault rests with Washington not Moscow. (4)
Diplomacy was taken over by the military. Intimidation replaced negotiations. Instead of looking for compromise and discovering shared interests to workout a bargain; warnings of conflict to compel recognition of guiding principles dictated by Washington. It was assumed the Soviets only understood force. This then replaced the “White Man’s Burden” as the expressive philosophy of empire. Empire was hidden in a facade of defending democracy. As the worst forms of tyranny were then protected and justified as the democratic alternative to communism. At no time in previous history was the US military so effectively placed in charge of of government. US foreign policies became severe and antagonistic, like never before. Foreign policy became a team sport with a win at all costs strategy. With New Dealers out and Wall Street in financial hegemony and global organization for the narrow benefit of Wall Street became the definition of worldwide democracy. (4)
As head of the Civil Aeronautics Board, Major General Laurence S. Kuter replaced James Landis because Averell Harriman clashed with Kuter because Harriman’s opinion of Landis was, that he was dangerous. Landis thought it would be a good idea to encourage veterans to start many small independently owned companies, because as trained pilots safety would come first and before large corporate profits. Wrong. Kuter, Harriman, Truman and Congress thought it best to keep the small companies out and make room for a small number of very large airlines. This was one more indication how Wall Street took over Washington. (4)
The Red Scare following World War II shared much in common with the Red Scare following the First World War. The major difference was the1917 Russian Revolution by 1945 provided an address for subversive activities. The Soviet Union was the home of the new global threats. Communist Parties around the world have close ties to the Soviet Union. The problem was that during World War II the Soviets were a close ally to the United States. The Soviets suffered greater losses in the War with Germany than the rest of the allies. The Soviets were the victors in Europe because they did most of the fighting. With Soviet courage America too was a victor, even though the Second Front was delayed until the Germans were on the ropes. The Soviet saved over a million American lives during the war by their contribution to the war against the NAZI threat. In addition within the United States the Communist Party USA cooperated in a Popular Front during the New Deal era they played a secondary, but very important role in organizing the new CIO unions, progressive legislation and the support of popular progressive art movements and was still respected and admired by many Americans. American Communists had the reputation of courageous hard workers within a cause they supported and this is supported by independent historical research. It was true American Communists looked the Soviet Communists for direction in progressive causes. The task for Truman in selling his foreign policy would be simple, anyone cooperating with the Communists anywhere in the world is plainly immoral. Now it was clear that to save the principles of the New Deal, liberals would be required not only to cut any ties with their Communist allies, but prove their anti-communism by joining in with red baiting, purging communist and cooperating with anti-communist committees. The conservatives in congress were skilled at attacking labor unions, racial civil rights, and New Deal programs as Communist inspired. Truman in the very beginning saw domestic communism as irrelevant and insignificant. But surrounding himself with power corporate, political and military bosses he soon had imperial dreams. To succeed where Wilson had failed in making the US the center of a world empire. The US would become the new Great Britain, and even surpassing the British Empire at its height. But soon by making radicals at home into either Soviet agents or the unknowing dupes of that evil Soviet designs of world conquest, Truman would both eliminate an effective left in the US and make questioning his foreign policy unpatriotic. By painting an exhausted Soviet Union into a threat to democracy worldwide he justified making the US the center of a worldwide empire politically, militarily and most important economically (3)
The first ten years of the Communist Party in America remained little more than a minor cult among a small group of immigrants. The Party was more concerned with sectarian disputes in the years between 1924 and 1928, than talking to the rest of the American population. During the Depression Communism became a fully American Organization. Young people born in America moved into leadership roles within the Party. During the Depression these young people had a plan. As the Depression deepened and as President Hoover failed to deal of the depths economic crisis, and as the economy reached a new low, America arrived at an all-time exhausted financial catastrophe with no way out of these troubles the young Communist were in a position to win influence among ordinary Americans. In unemployment councils, labor unions, civil rights organizations Communist labored sincerely, hard and diligently for social justice and during the Roosevelt years with other groups in a broad popular front and won a great deal of credibility and influence. The CPUSA also provided the major leadership at the very beginning of the anti-fascist struggles. Many young Americans fought on the side of Democracy in the Spanish Civil War. In art, literature and music many aspiring artists found a home in the Communist movement. This movement excited many intellectuals though not being Communist themselves many published and many more wanted to publish something in the Communist press. Many others worked with Communists in the Federal Works Projects. Folk music was popularized. But because appeasement to Hitler by France, Britain and the US and the failure to defend the Spanish Republic Stalin lost faith in a collective security against fascism and signed the non-aggression pack with Hitler. The Communist Parties around the world dropped the collective security against fascism plank and said the up coming war was a competition between imperialist and capitalist powers. The Communists lost most of the hard won support and standing among its’ non-communist allies. (X)
The Communist Party in the US from its founding in 1919 looked to the Soviet Union as its mentor. Most comrades at the lower levels at least found ways to act independently of Soviet influence, but this always carried the very real risk of getting kicked out of the Party, the more a members role the more likely this would happen. The CPUSA always accepted the Soviet Party’s authority on all issues including uniquely American problems. This would be the ultimate limitation on the credibility of the comrades as they faced increasing anti-communism. Because of this there was some truth that the claim American Communists acted as foreign agents for a hostile nation. The question that the anti-communists failed to address was exactly what did ordinary activists have anything to offer that would benefit the Soviet Union or in any way be in a position to threaten US security. Most union activists, artists, civil rights campaigners or anti-fascists were never in a position to pass classified information on to the Soviets. Communist at the height their influence worked with reformers and were never were particularly near to mobilizing large groups of Americans for an out an out Revolution. With all the hard work by the Communists for labor unions the comrades gained support among American workers around bread and butter issues and never had the authority to call a strike to cripple the US in times of crisis. If he Americans went out it would be around real grievances and questions of livelihood not socialist revolution. In the civil rights struggles Communists pointed the failure of American politics to deal with the issues of racial unfairness, malice, disparity and segregation. Solutions that drew people of color close to the party was along the lines of reform and talk of revolution remains an abstract dream some time in the future. In fact at the height of the Communist influence the Communists were known as hard workers who cooperated with other groups concerned about the same issues. The Soviet Party considered the American Party as little more than an inconsequential leisure activity when compared to the much more important parties in nations like France or Italy. (X)
By keeping the left alliance with progressives and liberals alive the New Deal policies might be brought back and become the major focus in the post war period. By maintaining a Soviet, US alliance after the War both societies could develop without the unnecessary stress of preparing for the next war. We need to work for avoiding the pain of another red scare, red baiting, Cold War and anti-labor legislation. In the Post War markets would need to be stabilized in the short run to save the gains made by labor. Strong international trading partners were necessary. Rebuilding Europe and Asia was a must. The first concern after avoiding another war was preventing a new economic depression. This would mean cooperation between the socialist and capitalist worlds as a necessary first step in rebuilding after the ravages of war. The Communist Political Association would keep the Communist Philosophy alive while encouraging individual communists to work within the established institutions. Not only reflecting what was already established within the Popular Front, but legitimizing the Communist movement and eliminating the need for secrecy. This would increase the Communist influence by moving the political process in the US towards a more left position. By not posing an immediate threat to the liberal capitalist politicians Marxist literature would continue to be read and discussed and by doing so a large and dynamic Marxist subculture would be established. Marxism would become an open and recognized tradition. In an approachable non-offensive part of the American political culture the Marxist worldview would greatly expand. (X)
During the 1944 Democratic National Convention with the controversy over the VP slot, the Communists worried that if Wallace continued in the VP role this would hurt Roosevelt. Wallace would be the best choice in an ideal world. Wallace supported the Teheran agreements between US, UK and USSR and to the Communists this was as good as it gets. This would continue to maintain the alliance into the Post War period. This would establish a lasting peace. The CPUSA liked Wallace’s pro-labor position was what the Communists wanted. But, Wallace was too controversial. The large urban machines wanted him out, Southern Democrats Wanted out. Even though the liberals and 65% of the registered Democrats wanted Wallace, it was feared the old fashion Democrats would make life hard for the Progressive cause. Truman was clearly a very weak candidate and that was seen as good. It was hoped he would remain an inept insignificant person deeply hidden in the background. If Roosevelt had lived this would have been the case. While not Democrats, the Communists let it be known that Wallace was the wrong choice.
.
The conferences of Teheran and Yalta were based upon a long-term alliance between the US and the Soviet Union each side would need to recognize the long-term security needs of the other side. This new state of affairs would allow the American Communist Party to express a measure of independence. The US party would need to reorient its strategies to the needs of a changing American environment and support the Big Three alliance Roosevelt worked so hard on. This would be in the interests of both the USSR and the USA. The 1917 Soviet model would no longer fit the US in 1944. This is some ways would be similar to what thirty years later would be called Eurocommunisn. The workers would continue to work for short-term goals of the popular front; the revolution would be kept alive as a continuing objective. Labor unions and issues, civil rights, full employment at good wages and benefits, affordable housing, food, and national healthcare were the immediate issues to be worked on. The Revolution was not put on hold but it was acknowledged that wasn’t happening tomorrow. The Communists Party was to be replaced with a Political Association that would work within existing groups. Marxist classics and Marxist analysis would be used to understand on how to move forward toward an increasingly more democratic society. Marxist classics would continue to be published and discussed. Keeping Marxism relevant and the long-term goals of democratic society run by working people. In this plan the new UN was to play a major role in working out problems between nations. If this plan din not workout bitter rivalries would threaten the peace. (2)
In 1944 most of the leaders and followers of the CPUSA supported disbanding the Party to be replaced by the Communist Political Association. The major opposition came from William Z Foster though his opposition was largely unknown to the Party rank and file. On the international setting the Soviets would not support revolutionary action in Western Europe after the War. Earl Browder used the current alliance between the US and the USSR to formulated a new policy. The Capitalist West had to recognize the Soviet Union had a right to exist unharmed. The alliance that worked so well during the War would continue to benefit both nations during times of peace. After the Capitalism would stabilize in the US. The governments in the Capitalist West would now be open to compromise and honest reform in order to maintain labor peace. By siding with the more progressive members of the Capitalist class we could prevent a Republican victory in the Presidential election of 1944. This undermines everything that has been accomplished during the popular front and the New Deal. World peace, labor gains and democratic reforms would be endangered and damaged. Browder further stated that Roosevelt had preserved Capitalism and strengthened for the future. But in doing so major concession to labor were made and these needed to be preserved. The majority American workers were not socialists and that meant it was not on the agenda in the immediate future. . What was worth fighting for was to keep in place the right to organize a union of one’s own choosing, to bargain for higher wages, benefits like retirement and vacations, secure employment, sick leave, better working conditions. This taken together the real possibility of world peace, an end to colonialism and imperialism
Was worth fighting for the progressive elements within the Capitalist class would negotiate openly for the above. Thus to keep the reactionary faction out of power it was in labor’s interest to support the pro-Roosevelt faction in the next so many years. (X)
The Communists understood the nature of the “two party” system. The “two party” system within the US are two broad coalitions of interests groups. To break with the two party system given our constitution reduces a third party to either a one-time protest or a minor cult. Intra-party is even more interesting than interparty politics. During primaries, caucuses, or what ever deals are made even before the election gets started. This is where the left might have some influence. Most times protests were temporary sideshows in American politics. Often they are spectacular and have continuing effects, but the movement most often is transitory. The Communists like the Socialists at the beginning of the 20th century became a part of the American political landscape. The Socialists were eliminated as part of the American scene with the First World War and the red scare that followed. The Communists in the US would try to prevent a repeat of history. The difficulty of getting on the ballot makes winning for a third party impossible. Plus the assumption of majority rule, which means whoever gets the most votes, is the one who gets the office with or without a majority also makes winning for a new party practically unfeasible. Most third parties are real parties and not coalitions and therefore can never hope to win the highest office of the land. However even if winning is out of the question getting on the ballot at certain times can provide an opportunity to get the word out. At other times it can show our frustration with the continuing failure of two party politics. In the long term third parties can have only minor influences on the platforms of any election. But that minor influence is often fairly important. The Communists in 1944 hoped to maintain its popular front influence. The Communists did not join the Democratic Party but worked closely with the Democrats. The popular front was damaged during the non-aggression pack, but much of that damaged was re-established to wellbeing during the War. Alliances are bigger than the groups participating. Marxism is a sociology that looks at the current situation in a historical setting. Every new situation requires an updated examination. (X)
Foster’s opposition, at first was kept a secret from the rank and file party members. Soviet influence was growing. National independence liberation movements were growing in the colonies. Similar movements were also on the rise in Latin America. In Europe with the resistance to fascism saw an increasing class-consciousness among the industrial working class. All of these carried at its core antiwar, anti-imperialists and anti-capitalist ways of thinking, according to Foster. Foster went on to state that capitalism is all about expansion, growth, and any compromise with labor is only when needed to stop the rise of socialism. Reforms will be abandoned as soon as there is an opportunity. During the War and in the Post War period the Communists would need to be ready to lead the workers in a resistance to attempts’ by the capitalists to solidify their power. Republicans were in the wings ready to replace the Democrats. The big capitalists would give the Republicans what they needed. The Democrats were always too willing to compromise and giving any real chance for change. Because the US will be the only major power to survive, its’ Capitalist class will be rejuvenated and controlling a new global empire including the other major industrial powers. With their increased power big business will make sure that the New Deal is dead. The conflict with the Soviets will create a permanent wartime economy. War and fascism is in the Post War future. Only the Communists can lead the workers. (X)
Two things happened that would spell the end of Communism as a respectable alternative within the broader American Political Culture. Truman replaced Roosevelt. Truman had little experience in diplomacy. Truman was a traditional machine Democrat and as such though very little about and cared even less about cooperation on the international give and take of compromise. He was always closely associated with urban machines in Kansas City and St. Louis. Once in the White House he surrounded himself with the advisers he would be most comfortable with, top military brass and corporate executives and maintain his close ties with Democratic Party Bosses. These elites had international ties and were pungently not only anti-communist, but also anti-socialist. He either fired or forced out the New Deal Democrats closest to Roosevelt. He surrounded himself with big men with no sympathy for socialists and a deep distrust for communists. Negociations would be seen as appeasement. Other nations would toe the line with American expectations or suffer the consequences. To meet an adversary halfway was a sign of weakness. The US was the new center of global capitalism and if the UN was to survive it would need to become and extension of US policy. (2)
The other reason US Communism took a nosedive was internal. April 1945 Jacaques Duclos a leader in the French Communist Party attack the decision to liquidate the Communist Party, calling Browder a revisionist. The future would lead to increasing class conflict. US imperialism would lead to increasing repression within the US and around the world. The threat to Western democracy would be coming under US leadership to save corporations from the world democratic movements the US was leading the way to global fascism. Such an attack of American Communists by a leader in such a large ad powerful Communist Party was to be taken seriously. Instead of having the courage to continue on its independent path, the CPUSA began purging itself of revisionist starting with its leader Earl Browder. By listening to someone who knew little about the US and was religiously dogmatic the US party did as much as the US government to discredit Marxism in the US (2)
Giuseppe Berti and Ambrogio Donini were in the US in 1945. They were in the Italian Communist party when a fascist government was in power in Italy. May 1945 they sided with Duclos position on the Communist Browder considered this interference in the domestic governance of the CPUSA. Browder claimed that these two leak Duclos article to the New York World Telegram. Back in Italy Berti and Donini were criticized for trying to influence another Communist Party. Togliatti the leader of the Italian Communist Party did not appreciate either the French or Italian Communists interfering with parties around the world. British claimed because the American policy was approved January 1944 and Duclos article was published in the French journal April 1945 and there was no criticism in any theoretical Journal in the Soviet Union Duclos was not representing anything but his own personal view and should not be taken as official. (X)
While many unions prohibited Communist Party members from participating in the union even before WWII, the party was legal and top union officials recruited communist as organizers because of their proven skills. Party members in unions that did not discriminate and was not seen as a bad thing were fairly open about their left leanings. In the other cases secrecy was essential and these union people were called influentials by the Party and given a great deal of autonomy. This was not a conspiracy both the Party and top Union officials knew and it was best to keep it secret to avoid being forced to fire a valuable asset to the union.
There was some concern among liberal and progressive groups that the increasing appeal Communists might have among Blacks because of the liberal failures the challenge the Senatorial authority of Southern Democrats or their failures around issues around racial equality. It was obvious to Party members that a Revolution by white Americans was not going happen anytime soon. Among most white Americans there was little interest in issues of racial equality. Communist found loyal allies and sometimes members among particularly disenfranchised groups. (X)
Communist Political Association constitution was adopted May 20-22, 1944. This was disbanding the Communist Party USA. It was to combine the democratic traditions of the United States with the principle of scientific socialism as outline in the Marxists classics. It was born out of the needs of World War II, the joint anti-fascist struggles and the new problems facing America and the rest of the world in the up coming post war period. Communists were to work within existing labor, civil rights and political organizations. Further Communists would engage in discussion groups and run party newspapers and publications to keep Marxist thoughts alive. (X)
The Communist Party in the US in their fantasies were on the forefront of the struggle against the threat of a new worldwide fascism born in the US spreading with the rise of US hegemony. War and augmentation of fascism ever increasing from US supremacy was the most important threat globally. Not only America but also humanity needed Communists leadership. In fact not only was the CPUSA a declining spent bullet, even at its height of influence ten years before a majority of Americans never took the Communist seriously. In the late 1930’s Communist were only noteworthy, as junior partners to New Deal Democrats and only to the degree the Communists never exceeded the goals of the New Deal. Even as foreign agents nobody in the nine large parties above took American Communists seriously. It was assumed US Communist really did not have anything important to share. Very few were in a position to offer the Soviets anything significant. Spies are usually professionals in it for whatever reason, US Communists were labor organizers, artists, writers, folksingers, civil rights advocates, mostly in roles that foreign governments could learn more by buying local newspapers than asking Americans what they know. (2)
Communist at times work vey hard within the popular front. When they did they accepted New Deal policies and progressive agendas as the guide to their actions. At other times by the Communist Parties refusal to criticize the Soviet Union, or denunciation of the facts of Soviet brutality made them hard to deal with. However, before the popular front, what was impossible to cooperate with was when the Communists refused to work with reformers or go slow socialist. It is clear when progressives and communists worked together it was the progressives and not the communists who set the agenda. But in the popular front Communists were good labor unionists as they took on any task given them and pretty much worked harder than anyone else. But the coming of the Marshall Plan and the CIO support of it not only would the Communist lose support of the rank and file, but the leadership in the International Unions would fire them. Because the Party made opposition to the Marshall Plan obligatory, and the CIO made support of the Plan mandatory any open and rational debate on the issue was impossible. In addition the labor activist would have to decide immediately whether to leave the Party or the union. If she or he delayed making that decision the union leadership would doubt the activist’s sincerity. Purging of Communist already began and the demand to take anti-Communist pledges was well in place. Any opposition to the Marshall plan was taken as proof of being a Communist. Because with Truman gunning for communists and fellow travelers, with the Republicans after Truman for not being anti-communist enough Communism became the acid test. Liberal anti-communists would be even more motivated to not only to go after and get rid of communists from all labor and liberal organizations, but liberal anti-communist would go after popular front liberals and anti-anti-communists with the same reproach, voracity and insatiability. Even the hard working and devoted trade unionists that had proven themselves were no longer welcome. (2)
Two things continue to be true throughout the history of the CPUSA. Neither the Soviet Party nor any of the other eight large Communist Parties ever took American Communists seriously. The Communist in the United States not only took the Soviet Party and the other eight large Communist Parties very seriously, but constantly looked to them for leadership. For example Browder was removed from office and expelled because of the criticism of his policies by a French Communist leader. When Foster became the new leader he demanded devotion to what he saw as the intact and enduring accuracy of the Marxism Leninism as defined by Soviet Communism. Many in the Party challenged him for what they saw as dogmatism. But, rather than settle at home, they often sent someone to Moscow to ask Soviet leaders what was correct. Sometimes the Soviets might respond but often they simply ignored the Americans. Foster held that the Communists alone had the only path toward socialism and anything else was seen as unacceptable. Most in the party still supported a popular front until at least the end of 1948. Until then most rank and file Party members continued their hard work in progressive and labor organizations. (2)
Many Communist with in the various unions had little contact with the larger Party and were given a great deal of leeway. Even when Foster tried to crack down it was hard to keep close tabs on Party members. But, they had less luck with the liberal and labor anti-communists who now closely watched not only communists but also all progressives within their organizations. The liberal anti-communists in the CIO and ADA were every bit as bad as the out of control right wing of the Republican Party. Former friends were cast aside as liberals turn against their close comrades from another time. Acquaintances were hunted down for extinction. ADA, CIO, liberals in general, Truman, Republicans, backward-looking crazies all contributed to a culture of despotism and terror. Is it any wonder that radicals of the 1960’s would look upon the liberals of this era as cowards and traitors? (2)
By April 1945, with the death of Roosevelt, winning the War was still the most important focus of the National Governments. Defeat of Germany all but concluded, still was on everyone’s mind. Victory in the Pacific a sure thing but not as close was a little more troublesome. Wallace was already looking to the Post War period. We should already be on a path to full employment. This could be insured only if we elected a liberal congress. Wallace at the same time made it clear he was not interested in running for office in 1948. (3)
In 1945 with the Soviet Union politically and economically exhausted by the War, the U.S.S.R. was not any serious threat to the U.S. But, with Soviet troops already in much of Eastern Europe and because they got there, fighting German troops they were there to stay. With U.S. troops in France and Italy by May 1945, indigenous communists would have only a limited influence no matter how popular or powerful. Therefore from the beginning Truman defined this situation no matter how challenging or costly it was a confrontation America could not afford to loose. On the American side from the top levels of his administration there began an intensive reeducation of the American people to truly embrace the philosophy of a real and present Soviet threat to national security. The strong isolationist tendencies native in much of the American population would need to be replaced with patriotism being defined as doing what is necessary for national security. Thus, anyone either sympathetic to the Soviets or claiming that they were really not that serious of a threat were either soviet agents or to cowardly to fight for what is right. This would require Democrats and Republicans to cooperate in their anti-communists legislation. No longer the fear that New Deal liberalism will lead to socialism and then to communism, but real subversive activities under the close direction of a foreign power. Though the threat was in the beginning manufactured, it soon would become real. Truman created his own reality. Feeling threatened the Soviets acted in ways that justified Truman’s position. Though never a serious threat domestic communist in America because of their uncritical support of the Soviet Union made them easy targets. Anti-anti-communists found themselves in a quandary either give into what could be used to lend support to the red-baiters, or be accused of being supporters of subversive activities and therefore traitors. A balanced approach became exceedingly difficult. This domestic situation further justified the irrational fear gripping the nation. Truman had successfully created a situation in which he had no choice but to confront the Soviets directly. Roosevelt style of negotiations was now impossible. (1)
In 1945 it was assumed that Britain, the U.S. and the Soviet Union shared a common interest in maintaining global peace. The Soviet Union own self interest in rebuilding after the war would mean if given a chance they would work closely with its’ war time allies to achieve a greatly strengthened United Nations that could be used to resolve any differences before they turned into conflicts. (1)
Truman began with a serious distrust of the Soviet Union. This would escalate year by year. In order to protect the peoples of Western Europe, Japan and South Korea it would be necessary to have a strong military presence as a fortification from Communist aggression. Any Soviet attempt to establish a similar presence in Eastern Europe was taken as proof of Soviet aggression. The occurrence of large indigenous Communist Parties in Italy and France was also seen as proof of an international Communist conspiracy headed by the Soviet Communist Party. Catholic resistance in Yugoslavia was proof of freedom loving people refusing to accept Communist aggression without a fight. Needless to say, the Soviets soon acted in a way that lent to Truman’s accusations.
Because World War II destroyed the political and economic foundations of a larger European society, there was a power vacuum. Even though the Soviet Union suffered the heaviest losses the defeat and dismemberment of Germany would create an opportunity for the Soviets to establish a political presence every where that the Red Army liberated European Soil from fascism. With a Soviet authority strongly established in Eastern Europe and U.S. influence firmly instituted in Western Europe, Europe was a divided camp. (1)
As Secretary of Commerce, Wallace would try to reorganize the department. Wallace was increasingly worried that Truman was changing US relations with the Soviets. Thus, Wallace began to speak out. The problem was any private meetings with Truman, Truman would agree with Wallace. It was the public policy statements Truman made that was upsetting to Wallace. (3)
Truman took the position that Revolution everywhere threatens America’s vision of the future. He further declared that the national independence movements were communist inspired, and must be stopped. In fact at the end of the War in Europe the Soviet Union was too shattered to be a serious threat to the US. The US had it’s own revolutionary traditions and now became the defender of the British Empire. The US lost its opportunity to become a part of the anti-colonial movements around the world. To make matters worse the US ended Lend-Lease to the Soviets even before Japan was defeated. Washington already forgot the tremendous contribution the Soviets made to the defeat of Germany. (3)
In May Truman met with representatives from the National Citizens Political Action Committee. The Committee asked why he was abandoning the peaceful relations that Roosevelt worked out with the Soviets. Truman told them that he believed that the Soviets could not be trusted and force was all they could understand. Being a product of machine politics, he surrounded himself with powerful machine Democrats, corporate executives and top military officers who were strongly anti communist and pro-imperialist. The representatives began to seriously question if they could work with the Democrats. (3)
Moscow and Washington began to openly debate the future of Poland, Japan, the United Nations, China, Germany and atomic weapons. These questions became snarled as the Roosevelt policy that negociations requires give and take was replace by the Truman strategy that any compromise is appeasement. (3)
By July 23rd Truman and the British no longer it thought advisable to have Soviet Aid in the war in the Pacific. The successful test of the bomb made that unnecessary. Truman tried to put pressure on China to hold its ground in its negociations with the Soviets. But, the Soviets were in a better position than either the Chinese or the Americans thus a treaty was concluded
When the Soviets declared war on Japan and the two bombs were dropped the Soviet troops were already in Manchuria. Fearful of the Soviet support of Chinese Communist Chinese the Nationalist signed a treaty with the Soviet on the Soviets terms August 14. The Japanese troops in Manchuria, Korea North of the 38th parallel and Karafuto surrendered to the Soviets. In the rest of China the Japanese troops surrendered to the Nationalists. The Soviets occupied the Kurile Islands August 27th. The Soviets were kept out of Hokkaido. (1)
After the war was over the agreements with the Soviets to bring them into the War now seem to be unnecessary and wrong. Secret negociations with the Soviet Union would soon be seen as subversion, because by September relations between the Soviet Union and the US had already soured. The U.S had given too much away to our new enemy and got too little in return. (1)
Roosevelt had the position we could gain Soviet support for the U.S. presence in Western Europe albeit of the strong Communist Parties in France and Italy and to a lesser degree the Netherlands. In return the U.S. would have little choice but to recognize Soviet security interests in Eastern Europe. Truman had a different idea on what was happening. The Soviets could not be trusted and containment was the minimum we could pursue in our relationship with the Soviets. Truman had his own interpretation of Yalta. Many liberals close to Roosevelt and of course the Soviets felt Truman discredited Yalta. Because Roosevelt was at Yalta this would discredit the Democratic Party. This would make Roosevelt seem weak, or Truman seem dishonest. (1)
The United States in the fall of 1945 was the only superpower remaining. Defeated nations of Germany, Italy, Japan was in ruins. Britain, France and the Soviet Union were nearly in ruins. The Great World Empires were ripe with anti-colonial passions and look like their days were numbered. Truman saw as his personal mission was to save these empires. He wanted to resurrect Britain and France as world powers tied to the US and to limit the Soviet influence through containment. He saw it as important to recreate the entire world in the image of America. If the great empires could be preserved then when they did become independent they would establish governments approved by the US government. Thus, making a world safe for US corporate investments was far more important than defending democracy. (3)
November 1945 Patrick Hurley U.S. Ambassador to China resigned protesting foreign policy because it gave too much to outside imperialists particularly the British and the Soviets. This resulted in a special investigation by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in December. The results were that Senator Styles Bridges Republican from New Hampshire condemned the Yalta agreement, because China was not represented on issues affecting China and Secretary of State Brynes denied Hurley’s charge. (1)
But, also the same Ambassador Mr. Hurley told Truman in November 1945 that the Soviets could be encouraged to support a united and democratic China, without other concessions. U.S. Ambassador to the U.S.S.R. Averell Harriman doubted that the Soviets could be trusted with or without concessions. George Kennan a Soviet expert agreed with Harriman. (1)
February 1946 the Soviet occupation of the Kurile Islands and Sakhalin was a done deal. Now, the question was this occupation a temporary one while waiting for final terms of the peace agreements to be worked out in its details? Was the occupation a permanent one like the Soviets claimed? At first James Byrnes was forced to agree with the Soviets because he was aware of the discussions leading up to the Yalta agreement. Later Byrnes would change his mind claiming he wasn’t aware. (1)
Both the Soviets and Truman claim the other side was acting in bad faith. Each claimed their side was adhering to the spirit and letter of Yalta. Theories of bad faith limited each side’s ability to negotiate. Truman went public about his distrust of the Soviets, at a time when many Americans looked upon the Soviets as an ally. However, as Truman’s point of view took hold Truman would be judged by how well he handled the Soviet threat. Both sides acted toward the other side in ways that prove their mutual distrust was well founded. (1)
At the end of the War the Soviet Union was far weaker than the US. The Communist Party of the Soviet Union could offer only moral support to the very large and powerful Communist Parties of France and Italy. The Soviets would support the Greek Communists even less in genuine terms. The U.S. really wasn’t going to invade to liberate Poland or any other Eastern country. But, the division was real and each side claimed the other side was not acting fairly. (1)
The U.S. would take a proactive role in Europe protecting Western Europe from Communist both indigenous and foreign. The U.S. continued to openly criticize the Soviet aggression in Eastern Europe. This was called containment. (1)
The Soviets could be trusted to act in very similar ways. This only proved that the Soviets were the aggressor and our actions justified. The U.S. took it upon itself to help both the British and French Empires to become reestablished. But, the Levant, the Mediterranean, Southwest Asia, East Asia would be under joint U.S. and British command. The French would regain control over Indochina. Leaving anti-colonial and national liberation open to Marxism. (1)
National Communism Parties in Western Europe and in Greece were seen as an important threat to U.S. security at home and in Europe. Truman then would argue that the U.S. would need to a take strong for humanitarian reasons to protect democracies in those countries. If any Western European Nation went Communist then another would fall and another. It didn’t matter if the Communists won elections or took over by military force the result we be the same, the end of democracy. (1)
Because, the Soviet Union was far weaker than the United States at the end of World War II and because the Soviets were only able to offer minimal support to the respectably robust and significant Communist Parties in France, Italy and Greece, Stalin would use his influence to pressure these parties to limit their demands in order not to provoke the U.S. In return the U.S. would not invade Poland or any Eastern European country under the influence of the U.S.S.R., or occupied by the Red Army. However, both major powers would offer encouragement to dissidents that were opposed to either the U.S. in Western Europe or the Soviets in Eastern Europe. This created ever-mounting tensions between the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R. The United States would take a proactive role in maintaining its presence in Europe while actively challenging the Soviet’s role this was called containment. (1)
The U.S. was the defender of independence while the Soviets were aggressors threatening the liberty of freedom loving people according to Washington. The dissidents in Eastern Europe were freedom fighters. The Communists in France or Italy were subversive slaves of Moscow. (1)
The Middle East, China, French Indochina would all be regions of concern for the Truman Administration. If the British and French homelands were on the ropes, then their colonies and semi-colonies were descending into anarchy, according to the Truman administration. Because the U.S. government took this position Marxism would become even more attractive as a major voice in future anti-colonial struggles. Marxism would eloquently explain why the U.S. behaved the way it did in relation to national liberation. (1)
Because of the changing world scene, the British world dominance was rapidly slipping away; this would be picked up either by the USA or the U.S.S.R. according to advisors close to Truman. Truman Administration would soon begin an aggressive domestic policy of shock therapy to prepare the American people for America’s new role as world leader. This really took shape March 1947. The World situation was in reality awful and the Soviet Union was incredibly badly behaved as outline by Truman. Only America could save democracy according to this theory. (1)
The U.S. because of its close alliance with Britain placed the U.S in the position of maintaining a decaying empire and positioned the U.S. in the strategy struggling against local national independence movements. This allowed the Soviets to be the defenders of progress and the U.S. would be the protector of reaction. Now to protect the British Empire the U.S. the French and Dutch Empires, the U.S. had to try to control these independence movements. The U.S. tries to insure the continuation of colonial rule until friendly governments open to outside investments could be set up. This along with the U.S. attempt to maintain an atomic monopoly by making nuclear research classified that was tightly controlled by the U.S. military would guarantee an out of control arms race with the Soviets and geo-politics dominated by escalating paranoia. (2)
Both the Congress and the Truman Administration agreed by the end of the War that the Communist Party USA represented no real danger to the United States. Yet, because their association with the Soviet Union it was easy to call them traitors and target them. This in turn could be used to stifle dissent of Truman and his foreign policy. By equating the US Party with the Soviet Union, it allowed Truman to target the very serious threat to his Imperial dreams posed by the large, popular and openly legal Communist Parties of France, Italy and Greece. The Parties in these countries and the larger populations held the Soviet Union with great admiration and approval. Thus, the Soviet example played an important role in the day-to-day operations of Communist Parties in these countries. The Government in Washington saw Italy, Greece and France as important to stay within the American sphere of influence. Communists no matter if they participated democratically in the political of these countries were still a serious threat to democracy. By tolerating what by all appearances was a inconsequential irritation within the American political culture it would seem hypercritical to be so worried about Communist Parties operating legally and democratically within the political environment of our allies. (1)
Also because of the increasing anti-colonial movements in the French, British and Dutch colonies and the popular pro-Soviet Communist influence within those movements and increasingly anti-American feelings that strongly indentified with those anti-colonial movements in the nominally independent Latin American countries Communism everywhere would be seen as an evil international conspiracy. It did not matter where or how powerful or weak the national Communist party was they would be presented to the general public as the same. (2)
At first the end of the War in Europe the congressional Republicans and conservative Democrats would emphasize a connection between communism and the New Deal. Truman’s distrust of the Soviets was a result of him replacing New Deal Democrats with powerful corporate executives and military senior officers who carried a hatred of not only the Soviet Union but also any form of socialism. The alliance the Roosevelt worked so hard to establish would be so easily thrown away. (2)
Because the FBI and Congress would challenge Truman’s anti-communism, Truman would tie the Pro-Soviet CPUSA with the Soviet Union Truman would change the debate from liberal policies to being Red was treason. Hoover would change FBI policies and cooperate with making this connection. (2)
Now Hoover was working openly with both Truman and Truman’s Republican opponents. Any questioning Hoover’s of authority was seen as a threat to America and cooperating with the Communists. Truman would try to do the same, but being President could not carry the same authority with a officially authorized police force that legally operated in secret. (2)
Hoover from the days of the first red scare of 1919, never really changed, He saw the communist in a any guise as being anything but totally evil and thus the single greatest threat America ever faced. He knew things about anyone who would distrust his influence or organization would be by definition as playing into the hands of the communists and thus a communist sympathizer. (2)
Because the only tolerable competition among so called liberals was between left anti-communists and the Truman Administration not really liberal. This kept progressives, social democrats, socialists and other left of center critics from challenging the ideology of national arrogance, Keynesian capitalism and global dominance of US capital. Like the conservative Southern Democrats, Republicans and corporate executive left anti-communists major source of information was from the FBI who in turn kept the source of their sources confidential. The FBI along with Southern Democrats, Republicans and corporate executive confronted Truman, the ADA, CIO and anyone to the left of them, no matter how anti=communist they were, for not being anti-communist enough. Both wings of the anti-communists advocated getting tough with the Soviet Union. The also agreed on the suspension of civil liberties of any critics of US foreign polices be the skeptic a Communist, so called Fellow Traveler”, pacifist, anti-anti- communists, civil libertarian or just a thinker. This even went so far as the labor anti-communists were a gift from heaven for the anti-labor capitalist by standardizing, pacifying, taming, appeasing, and mollifying the labor movement by removing its dynamism. The liberals themselves became insular. American intellectuals redefined the vocabulary of crucial knowledgeable education. (2)
Labor Management Conference called by Truman November 1945. Now capital moved against organized labor. Only a set of trained and housebroken set of unions that would remain under the government’s thumb while protecting private ownership, cooperate investments and the prerogatives management. With the Cold War escalating the Soviet Union reacting with increasing frustration and Truman milking this for all it is worth, the troubles became a part of everyday life. Union was required to rid themselves of all talk of class conflict and replace this with patriotic class collaboration. The cooperation between labor, capital and government really meant cooperation between government and capital with labor being limited to bargaining over wage, benefits and shop conditions leaving private property unchallenged.
1946
Wallace would head up the National Citizen Political Action Committee that was started up by the CIO and Beanie Baldwin as head Farm Security Administration. Wallace at the CIO national convention when speaking would step aside to give the floor to Sidney Hillman. Then Wallace retook the floor he would say that the world was moving forward toward democracy. The British have chosen to support reactionary forces around the world. The US if it supports Britain will find itself on the side of worldwide reaction. (3)
Truman’s domestic policies on internal security were in part responsible for establishing a political atmosphere in which what would later be called McCarthyism was established. Fear of an international conspiracy created an overly simplistic answer for a whole set of very complex problems. (1)
Truman early on replaced University trained intellectuals at the core of New Deal policy makers with senior military officers, top corporate level executives from the world of business, and old guard urban machine Democrats. Because of this the people Truman surrounded himself with came into government with a strong anti-communist bias. They saw any social democratic, social unionism or civil rights activists as people needing to be watched very closely. The fear of communist influence for possible dissenters was beginning to be discussed by mid-1946 even before the disastrous November elections. Tom Clark was already advising Truman along these lines. This along with Truman’s course of action in dealing with Communism in Europe and Soviet troops stationed in much of Eastern Europe gave the President an edge in mobilizing support for his foreign policy and limiting dissent. The Truman administration used the Communist threat, as it’s major crusade to mobilize support within the US to establish a U.S. presence around the world. (1)
March 1946, Winston Churchill spoke at Fulton Missouri; Harry Truman introduced him and listened to the speech. This was his famous Iron Curtain speech. Iron Curtain was a term he had already introduced August 16, 1945 before the House of Commons. Churchill, an unapologetic defender of British Imperialism, including the spreading of global markets, Christianity and British political control, was complaining regarding and apprehensive about Soviet expansion into Eastern Europe and Marxism’s tendency to proselytize. Marxism was organized and spreading the “word” everywhere outside of the Anglo-Saxon world. The English-speaking people must develop a robust affinity creating a union for friendship, mutual aid, benefit and understanding. He further recommended the joint UK and US use and command of all military bases around the world. (4)
Representative Adolf J. Sabath of Illinois pointed out the Mr. Churchill was already on record as not ever wanting the end of Empire, and he hopes the US can save the putrefying and faltering British Empire from the desires of freedom among the colonial subjects. Senators Claude Pepper of Florida, Harley Kilgore of West Virginia and Glen Taylor of Idaho went on record opposing the speech as a direct threat to the United Nations and the Big three alliance and a direct provocation. The official position of the CIO was people want peace and to work through the United Nations for that end. Only by maintaining the peaceful alliance of the Soviet Union, Britain and the US that was born during the last War can future wars be avoided. The Anglo-American alliance was a direct threat to the United Nations and a focused straightforward menace to the Soviets. (4)
All ready in the State Department George Kennan was claiming that the US and the USSR cannot hope to have the satisfaction of political familiarity, as they are competitors. The US must intensify a great deal the demanding anxiety placed upon the Soviets to force them to be more cooperative. Others in to business community took this and added the needs of Industry and national defense are the same. The US must become the new Britain in the world to maintain a single global economy under US control. Roosevelt knew the days of Empire were numbered. The British, French and Dutch Empire like the US control over the Philippines would need to be dismantled. Truman would side with the Imperialists and not the growing democratic anti-colonial movement. (4)
March 20, 1946 Claude Pepper said the Soviets had every right to fear this growing US Great Britain global vision of a new but continuing Anglo Saxon global dominance. We were back again to the days just before the last two wars in which peace was averted in the name of Nationalism and Empire. (4)
April 12, 1946 Wallace spoke at the commemoration of the death of Franklin Roosevelt. Wallace stated that the US has no more in common with the British Empire than with the Communist party of the Soviet Union. Both Frank Kingdon and Henry A. Wallace stated that the US security and strength rested with working through the UN. (4)
Wayne Morse was there a strong supporter of Roosevelt and the new Deal and a Republican. One of the last progressive Republicans and believed there was still a chance for the progressive Republicans to take over the party. (4)
Claude pepper warned about that the reactionary wing of the Democratic Party who successfully filibustered attempts to eliminate the poll tax. Unless the liberals take over the Democratic Party, the Party would be lost to liberalism. Wallace added that the Democratic Party was in serious trouble, but Wallace being a former Republican himself, disagreed with Wayne Morse, only the Democratic Party could be a home for progressives. In 1946 Wallace still held out hope for the Democrats and felt that talk of a third party was premature. But, a political realignment was past due the progressive should all be in one party. Somehow progressive Republicans should join Progressive Democrats against the forces of reaction. To do that the Democratic Party had to deal with the conservative and reactionary Democrats that were holding the party hostage. Wallace felt that a third party could not challenge either party as a real alternative. It would be too difficult to either get on the ballot in enough states or make a real impact politically. Wallace was already beginning to lose faith in the Democratic Party, but did not at this time see a way out for progressives and liberals. In New York both the American Labor Party and the Liberal Party united with the Democratic Party in state elections, hoping to turn the Democratic Party into a liberal party. (4)
Tom Clark drew a connection between the Soviet influence in Eastern Europe and the very large and popular parties in France and Italy and the Communist Party USA. By making this connection he could claim that the internal security was in danger by this serious international menace. Tom Clark also made the connection between the poor human rights record in the Soviet Union, with the Communist Party, as an atheist organization claiming without Christianity, democracy itself would be in danger. (2)
In 1945 and early 1946 Truman seemed uninterested in this second red scare. There wasn’t much support in the nation as a whole if polls mean anything. Both the fear of immigrant opinions corrupting traditional American values with radical foreign ideas and New Deal slipping into real socialism failed to gain broad popular support. The shift from concern of a socialist economy replacing capitalism to a threat of an overseas seditious conspiracy with its internal subversive supporters was a Truman conception. One in which by his second administration Truman would lose control of this his baby. (1
The famous speech September 12, 1946 Henry Wallace addressed at Madison Square Garden a crowd of supporters. Because of this speech Truman fired him. In the Speech Wallace condemned both the Soviet Union and the United States. Communists in the audience cheered when Wallace disparaged the US and booed when criticized the Soviet Union. Most Communists were beginning to fear the rightwing shift in American politics and that this might lead to fascism at home and a War with the Soviet Union. Progressives and Communists in the Popular front would continue working together ignoring the leadership in both the Democratic and Communist parties as well as in the CIO. (2)
Wallace’s September 12th, 1946 speech was given. In spite of Truman’s later denials, Mr. Truman did have an advanced copy of the speech. Then copies were distributed to the press in advance of his delivery at Madison Square Garden. The speech would be his most controversial to date. It included a plea to end segregation, racism in our unions, schools, and business hiring. There must be free trade among equals. Meaning an end to colonialism and a commitment to national sovereignty and international economic development everywhere with no strings attached. The US must understand that Soviet mistrust of the West was justified given the US, British, French and other nations intervention after the Russian Revolution. Marxism in the Soviet Union was in part changed by those events. This would translate that Truman’s get tough policies were doomed to fail, the tougher the US got towards the Soviets the tougher the Soviets would react toward the US. In our relations with the Soviets the US is now supporting reactionary and fascist nations around the world who formerly supported the Axis powers in the last war, only because they are anti-communist. Their horrifying human-rights record does not come into play. The Soviets are justified in their concerns about the US commitment to help the British save their empire, in spite of the appalling human rights record of that empire. The fact that the US was willing to use military force to secure an oil monopoly in South West Asia and North Africa was wrong. The Soviet Union must be assured of a permanent demilitarized Germany. The Soviets would need to work on establishing more personal freedoms and civil liberties. The US would need to become more concerned with increasing social-economic justice. We could learn from each other. Atomic power and research should become exclusively under the control of the United Nations. The military bases both the British and the US have established around the world should also be placed under the control of the United Nations. There must be some way of enforcing international law based upon moral principles not national interests. (4)
Truman and Byrnes had their problems, Byrnes even offered to resign as of April 16, 1946, and Truman refused to accept his resignation. September 14, 1946 Senators Vandenberg, and Connally made a formal statement accusing Wallace of undermining national unity. September 16 Byrnes gave Truman an ultimatum it is either Wallace or Byrnes would have to go. Charles Ross the White House press secretary gave Wallace permission to release a letter Wallace sent to Truman July 23, 1946. In which Wallace openly criticized the Truman plan about control over atomic energy and research. The contents run something like this. Wallace made the point increased military armaments leads to an arms race and an arms race leads to war not peace. The continuation of nuclear testing only leads to international dread and dislike directed towards the United States. Building military bases in other countries all around the world makes the US look like a war loving nation. The Soviets have no bases outside of Eastern Europe. The US has an atomic monopoly with bombers poised all around their boarders. Do we really feel this is the way to peace? Atomic weapons are cheap and easy to produce. Scientific information cannot be kept as a secret. It is only a matter of time and very short period of time before several nations will have atomic weapons. More is not better in the matter of atomic weapons, because overkill is easily obtained. It is stupid to think we can arm ourselves for national security. The more weapons we have the greater is the danger to us. As difficult as peace may seem, it requires that both side must be willing to try. Capitalism and socialism are competitors and fear is not the only away to challenge our opponents. Only by peaceful competition can war be averted. No more than by encouraging a nonviolent challenge can this confrontation be stopped from happening. The US insensitivity to the real security concerns of the Soviet Union is a real problem. Defending the immoral and corrupt British Empire is indefensible. The history of repeated invasions of Russia and the Soviet Union is part of the national psychology of the Soviets. After the Russian Revolution, from 1918 to 1921 the Soviets were invaded by first the Germans until a separate peace was signed than after the War from 1919 to 1921 by the Japanese, French, British, US and several other smaller nations arming and fighting along side of the Whites until the Reds finally won a broken and destitute nation. The Western powers lack of courage in confronting fascism, rearming Germany and after War finally came holding off on the second front until 1944 is it any wonder the Soviets did not trust the West. One world means that both US and USSR security needs, need to be respected. The control of atomic energy and research must be placed under the control of the UN. The UN and its international authority is the best hope for peace. The UN then must take on a new urgency. (4)
Wallace took the position that all atomic research must remain open for international community of science to candidly share the results of the latest findings. There can be no compromise on civilian control over atomic power and how it is used. All nations including the US who held the single monopoly on this should remain open and submit to regular UN inspections. Stimson agreed with Wallace. Nearly the entire atomic scientist also supported the Wallace-Stimson plan. The scientist formally took the position that it would be foolish to try to keep atomic research a secret. It was not a matter of national security, if fact it would gravely endanger national security by encouraging an arms race. There were really no secrets; it was a matter of science. Robert Oppenheimer pointed out the stupidity of placing nuclear research under the influence of the armed forces and tightly control by the federal government to keep it under military control. On Friday September 20, 1946 Truman fired Wallace. (4)
Wallace spoke in the Olympia Auditorium in the audience included members of the Independent Citizens Committee of the Arts, Sciences and Professions, Congress of Industrial Organization’s Political Action Committee, the Progressive AFL Committee for Political and Legislative Action, and the Railroad Brotherhoods Joint Legislative Council calling for Democrats to embrace their progressive roots. (4)
With the firing of Wallace, Truman issued an executive order prohibiting anyone that was employed through the executive branch from making any statements that could be taken as critical of any part of US foreign policy. Wallace continued to advocate peace with the Soviets, full employment at home, the end to imperialism and colonialism everywhere, real collective bargaining and the right to form unions of the choice of the employees and took keep nationalism and fascism from taking root. The Democratic National Committee canceled any speeches by Wallace for the up coming elections. (4)
The November 5, elections 1946 were a total loss for the Democrats. Roosevelt was still an American Hero and New Deal a part of the American Consciousness. Democrats under Truman abandoned Roosevelt and the New Deal and returned to the old Democratic Party of political cronyism and corporate back alley fornication. With a low turnout the Republicans won big. Thirty-seven percent of the eligible voters turned out. Total vote drop from 1944 was as follows; Democratic vote dropped from 25 million to 15 million and the Republican vote dropped from 22 million to 18 million. Truman and not the Democrats lost the mid-term election. Many progressive simply lost faith in the Democratic Party and the electoral process. Rather than voting Republican they simply stayed home. Though Truman failed to get the message. (4)
Shortly after the elections the US Representative from Harlem, Adam Clayton Powell introduced Henry Wallace as our next President. The debate increased whether we could take over the Democratic Party or whether a new party would be needed. Truman lifted wage and price controls allow to business to lower wages and raise prices. Many in labor saw this as the last straw. Also universal military training and a peacetime draft supported by Truman were not very popular. Ending German cartels, ending the class structure that supported Japanese militarism, ending imperialism, China without outside intervention in which all the political parties could participate including the Communists, quarantines of Spain and Argentina were some of the issues supported. Stopping the spread of US military bases around the world was important. Ending military control over the atomic program and the international outlawing of atomic weapons very important. (4)
June 26 – 29 1946 the School of Political Action Techniques offered courses on political strategy, political organizations, and political groups. Baldwin hoped this school would lead the way to a new party, to overcome bipartisan policies. Others thought the school could be used to win back the Democratic Party from the forces of reaction. Some thought that first we should try to win back the Democratic Party failing that then and only then we talk about a new party. Still others thought any talk of a third party was dangerous and would lead to a Republican victory. (3)
In 1946 Truman while trying to stop a railroad strike had the government take control of the railroads and went to congress to ask for the powers to draft the strikers into the Army. Of course this angered most union members across the country. (3)
Over much opposition Truman in 1946 lifted price controls. Claiming his faith in the market, prices rose rapidly. When coal miners struck the president seized the mines to break the strike. Then four days later he went before congress to make a pitiless and abrasive anti-labor speech. Then a railroad strike was forestalled by a last minute agreement between operators and the railway brotherhoods. Truman was advised not to deliver his speech in full. But he asked for the power to break strikes and to draft the strikers into the army. He further ask for the authority to take away workers rights as outlined by the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act for workers refusing to return to work. Labor leaders who did not cooperate would be imprisoned. (4)
The House passed Truman’s request by a vote of 306 to 13, however the Senate refused to go along. A. F. Whitney president of the international Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen declared war on both the president and the 79th Congress. Michael Quill of the Transport workers Union claimed the President became the number one strikebreaker. The United Auto Workers of America passed a resolution claim the Truman administration surrendered to the captains of industry; this was a step towards fascism James Patton of the National Farmers Union claimed small farmers have lost confidence in the current administration. Patton further stated Truman has betrayed the fight for public health, rural housing, river valley authorities, federal aid to education and of course the Farm Security administration. (4)
In 1946 the Soviet Union was no threat. Exhausted by the Great War (WWI), Russia had two revolutions in 1917; many riots and demonstrations before signing a humiliating separate peace with Germany. Shortly after the Communists came to power the new Soviet Union became a pariah state. The first three years after the Revolution, the new Soviet Union was surrounded and invaded by most of the world’s major powers. These same governments armed the counterrevolutionary whites. Exhausted by War and Civil War, famine, destruction of farms, factories, and railroads the Soviet economy was in ruins. The Soviets were able to build a major economy only through the most brutal, cruel, draconian, terrible, pitiless, drastic and centralized methods. Then Germany invaded. The Soviets defeated the Germans or at least were the major contributors to the defeat of Germany at the cost of between 20 and 30 million military and civilian deaths. Once again the Soviet started over again building up from ruins. (3)
The beginning of the Cold War there was fault on both sides, though the majority of the fault rests with the United States. The Soviets were distrustful for the reasons outlined above, besides the second front was delayed until a Soviet victory was assured. Truman needed a common enemy to nail down bipartisan support for his foreign policy of making America the new “Britain” and the center of global capitalism. (3)
Truman by early 1946 was openly criticized by most liberals for the failure to embrace the policies of the New Deal. The Deal was clearly put on hold during the war, and the post war period would be a perfect time to jump-start the programs and even to greatly expand them. In the early days of 1946 most liberals felt Truman wasn’t doing enough to concern himself with the returning veterans particularly industrial workers, youth, minorities, public works programs at home or to rebuild Europe after the War. Truman wasn’t taking the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration seriously. Roosevelt supported the anti-colonial movements around the world. Truman supported the British and French Empires. Truman ordered the Japanese troops not to turn in their weapons to the national liberation troops in Indochina and Indonesia but to wait and surrender to the allies so that the French and Dutch could return via the British. Leading directly to the future Vietnam War and the Indonesian massacre of 1965. Finally Truman’s decision to remove the atomic research from the scientific Community and place under military command as classified research led directly to Cold War espionage and an arms race absurdity, silliness, inanity and of course futility. (2)
Scientist within the US thought it would be impossible to keep atomic secrets for long. To forestall a destructive arms race, they called for the international scientific community to share publically the information coming from the latest research under UN supervision. James Forrestal Secretary of the Navy leaked to the press that Wallace wants to give the bomb to “Russia”. What Wallace said was it was pointless and impossible to keep atomic secrets from the Soviets as their best minds were already researching and not that far behind us. By keeping this research secret in order to maintain an atomic weapons monopoly only created a world of hostility and fear. (2)
Wallace September 12, 1946 the famous Madison Square Garden speech that got him fired from the Truman Cabinet. Wallace first cleared this speech with Truman. Copies were given to the press. Wallace outlined the direction he believed the US should take. In the US there was prejudice, lynching, belief in racial superiority and racial segregation this would need to come to and end. We must make it a top priority to stop racism were ever it crops up. We must work to end colonialism and imperialism. Globally the US as the only surviving economy must work through the United Nations to rebuild globally the war torn nations. Trade among equals must replace colonies and dependencies. When the less developed nations become fully modern and achieve a decent standard of living we are on our way to peace and stability. As far as the Soviet Union is concerned the more hostile we are towards them the more they will distrust us and act accordingly. The US was supporting the old imperial powers of Europe and Britain. We were protecting and siding with reactionary, semi-fascists and fully fascist regimes around the world in our struggle against communism. Anti-communism allowed the US to publicly support all kinds of evil. Our anti-Soviet course of action guided both the foreign and domestic policies. To the US government Cheap oil and saving the British Empire was more important than world peace. While openly criticizing the Soviet interference in Eastern Europe, Washington was silent about US relations with Western Europe and Latin America. Imperialism is a far greater threat to world peace than the Soviets. US foreign policies was the best advertisement for communism, the Soviet can set back and let us spread communism. (3)
Hoover targeted members of the scientific community as left leaning and potentially sympathetic to communism. Many scientists were investigated. Atomic scientists were particularly interesting. All criticism of the Truman administration dried up, or the individual scientist was marginalized within his or her own discipline. (2)
Phillip Murray was sympathetic, but advised against a third party at this time. (2)
A. Philip Randolph of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters April 7, 1946 suggested we form an educational committee. On May 4, 1946 he started officially an educational campaign to prepare workers for the formation of a third party. (2)
A. Philip Randolph speaking before the joint Conference on Human Relations, Catholic Interracial Committee, Negro Labor Committee, Jewish Labor Committee, and Presbyterian Institute of Industrial Relations called both parties spiritually, economically and morally bankrupt. The CIO’s only loyalty is to fight all forms of reaction and totalitarianism. Neither party represents the interests of the democratic people’s of America. (4)
Political Action Resolution Executive Board of the United Auto Worker April 1946 stated the need to work for a third party representing labor, working farmers, professionals and all people who believe in a progressive agenda. (2)
From March 1946 to nearly the end of the year’s mid-term elections talk about a third party abound. The Executive Board of the United Auto Workers passed the Political Action Resolution calling for a political declaration of resolve. There was to be a beginning of the work to set up a third party. Workers, farmers, professional and other progressives are left without representation. (4)
Textile Workers union meeting at Atlantic City on April 24 – 27 1946 came out against a third party, but kept the door open in the future. Instead labor and progressives should work to take over the Democratic Party. (2)
May 24, 1946 International Fur and Leather Workers Union gave full support to the establishment of a third party. (2)
Textile Workers Came out against a third party for practical reasons, though the idea was very attractive and should be kept as a long-term goal. (4)
The Fur and Leather Workers would give its full support to establishing a third party as the only hope for progressives. Both the International Ladies Garment Workers and the United Hatters, Cap, and Millinery workers officials would come out against a third party. While having no love or loyalty to Truman and no respect, devotion to or dedication to the current trend in the Democratic Party they felt that neither Labor nor other progressive forces had the resources, perseverance or organization to create a third party that could not do anything other than hand the Republicans a victory. Republicans were a far more serious threat. The Democratic Party could not be reformed. But, to replace the Democratic Party must be a long-term goal. Only when the capital, resolve and relationship to other alliance of forces encouraging improvements, reform, and reorganization, are firmly established could a new party be formed; but, not as a third party but a replacement for the Democratic Party. A meeting of CIO shop stewards came out against Labor being either tied to one or the other party or playing both parties to get the best deal. Labor should remain independent of either party, running its own candidates in primaries in what ever party they have the best chance of winning. The United Auto Workers reentered the debate. Walter Reuther advocated a realignment of all progressive elements in either party to come together and form a single party, but he felt 1948 was to close to pull this off, 1952 would be the soonest this could possibly come to fruition. The United Packinghouse Workers resolve because of loss of faith in Truman who has abandoned the Roosevelt agenda, Democrats must seriously rethink their relationship to Labor. Teamsters’ leaders claimed not all Democrats were loyal to Labor and this is a problem. They warned unless something is done, there will be a low turn out for mid-term elections and Democrats will lose their majority in both houses of congress. (4)
May 26, 1946 Michael Quill of the Transport Workers Union of America called for the end of support for the Democrats. That labor should act independently. Labor should have a two-prong strategy, to act outside of political parties and that the formation of a labor party was supplemental but necessary. (2)
David Dubinsky president of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union stated that labor had neither the power to create a third party or bore from within to take over the Democrats. Labor’s only hope was to establish a third party and should start working making allies for that purpose. But, 1948 was too soon and maybe 1952 would be too soon. (2)
June 3 -7, 1946 in Montreal the United Packing Workers of America condemned Truman for breaking with Roosevelt’s New Deal. (2)
July 11, 1946 National Farmers Union (James Patton) lost confidence in the Truman administration. Truman abandoned public health, rural housing, river valley authority, federal aid to education and Farm Security Administration. (2)
Daniel Tobin International Brotherhood of Teamsters noted even the Democrats in congress have broken their pack with labor. (2)
Many progressives began to feel the Democrats were no longer the progressive party of Roosevelt. Many increasingly came to believe the Democrats were not even the lesser evil. The argument that a third party would only help the Republicans was no longer relevant. The third party was a vote of no confidence in the Democratic Party. The split within the liberal ranks was both bitter and complete. (3)
By May 1946 Philip Murray made it clear that he believed that there was no room in the CIO for Communists. This was truly ironic as his career and the CIO itself received dedicated support and very hard work making the 1930’s labor movement happen from individual Communists and Socialists. Murray and other top leaders of the CIO felt they needed the support of the National Democratic Party. This was at the same time as there was talk of starting a third party. Truman was in 1946 seen as a traitor to labor and the New Deal. The Unite Auto Workers in May 14, 1946 under new leadership of Walter Reuther to an even stronger anti-Communist stand. The Association of Catholic Trade Unionists was also putting pressure on Murray. Father Charles Owen Rice felt that by playing on devout Catholic faith he could separate Murray from Les Pressman and Len De Caux two Communists who were very close and devoted to Murray and the CIO. Father Rice became a director of the Association of Catholic Trade Unionists and as a fierce combatant against Communist influences would support no compromise with Marxism. Father Rice would live long enough to regret his anti-Communist attitude and during the protests against the Vietnam War in the late 1960’s. He would say in the 1960’s “I wished there was a stronger Communist presence in the trade unions today.” But, this break in 1946 with the Popular Front was important. All anti-fascist groups, including Communists, made fighting against sexism, racism, militarism and passive trade unionism easier. In Chicago a Conference of Progressives was held to keep the Popular Front going. But, it was too late. By November 1946 at the 8th CIO constitutional convention went on to implement an even stronger anti-communist plank. The Communist did not fight back as unity was still important. More and more Democrats would distance themselves from organized labor. Democratic National Committee hoped labor would stay loyal to the Democrats and they could go after the non-labor votes. (4)
Sidney Hillman was worried that the defeat of Germany did not end the threat of fascism. There were well-financed and powerful reactionary forces in the US wanting to control the US government and the rest of the world. The “American Century” was a direct threat to the United Nations. By propping enfeebled, putrefying and dishonest empires and pursuing American imperial dreams was destructive as well as irresponsible. Henry Morgenthau added by allow fascist regimes of Spain and Argentina, with US support, into the UN our government was establishing the US as a force for reaction and imperialism. (4)
US would help Britain rebuild and would never criticize human rights violations throughout the British Empire. The US refused to help the Soviet Union, so quickly forgetting the essential contributions made by the Red Army during the War. The US criticized the Soviet actions in Eastern Europe. But, any criticism of what the US was doing in Italy, France and later Greece was not acceptable. In the postwar period the US were on friendly terms with Spain and Portugal even though these two governments if they were not fascists they were certainly close. Argentine government was the good guys even though the government of Argentina was friendly to Nazis and fascist and saw its future with the Axis powers. (2)
China was a different problem. The China experts working for the government warned Truman that the Nationalist Chinese was a lost cause. Corruption and incompetence were as destructive to the Nationalist cause as the Communist army they were fighting. These skilled scholars were forced out of the government. They were accused of sympathy for the Communists. Their careers were over. New advisers were hired telling the administration what they wanted to hear. Anticommunism was more important than honest research. (2)
The US and Britain did not live up to the agreement to demilitarize, de-Nazify and decentralize Germany. The US handled atomic research very poorly. Science is not a national monopoly, and by keeping atomic research secret and under military control only encouraged other nations and who may feel threatened by the US to carry out their own research. The only way to stop an arms race is to hold international conferences and share the research. The atomic programs should be under UN control and the exclusive secret of any one nation. (4)
Wallace criticized Truman policy of the US for becoming the British Empires benefactor and protector. Propping decaying empires was absurd until one realizes Truman had two goals to make the US the only center of global capitalism and to do this by isolating and hopefully eliminating any socialist alternative. (2)
Atomic power was under control of the US War Department and classified. This cloak and dagger fantasy was clearly understood to be unsustainable. Wallace understood civilian oversight of atomic energy was not only more efficient, but was the foundation for the hope of world peace. The future atomic research should be under the jurisdiction of the scientific community; the findings would be made a matter of public record and would be for peaceful use only. Military control over atomic research greatly frustrated honest scientific research. Research would become corrupted by international politics. (2)
Truman and his advisors made decisions in 1946 that were to keep the Soviets weakened and to keep them as a humiliated enemy. The Soviet must never be able to challenge US global dominance. The Soviet Union must be threatened with swift action if it ever posed a threat to the US. Wallace warned if the US makes an enemy of the Soviets, then because of US actions the Soviets would in fact become a threat. Truman and his get tough policy, listening to his military advisers, expanded defense spending, protection and subservience to investment capital, support of British conservatives, the Vatican, compromise with Republican, Southern Democrats, Urban Machines made the Democratic Party just shy of organized crime. (2)
Phillip Murray was sympathetic, but advised against a third party at this time. (2)
A. Philip Randolph of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters April 7, 1946 suggested we form an educational committee. On May 4, 1946 he started officially an educational campaign to prepare workers for the formation of a third party. (2)
Political Action Resolution Executive Board of the United Auto Worker April 1946 stated the need to work for a third party representing labor, working farmers, professionals and all people who believe in a progressive agenda. (2)
Textile Workers union meeting at Atlantic City on April 24 – 27 1946 came out against a third party, but kept the door open in the future. Instead labor and progressives should work to take over the Democratic Party. (2)
May 24, 1946 International Fur and Leather Workers Union gave full support to the establishment of a third party. (2)
May 26, 1946 Michael Quill of the Transport Workers Union of America called for the end of support for the Democrats. That labor should act independently. Labor should have a two-prong strategy, to act outside of political parties and that the formation of a labor party was supplemental but necessary.(2)
David Dubinsky president of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union stated that labor had neither the power to create a third party or bore from within to take over the Democrats. Labor’s only hope was to establish a third party and should start working making allies for that purpose. But, 1948 was too soon and maybe 1952 would be too soon. (2)
June 3 -7, 1946 in Montreal the United Packing Workers of America condemned Truman for breaking with Roosevelt’s New Deal. (2)
July 11, 1946 National Farmers Union (James Patton) lost confidence in the Truman administration. Truman abandoned public health, rural housing, river valley authority, federal aid to education and Farm Security Administration. (2)
Daniel Tobin International Brotherhood of Teamsters noted even the Democrats in congress have broken their pack with labor. (2)
The Soviet Union called for the destruction of atomic weapons. They also wanted atomic control of atomic weapons under the UN Security Council in which the Soviets were one of the five permanent members thus they had a veto power. The issue for the Soviets was that the US monopoly of atomic weapons made the US and not the Soviets the global aggressor. The Soviet wanted for a general disarmament and all national armies placed under UN control. Further the Soviets felt the US accusing the Soviets acting in bad faith was intentionally provocative. (2)
It was obvious that having an atomic monopoly the US would be seen as a threat to any nation acting independently of the US. This was clearly part of the problem during the early Post War period. Within the Truman Cabinet a sharp debate ensued. Secretary of War Henry R. Stimson and Secretary of Commerce Henry Wallace wanted the US to share the research with the Soviets. By having this monopoly of atomic weapons only created an arms race threatening the future of humankind. George Kennan argued the Soviets could not be trusted. By having this monopoly insured that the USSR would never threaten the US. A phony compromise was then proposed by presidential adviser Bernard Baruch, the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission (UNAEC) would be established to control the spread and development of nuclear weapons and technology such as atomic energy. The US would keep its atomic monopoly until such time that the UN inspectors had access of all research, facilities, and technologies needed for the production of atomic weapons or power. The Soviets made a counter proposal that all atomic weapons be band. Both sides rejected the others proposal. (2)
September 17, 1946 Florida Senator Claude Pepper denounced Truman’s foreign policy. Pepper further condemned the Executive Order forbidding federal employees or executive branch appointees from speaking out against US foreign policies. Pepper claimed Truman was trying to supervise free speech. Then on September 20, 1946 Truman fired Wallace as secretary of Commerce. The next day Alabama Congressman Jon J Sparkman director of the Democratic National Committee canceled all future Democratic sponsored speeches by both Wallace and Pepper. In Chicago September 28, 1946 Progressive Democrats met inviting both Wallace and Pepper to speak. They wanted a return of the FDR peace plan, return to and expansion of the New Deal policies. They were opposed to colonialism and imperialism in any form. They insisted on a coalition government in China that included the Communists. They were also wanted the US to close down its’ military bases outside of the US or its territories. They want nuclear power to be a matter public scientific research, end of the US monopoly on atomic weapons, permanent atomic disarmament, and UN inspectors with freedom to implement policy. Truman saw the world divided between good US democratic Christianity against evil godless communism. US were fighting for freedom and the Soviets were fighting for tyranny. Wallace belief negociations are central to peace at any time in history and because the US and Soviets were allies during the last war, the foundation for negociations were already established. There was enough common interests between the two to establish a healthy relationship based upon an energetic competition between two different economic systems each benefiting from free trade among equals. By helping the Soviet Union rebuild, not only could the US show its’ gratitude for the contribution to victory by the Soviets but the US would create an ally and trading partner. (3)
Support came from NC/PAC, ICCASP, NFU, NAACP, and the CIO. But, things were already beginning to change. Philip Murray a Steel Worker Union organizer and an early founder of the CIO who in the mid to late 1930’s recruited Communist to work in the CIO, by 1946 with the Cold War would become increasingly anticommunist. The Cold War was growing in intensity; the first time in history unions had a working relationship with government because of the Wagner Act. The Catholic Church always anticommunist now intensified its anticommunist campaign. Not only Murray but also most workers in the CIO unions were Catholic. By May 1946 Murray insisted that the Steelworkers adopt an anticommunist plank. Most other unions soon followed. By November the CIO adopted such a plank. (3)
Truman saw the world divided between good US democratic Christianity against evil godless communism. US were fighting for freedom and the Soviets were fighting for tyranny. Wallace belief negociations are central to peace at any time in history and because the US and Soviets were allies during the last war, the foundation for negociations were already established. There was enough common interests between the two to establish a healthy relationship based upon an energetic competition between two different economic systems each benefiting from free trade among equals. By helping the Soviet Union rebuild, not only could the US show its’ gratitude for the contribution to victory by the Soviets but the US would create an ally and trading partner. (3)
As the Cold War intensified in the first half of 1946 the US became seen as the new imperialist superpower bent on world domination according to all the Communist Parties around the world. Because there was some truth to this people involved in anti-colonial struggles could not turn to the US support like they hoped during the Roosevelt years. In fact Truman saw the US responsibility wads to defend the British, French and Dutch Empires and the US would be the center of a world capitalist empire. Because of this National Liberation struggles around the world took on a Marxist voice. Marxism has always been part of the struggle against imperialism, particularly the Leninist variety, but this was strengthened by the Truman policies. To the Truman administration anti colonial movements only confirmed his position that these were part of a worldwide Soviet conspiracy. This became true because of Truman. Truman there was little advantage in establishing free trade with the Soviets. There should be no coalition governments in Asia or Latin America. The only road to development in the other nations of the world was one that encouraged foreign investments, particularly US corporate investments. In the colonies, developing nations, and the rebuilding of Europe US investments must play a central role. Wallace saw this as imperialism and proposed that free trade among equal and independent national economies as the only meaningful road to development. But, first rich nations should provide no strings attached aid and this would be a pay off to the rich nations by providing profitable markets when those economies became solvent. (3)
Averell Harriman and Henry Wallace strongly disagreed about relations with the Soviet Union. Harriman did not believe we could get along with the Soviets. We shared little in the way of mutual interests. Harriman thought that Soviets could recover with out our help and by getting tough we could force them into doing what we want. However he we should avoid war because the Red army would fight harder than American troops. (3)
Wallace also came up against the Catholic Church who wanted no compromise with Communists. The Catholic Church’s position was Marxism either communist or socialist was a secular philosophy therefore atheist and could not be tolerated or worked with. (3)
By 1946 at the Atlantic City CIO convention anti-communist planks were passed and communists supported then in order to stay in their unions. Communists were at this time still well respected as individuals, not as communists. Most were still seen as among the most dedicated. Communists activists within the unions were very good on delivering successfully bread and butter victories. But the days of having any influence on political issues outside of these same bread an butter issues were now gone. But, liberals and conservatives alike targeted Communists as agents of the Soviet Union. Union leaders could ill afford investigations of communist activities by anti-union Republicans in congress. (2)
The Republican and Southern Democratic dominated House Committee on UnAmerican Activities would very soon change its focus to the threat of support of Soviet policies i.e. a Communist or Communist supporter. Truman had already begun orchestrating the fear of Soviet aggression, the spread in international communism outside of the Soviet Union and within the US an internal threat to national security. These threats would be presented to the American people as being the same threat. The American people were soon infected with this fear. The Republican anti-communism was modified accordingly to keep up and surpass Truman. If all Americans were to stand united against this threat, then any further expansion on the New Deal reform would need to take a back seat to national security, according to Republicans. (1)
The second Red Scare after World War II would soon take on an extraordinary endeavor shared by both congress and the President. During the Depression the Communist Party USA operated more or less openly, or barely beneath the surface with some support of labor leaders, New Deal Democrats, Negro (African American) leaders and even a few progressive church groups. During the War the Soviet Union was an important ally taking a majority of the causalities in the War against Germany meant that moving from merely supporting Communists, “they aint all that bad”, to openly cheering Soviet efforts in the War seemed natural. Now to make the Soviet Union an evil threat to American and World Wide security would mean also making domestic communist as Soviet agents. This would require that the Truman administration use all the resources of his administration to convince the American people, that internationally there was a real communist conspiracy with the Soviet Union as its center. Though Truman was slow at first to after domestic communists this would feed into the Republican agenda and Truman also would need to be concerned with the internal threat to national security particularly after the 1946 election. By 1948 and the Wallace, Taylor Progressive Party annoyance Truman could red bate with the best of them. (1)
Amerasia case was purely a political case. The journal published classified State Department documents on Truman’s China policy. The editors never shared sensitive information with the Soviet Union. What the editors hoped for was that the publication of the documents would discredit Truman. They proved the US Government continued to support the Nationalist even though through corruption the aid went into private accounts and not to feeding the people or fighting the communist army. (2)
Because of the Amerasia and the Canadian spying case it appeared to many Americans that there were too many leaks within the federal government. Communists within labor movements supplemented a fear of communist espionage. The 1946 strike wave increased these fears among those opposed to unions. The fear of communism showed up in the segregationists attempt to maintain white supremacy. Demands for racial equality were seen as communist inspired. Because of this there was a rapid increase of violence against people of color who were fighting for civil rights. Thus, the Justice Department went all out to investigate labor unions as well as organizations and individuals struggling for civil rights for possible communist influence or infiltration. The fear of likely manipulation or access by communist haunted all progressive causes. Now the Justice Department changed its concerns from proven acts of sabotage to suspected disloyalty. In November 1946 Truman appointed the Temporary Commission on Employee Loyalty to investigate the nature of the problem the findings were to be reported to him by February 1, 1947. (2)
With the exposure of the atomic espionage ring in Canada in 1946 this did really kick off the fear of espionage. In fact a real spy ring was found sending atomic information back to the Soviet Union, and justifying the fear of subversion. But, just as Wallace predicted that by making atomic research secret, all research carefully controlled by the military, firing of researchers in atomic energy, maintain a monopoly on this research the arms race was well under way and the hope of global disarmament was eliminated. Now the Justice Department argued for stricter surveillance of subversives, wiretapping without notice. (2)
Early in the Cold War a division within the liberal ranks developed. From 1946 through 1948 there was a civil war among liberal democrats. In 1944 there was unity among liberal Democrats behind Roosevelt and Wallace. By 1946 this unity was breaking down. The Union for Democratic action and the CIO had anti-communist as an acknowledged position of imperatives to the future of America. This would effectively end the Popular Front. Liberal anti-communists were anti-communist first and liberal second. Now instead of cooperating within the popular front with New Deal Democrats, social democrats, socialists, communists and other progressives the UDA found itself increasingly as part of the reactionary forces that was taking over America. (2)
Other liberals in the popular front wanted to keep the New Deal and popular front alive. This would require continuing to work with anyone supporting the popular front agenda, including Communists. That red baiting only undermined the progressive cause seemed obvious. The National Citizens Political Action Committee and the Independent Citizens Committee of the Arts, Sciences and Professions were formed. (3)
On December 28 and 29 1946 the National Citizens Political Action Committee and the Independent Citizens Committee of the Arts, Sciences and Professions merged to form the Progressive Citizens of America. A week later the Union for Democratic Action became Americans for Democratic Action. (3)
The PCA like is predecessors would welcome anyone willing to work for progressive issues. The ADA rejected any association with Communists or with anyone who would willingly work with Communists. (3)
At this time the Catholic Church launched a major campaign not only against any association with communists or communist sympathizers, but secular society as a whole. The Association of Catholic Trade Unionists played a major role in destroying the left wing of the CIO. (3)
By December 1946 merging the National Citizens Political Action Committee (NA/PAC) and the Independent Citizens Committee of the Arts, Sciences and Professions (ICC/ASP) formed the Progressive Citizens of America (PCA). The goal of the PCA was to avoid red baiting and to continue the Popular Front and the New Deal of the Roosevelt years. A week later the Union for Democratic Action (UDA) formed the Americans for Democratic Action (ADA) to further the New Deal liberal agenda while establishing liberal anti-communism. Ultimately anti-communism would trump liberalism. This split brought about a civil war of words among liberals in the Democratic Party by January 1947. The PCA not only openly avoided red baiting but also were willing to work with Communists who were willing to work for Popular Front causes. As far as the ADA was concerned not only were they strongly anti-communist their liberal stands were so watered down by their own red baiting they fit nicely with transnational corporations, defense hawks, machine Democrats like Truman and even Republican bipartisan supporters of the Truman foreign policy (2)
In 1946 returning troops came home to join the strike wave in the ranks of labor. When strikes were won capital turned to the Democrats for help. Democrats under Truman the Party returned to its roots. Political bosses were back in power as Truman was closely tied to both the Kansas City and St. Louis political machines. Now the time was right to bring big capital into the Party with their financing adding to the roots of corruption and influence. Corporate executives and top military brass were in the Truman Cabinet, as were many US ambassadors and presidential advisors. Together they made policy. These very power men held closely to the anti-communist gospel. Capitalism, particularly US capitalism was to be the one true church at home and abroad. Progressives would only be required to prove that they were not communist, but they would now need to prove that they were actively anti-communist. All liberal reform would require evidence that they were at it core anti-communist. (3)
The Strike wave of 1946, Truman knowing better, began a campaign of red baiting alienating himself from labor. It was true many key figures in the CIO Lee Pressman the CIO council, Len De Caux was the publicity director were in fact leftists. Angered by the strike wave Truman in fact broke the railroad strike by threatening the use of federal troops. Truman publically stated that Unions have gone to far, and needed top be brought back into line. The Railroad workers rejected company demands and Truman seized control of the railroads. The government took over the railroads but the workers continued their strike. On May 6, 1946 Truman threatened to use the army as strikebreakers. Then on May 25, 1946 Truman went before congress to seek the authority to eliminate seniority and draft all railroad workers into the army, and any railroader failing to show up for work would be arrested as deserters. At that point the unions called off the strike. Congress sought immediately to pass the Case Bill HR 4908, entitled "An Act To Provide Additional Facilities For the Mediation of Labor Disputes, And For Other Purposes. This covered much of the same area as Truman proposed, but the strike was over and he did not want to pass otherwise a Republican bill so he vetoed it. He stated that the content of the bill was different from his proposal before congress on May 25, 1946. Truman made an emergency proposal to break strikes only in those industries taken over by the government. This new proposal would include all strikes. (3)
The FBI took a close look at New Deal Democrats, labor unions, civil rights advocates, liberal church groups. In other words those groups most likely associated with the popular front. These groups of course were most likely to come into contact with Communists who wanted to participate in the Popular Front. These were designed to raise public anxieties over subversion. (2)
By 1946 a new term was coined to harass all factions of the Popular Front. The only way to avoid this is to repent and embrace openly the anti-communist crusade. Communists, non-communists, and anti-anti-communists were all targeted. That term was pre-mature antifascist. The FBI would investigate all such individuals who did not publically ask forgiveness and accept honestly the anti-communist cause. By 1947 the recalcitrant would be called before the investigative committees. This would have the effect of calling their employable service in jeopardy, maybe blacklisted from employment and for the rest of their lives have their loyalty questioned. (1)
Because Truman administration conducted foreign policy using overly simplified and moralistic language about the Soviet threat, one could argue Truman opened the door for McCarthy. (1)
Following the 1946 elections Truman would intensify his anti-communist attacks on the Communist Party USA. After the Progressive Party challenge to his authority the federal government began a series of high profile arrests of Communists. (1)
Wallace openly criticized Truman and his attitude toward both the British and the Soviets. Elliot Roosevelt put it this way. Wallace pointed out that the British, French, Dutch and American Empires needed to be dismantled and Winston Churchill as a strong advocate of Imperialism was the major threat to world peace. Truman was close to advisors who were influenced by Churchill. Truman antagonized the Soviets by refusing to consider that they may have legitimate security fears. (3)
Wallace went on a speaking tour because of World War II was a war of total devastation. He was trying to change the course of post war events in which the old order of global imperialism was in open conflict with the desire of colonial subjects to be independent of global imperialism. The US being the only industrial power to come out of the war economically sound was now taking on the role of concierge and champion of the British, French, Dutch and American Empires. In fact a new imperial order was being formed in which economic imperialism would take the place of political colonialism. This and the hostility between the US and the USSR were leading to a world in which war would become the norm. War, poverty, destruction of entire communities would become the direct result of the salvation of this old imperial order. Things would not change unless ordinary people in the industrialized nations, especially the US, acted in solidarity with the people in the Soviet Union and the colonies around the world and in Latin America to force the governments of those nations to change. Truman was not only trying to preserve this old order, but he was trying to do what Wilson tried and failed to do. Truman like Wilson was dreaming of a new global world in which the US would be in charge. The new American Empire would include all the older empires, plus the remaining nations on the planet. Wilson failed to use the League of Nation to create that global American Empire. Now Truman cynically would use the United Nations for his own purposes or simply go around the UN. (3)
Wallace had a different vision of the UN. The New United Nations would be greater than any single nation including the United States. Because the US had abandoned its’ revolutionary tradition Washington had nothing to offer the colonial peoples struggling to be free. The US left the Soviets the role of offering hope to the colonial peoples for freedom. The Soviets became the enemy of imperialism and the US the defender of imperialism. (3)
The world became simplified between supporters of the U.S. and supporters of the U.S.S.R. Washington dismissed the idea of neutrality or the third way approach. The President presented to the American people as Soviet interference any threat to the status quo. Anti-colonialism often had a strong Marxist voice at this time. Thus, national liberation struggles were seen as a Soviet tool for expansion. Internationalism was presented as Anti-Americanism, or a Soviet process for aggression. All international peace would necessitate, for the sake of other countries domestic democracy that their homegrown policies be subordinate to U.S. supervision. In these sets of arrangements military superiority by the United States was central to the long-term American goals over international affairs. Any compromise with the Soviets was appeasement. Challenges to Truman’s foreign policy would be officially defined as potentially communist inspired, subversive or just naive. Fear of domestic communism could be judiciously orchestrated. Soviet agents were active within the heart of American society. (1)
The general worldview of the top presidential advisors and Cabinet officials under Truman had very little influence among the New Deal intellectuals close to Roosevelt when he was President. Not only anti-communists, but also Russia haters surrounded Truman. Under Truman there would be little sympathy for Détente or the give and take of diplomacy. Unlike Tehran or Yalta agreements, free elections in Europe supervised by the U.S. Britain and the Soviet Union would now mean in Western Europe direct U.S. oversight dismissing any Soviet influence. (1)
Though the Soviets would do the same thing, the U.S. and Britain would be quick to criticize the Soviets interference with free elections in Eastern Europe. This led to spheres of influence. The U.S. would actively interfere with national elections in Italy and to a lesser degree in France curtailing Communist power in those elections. This it was said was necessary to protect democracy. When the Soviets did the same thing in East Europe, this we were told was a threat to democracy. (1)
The domestic communist threat once manufactured could be used for an executive generated loyalty program. With a loyalty program any serious challenge to Truman’s policies could be managed. Radicalism, subversion, dissent were easily categorized and carefully brought under close federal supervision in order to eliminated any critical confrontation to Truman’s plan of action in international affairs. (1)
In 1945 and 1946 most Americans still thought it possible to work through the United Nations to negotiate with the Soviet Union. For American to equate negotiation with the Soviets with appeasement with the Nazis Truman would need to link concessions to the Soviet Union with giving into the Nazis demands that led the tragic deaths of millions. (1)
Truman would need to convince the American people of the need for U.S. military bases around the world. According to Truman military readiness not disarmament is the only way to ensure peace. If negotiations was appeasement only a seriously staffed and prepared armed forces located on bases throughout the world could protect U.S. interests and protect the peace. (1)
The House on UnAmerican Activities Committee (HUAC) had as a major goal not only to investigate possible Communist infiltration into government, but using this mandate to publically discredit the underlying philosophy of the New Deal. (1)
By 1946 a new term was coined to harass all factions of the Popular Front. The only way to avoid this is to repent and embrace openly the anti-communist crusade. Communists, non-communists, and anti-anti-communists were all targeted. That term was pre-mature antifascist. The FBI would investigate all such individuals who did not publically ask forgiveness and accept honestly the anti-communist cause. By 1947 the recalcitrant would be called before the investigative committees. This would have the effect of calling their employable service in jeopardy, maybe blacklisted from employment and for the rest of their lives have their loyalty questioned. (1)
After the 1946 elections many liberals blamed Truman for the strong Republican showing. It was held that Truman had backed off many New Deal commitments. Truman responded to his loss of Democratic support with an increase in anti-communist rhetoric. In the beginning Truman never really tried to mend fences with liberals in his party. In response Wallace increased his criticism of Truman. Now the debate among liberals was whether to take the nomination away from Truman in 1948, or to form a third party in 1948 in hopes of replacing the Democratic party in 1952. (3)
Wallace spoke out against the Un-American Committee equating it with Salem witch trials and the lynching of Black men. The Committee was as morally wrong as the interment of Japanese Americans during World War II. The fear of Communism proved a lack of faith in American democracy. (3)
The Republicans now relied on professional anti-communists. Elizabeth Bentley reported to the FBI about her knowledge of Communists in the Federal Government. This was a problem for the Democrats, like Republican Congressional wins in 1946. November 25, 1946 Executive Order 9806 Truman set up the Temporary Commission on Employee Loyalty, looking at all federal employees. Then March 21, 1947 E.O. 9835 would require all employees to take a loyalty oath. This together with the Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine was a package deal. Truman was tying betrayal, extremism, subversion, disloyalty, radicalism, insurrection and treason with participation in groups associated with the popular front. The Executive Branch, including the Justice Department was competing with Congress and the HUAC on who was in charge of national security and anti-communism. (2)
Truman at first considered CPUSA as too minor to worry about, but going after the weakened Communist Party USA already declining into insignificance was just good politics. By 1946 the Communist in the US were in a process of cannibalizing itself and if left alone it would kill its own self off.
Things got out of control from the beginning. Repression became an accepted part of life. Both liberals and conservatives each had to prove their anti-communism. Debates were limited even before they began. (1)
Bipartisan policy made a joke out of the “two party system”. What existed was only one party with two groups saying much the same thing but calling themselves by two different names. Wallace went on tour early 1947 drawing large crowds who came out to hear what he had to say. (2)
Individual unions trying not to draw attention to themselves, began creating programs to purge the Communists from their ranks. The CIO eighth constitutional convention November 1946 adopted a resolution rejecting Communist participation within the union movement. Why are more worried about the deficit than we are Derivatives and Hedge Funds which best case hurt the poor by investing in fantasies not real and lasting jobs services to working people, the poor and vulnerable groups. What we need is a greatly expanded public sector. (2)
November 1946, right after the elections, because it was a disaster for the Democrats Truman appointed a Temporary Commission on Employee Loyalty, Executive Order 9806. The public was left to wonder why both Democrats and Republicans were so concerned about national security. Real evidence was not the issue because national fear took on a life of its own. (3)
The public sector to operate efficiently and effectively needed a separation from partisan politics of government. Roosevelt envisioned public agencies operating autonomously to carry out the social reforms needed to provide the needed social services, protect wageworkers, small family operated farms and small entrepreneurial run businesses in which the owner does most of the work. The public sector along with reenergized rank and file labor unions are necessary for democracy beginning on the shop floor. The right form unions of one’s own choice, to bargain collectively, eliminating unemployment through expanded public works programs was but only the beginning. The Republicans, Southern Democrats, and established Urban Democrats would challenge this vision in 1938 by insisting on the beginning of privatizing much of the new public sector. After Roosevelt died this rather lose coalition of conventional organizational power brokers openly attacked the Popular front of New Deal Democrats, progressives and leftists. Truman was no New Deal Democrat and began openly seeking advise from Democratic urban bosses, top corporate executives and top military officers. All his top advisers had strong anti-socialist, anti-progressive and anti-New Deal biases. Because any Democrat on friendly terms with the Roosevelt Popular front New Dealers saw their communications with the new President limited. Because of this Truman rapidly lost the support of the CIO unions, New Deal Democrats and even other liberals in his party. He was rather anti-labor during his first year in office. The discouragement led to humiliating losses for the Democrats in the 1946 mid-term elections. The Democrats lost control of congress. The Democrats looked forward to the 1948 elections with much trepidation. Names like Henry Wallace, Dwight Eisenhower and William O Douglas would be looked at as a replacement for Truman over the next few years. (3)
The Independent Citizen’s Committee for the Arts, Sciences, and Professions (ICCASP), lobbied for the passage of the Fair Employment Practices Commission (FEPC). Also at this time Norman Corwin started up a movement to bring to an end the House Committee on Un-American Activities. National Citizens Political Action Committee (NC-PAC) would work closely with the ICCASP on these and many other issues. The decision to join the two was brought up November 13, 1946. The new organization became the Progressive Citizens of America (PCA). Hannah Dorner and Bennie Baldwin shared the V.P. role. Both Henry A. Wallace, and Fiorello La Guardia were early supporters. (4)
Wallace spoke at the founding of the PCA. Wallace was not a Sovietphile nor was he a red baiter. He spoke in favor of freedom of speech and assembly. He also spoke out for full employment with good paying jobs. He supported freedom of the press even though most corporate owned newspapers lied and radio wasn’t much better. Only more freedom can counter anti-labor and pro militaristic propaganda masquerading as news. Education must become separated from nationalism, empire and pro-corporate elite. There was a danger of international conflicts and a return to the days before the New Deal. Freedom is freedom for the people who work and who struggle just to get by, not freedom only for big business and the press who do their bidding. The excesses of corporate greed and the business cycles of crisis followed by another crisis while the rich accumulate even more wealth must be turned around to where ordinary citizens can expect a secure and decent income at meaningful and important jobs. In addition domestic welfare is dependent on international security. The United Nations must be recognized as a World Federation whose authority is recognized by member nations. The United States must not try to dominate the UN for the interests of large US based corporations. The US must become an equal among equals. Equality, freedom and the pursuit of happiness must be our goal and our gift to the world. Imperialism stands in global opposition to these three goals as well as peace, prosperity and security. (4)
1947
Teheran Conference would go along ways to make the Soviet Union acceptable back in the States. By delaying the second front for so long the West got into the War mostly to keep it from being a total Soviet victory. The second front became a supplement to Soviet courage. Many American lives were saved and debt to the Soviet Union would remain unpaid. Wallace understood this, and Truman did not. The Cold War could have easily been avoided. While both the Soviet Union and the US over reacted and thus share in the responsibility for the Cold War, the majority of the blame rests with Washington. Regional Communism outside of Eastern Europe was not to be understood by the US government. The US became the defender of Empire and the opponent of democracy. Soviet influence outside of Eastern Europe, to the degree it existed at all, was a US creation. (2)
With anti-communism being increasingly front-page news, the Republicans played the anti-communist card and made major gains nationally. The Democrats, who led the pack with anti-Soviet rhetoric and condemning domestic communist as foreign agents, now were forced to up the anti-communist ante. This played out as abandoning liberal or progressive causes. The liberal anti-communists as well as anti-communists social democrats spent wasted time distancing themselves from their pervious ties with the popular front. This took valuable time away from the progressive movement. (2)
With the beginning of 1947 the new Republican Congress began several serious investigations of Communists in government, therefore contributing to the rising public fears. February 1945 over 1,000 classified government documents were discovered in the offices of Amerasia. Because the findings were openly published and not secretly given to any foreign power little was done. By 1947 this no longer mattered they were targeted as foreign agents and closed down (2)
A 1947 report by D. Milton Ladd Assistant Director of Federal Bureau of Investigation claimed there were a number of disloyal people in the government. But, he provided no evidence or even what was meant by disloyal. Hoover followed up with a written statement that disloyal people were anyone who is a threat because of espionage, influencing policies, or spreading their ideology. He further noted if the FBI provided their evidence it would put their informants in jeopardy and put national security at risk. Concrete evidence was lacking, but the Commission went ahead with its investigations. The findings were publish and made a part of the public record in spite of the lack of evidence. He FBI wanted and gained control over providing all evidence for the investigations, including keeping their sources and the details of their findings confidential. All they provided was the summaries of their findings. Both Congress and the Executive Branch accepted this. Hoover said national security should always take precedence over civil liberties. These summaries were taken as reasonable grounds for ant employee’s dismissal for her job. (2)
Policies set in place by the Second Red Scare would successfully eliminate a serious left leaning alternative in American political culture as a result of the Truman years. Even the rebellion of the 1960’s never fully reached the higher standards of the popular front. Only the center left debates had serious coverage until the late 1960’s. Even then they were marginal when compared to the popular front, By Truman’s second administration the Center became the new left. Even this false left would move further to the right in 1950’s and again in the 1980’s. The entire history of the US in the second half of the 20th century is one of a totalitarian society in which a new popular democracy without serious debate emerged. Freedom became a feeling that thrived without depth or substance. Red baiting closed off alternative being taken seriously. The older left was vilified and trivialized in most Americans way of thinking. Threat of exposure required former popular front advocates apologize and repent. (2)
April 10, 1947 Chicago Stadium Wallace talked to about the up coming Italian elections in which the Communist and Socialist were the two largest Parties. The US government would be making every effort to defeat socialism in Italy. Wallace said what the American people were not being told was how hard the capitalist monopolies and feudal agricultural privileged land owners was making many life unnecessarily hard for most Italians. The US government was propping up a failed economic system because it allowed US corporations to gain a foothold into the Italian Economy at the expense of poor farmers and workers. US oil companies controlled export crops, grain elevators, automotive, and airlines. The US spends a great deal of money to carry direct intervention in Italian elections. The CIA, US labor Unions and US State Department worked closely with Italians capitalist and landlords to destroy independent labor unions in Italy. The US Government threatened to withhold Marshall Plan aid if the Communist/ Socialists won the elections. Italian American through the Catholic Church to write relatives in Italy asking them to help defeat the Communist/ Socialist parties in the next elections. Anti-communism and anti-socialism was more important to US policies toward Italy than worries about grinding poverty, return of fascism or failure of democracy. The fact that democracy was established in Italy was because enough Italians did buy into US propaganda. Not only Italy but also France, Greece and Latin America democracy was under attack through US policies in the name of democracy. The US became the savior became the savior of corrupt and brutal empires by opposing any and all democratic and anti-colonial struggles around the world. (3)
The investigations of subversive activities using confidential sources offered no check up on the validity of those sources. Because of the lack of hard evidence of an on going Communist conspiracy, within the government was never proven. Things like the Attorney General’s list of subversive organizations would help build an atmosphere of fear. The FBI cooperated in generating this list, offering no evidence that could be independently verified. There was no objective checklist to define what is subversive and to what degree. This list was put together secretly, published publically and widely distributed. Just being part of any organization on the list was proof of subversion, no matter how unimportant the role. Within three years the list was expanded from ninety too two hundred. States, counties, cities and private businesses began using this list to screen potential employees. By now liberal anti-communists began using this list to hunt down communists. (2)
The CIO in 1945, 1946, and 1947 did not like Truman and wanted to dump him. They were divided on whether to support Wallace in taking the lead, to take over the Democratic Party or should we be thinking of starting a third party. Most thought a third party would not be a good idea until 1952 or even 1956, but could we afford to wait a moment longer? Most progressives within the labor movement thought it wasn’t to late for peaceful negociations on the hot spots around the world. There was growing democratic movements in Europe and in the Americas. There was a growing anti-colonial movements in Asia and Africa which most political active trade unionists supported and clearly Truman did not, because his increasingly close ties to British conservatives and their love of empire. If we were to stop the slip into a world of two mutually hostile armed camps, with the forces of democracy and anti-colonialism being forced by Truman to turn to the Soviets to survive despite the Soviet’s abysmal domestic human rights record action was now not in 1952. (3)
April 13, 1947 Irving Potash of the Fur and Leather Workers Union and a Communist spoke out against the Taft-Hartley Act. June 20 Truman vetoed the act opening the door for better relations with labor. At least the lesser evil argument was beginning to make sense. The drive to stop the Republicans began to pick up momentum among progressives, particularly after the congress over road the veto. Even the obnoxious section 9-h, which required all union leaders to sign non-communist oaths and supported by the Justice department cause little notice because most unions were already carrying anti-communist purges ridding the unions of their best and most loyal union activists. (3)
The Congress after 1947 worked actively to cut funding to federal programs and to dismantle much of the surviving New Deal programs. At they same time congress carried out investigations of New Deal personnel and supporters of possible connections with leftists. (1)
By early 1947 the government set the tone for individual Americans reporting on friends, neighbors, associates, fellow citizens or family members suspected of being subversive. Henry Wallace in a public statement March 31, 1947 declared Truman was set on turning American against American in order to eliminate possible opposition to his foreign policy. A master index of all public employees was set up. Their, past associations became a matter of a record kept by the government. Jo Davidson and Frank Kingdom of the progressive citizens of America argued the executive order was in conflict with the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. The accused had a right to know the charges leveled against them and should have the ability to cross-examine the accusers in an open court. The ADA approved of excluding public employees who may have ties with the Communist Party USA any such rights as a matter of national security. However, there were a few ADA members acting as individuals outside of the ADA defended the civil liberties of the accused. PCA officials were opposed to Truman’s executive order with out exception and attacked Truman’s speech and mostly the ADA approved of both. (2)
Educational institutions no longer openly questioned or discussed alternative views. To question alternative views was unacceptable. To question US foreign policy, capitalism or the Cold War was insane or courageous. To have an opinion different from the orthodox position on American history would get that professor fired and not ever to get another job in Academia. (2)
Individual CIO unions began active programs of getting rid of the Communist leaders within their unions. At the CIO eighth Constitutional Convention, under Murray’s insistence, adopted a resolution rejecting Communist participation within any of the CIO unions. (3)
James Farley, Democratic National Chair, publically stated the Democratic Party can not tolerate anyone or any organization which is opposed to any part of the US foreign policy in relation to getting tough with the Soviets or that works with or allows domestic communists to participate. This was a direct attack on Popular Front Democrats. Wallace took up the challenge and warned against red baiting and encouraged an on going U.S. dialog to work out differences. (3)
May 21 1947 Wallace asked the U.S. government to open negotiations with the Soviets through the United Nations. On June 6, 1947 Wallace called for a return the Roosevelt policy of negociations from fairness and discuss options and this is not appeasement when look for mutually beneficial alternatives. Roosevelt policies were a sign of national integrity and strength. In turn the U.S. would have to change its foreign policies to support rather than oppose the democratic anti-colonial movements around world, and stop the sponsorship of decaying British, French, Dutch and American empires. (3)
The response to the Wallace speech at the Water Gate Amphitheater the PCA seemed to the home for progressive liberals, while ADA remained an arrogant and isolationistic nationalists elite. The Administration targeted anyone on the left. Because the ADA would support the Truman policies no way were they anything close to being liberal. PCA were courageous by standing on humanistic principles. The Federal government kept careful and detailed notes on PCA and all progressive dissent in order to carry out its policies of revenge that was used with vengeance against immigrants, naturalized citizens, minorities, union militants and any vulnerable groups. (3)
April 13, 1947 on BBC Wallace acknowledged the US was using its wealth and power to spread its military power in support of corporate investments rather than ending poverty. If the US help poor nations to develop on their own without the need for outside investment, if the US helped end poverty globally then the US would have expanded markets for US products. Because the world anti-colonialism was on the rise, the US missed its opportunity to lead this movement through assistance to freedom loving peoples. Instead the US became the reactionary super power and the defender of a continuation of imperialism and tyranny. The use of economic, military, and cultural domination of the United States on other countries and the expansion of global dictatorship by using the policy and practice of acquiring political control over other countries was to dominate American foreign policy for the next two generations. (2)
The Truman Doctrine caused a lot of trouble for ADA. By March 1947 ADA faced a crisis by the US supporting the Greek royalists, which had support of the Greek fascists, would set up an undemocratic regime in Greece. There was a democratic government born out of the NAZI resistance, but the Communists played a major role in a coalition government. Ultimately anti-communism trump democracy and ADA supported the Truman Doctrine. Turkey was no less problematic, the government in Turkey lent support to the Nazis during the war. (3)
Beginning of the end was the Marshall Plan. This would be very popular among liberals outside of the progressive movement. Progressives and Communists of course disagreed. The ADA openly supported the Marshall Plan as the best of America and a decent project of humanitarian appeal. The PCA held that the Marshall Plan was the economic version of the Truman Doctrine. Even though the final version of the plan would be offered to the soviets, Truman knew the terms of the Plan would exclude the Soviets. The Plan was tied to the US dollar. The US would give recipients US dollars to buy US goods shipped in US vessels. The Plan would open oversees markets to US investments, tying local economies to the US economy. Perhaps the worst part of the Plan the Plan was administered directly by the United States. It did not go through the UN. Three years later when the Korean War broke out it became a UN action. Proving when the UN furthered the US imperial interests the US work through the UN, when the UN would not strengthen US control over the world the US went around the UN making a mockery of the UN. (3)
By concentrating on a moralistic pre-occupation of a serious lack of human rights or the lack of democratic choice in Soviet occupied Eastern Europe, Americans did not have to deal with U.S. support of Latin American dictators friendly to the U.S. or the undemocratic French and British colonies. Policy was any government unfriendly with the Soviets was an ally no matter how undemocratic. Anticommunism was more important than any commitment to democracy. Legal Communist Parties in Western Europe were targeted. Spain was now a good guy. Portugal was an ally. Both were either fascists or rightwing totalitarian dictatorships in which the entire left was removed by force and ethnic minorities were harassed. The liberal wing in the US Democratic party soon followed suit and joined Truman in this policy. (1)
Though the U.S. had a monopoly on the Atomic Bomb in the days right after World War II, Truman argued retaining a large conventional military force was necessary to contain the Soviet Union. This would require a peacetime draft. Beyond this he advocated universal military training for all young men, between 18 and 20. (1)
Truman Doctrine was presented to the American people, as an early version of the domino theory if Greece or Turkey would fall the whole Middle East would soon be lost. This would change the balance of power worldwide. Even Truman was forced to admit that Greece was no Democracy. What was well known, but not discussed that the Democratic front was a coalition of Communists, Socialists and other Social Democratic elements in a Democratically elected government. The United States was supporting the Monarchists who were the Greek Fascists and NAZI supporters, propped up by the Eastern Orthodox Church. Because the Communist was apart of the coalition government it could not be democratic and was under the tight control of Moscow. In point of fact Truman knew that Stalin was willing to let the Americans have this one. Before the Monarchist could take over, the Democratic front would have to leave. The Communist could not be allowed to participate in parliamentary elections. Thus a Government more to the liking of Truman and Churchill needed to replace the Greek Republic at the end of the War. Truman assured the American People would have an opportunity to establish a democracy when the Communist were gone, This did not happen until the 1970’s. (1)
The guerrillas supporting the Democratic Front in Greece threaten the Monarchist who Truman installed into power The Democratic Front was according to Truman all Communists made of a dissent minority without any indigenous support in spite of the evidence to the contrary. (1)
The resistance fighters against the NAZI occupation were the origins of the Democratic Front. The Communists were in fact an important part of the resistance and earned the respect of most of the Greek people because of this. The British with close ties to the Greek Monarchy could not allow the Front to become the New Greek Government even though they represented a majority. The British were exhausted and could not force their will on the Greek people and ask Truman for help. (1)
Because any participation by Communist in government was unacceptable and because the Greek Government was already in power the situation was different than Italy in which a strong American presence could keep the Communists from coming to power. In Greece the Communists entered democratically and they were there to stay and would need to be forced out by force. He left unsaid if the Soviets were in control of the Greek Government. By not accusing the Soviets he left the American people to make that connection on their own. (1)
Truman claimed the revolutionaries were taking advantage of the economic collapse. Along with military assistance the Monarchist would need economic backing if the left were to be defeated.
Because Truman understood the Monarchy was undemocratic, it would be a hard sell to get Americans behind support for military aid. Truman would claim that the U.S. could support the Monarchist and could be faithful to the United Nations Mandate of protecting democracy internationally. Because Truman maintained democracy was possible only if there was no communist participation and very limited socialist influence with no real power. Truman claimed everywhere in the world that the left by definition was subservient to a foreign power i.e. the Soviet Union. Even though the Soviets offered no real assistance and Stalin agreed to stay out; Truman claimed the Greek left was acting in the name of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and could not survive without Soviet aid. In fact only the Yugoslavs and Tito offered any assistance and that was very limited. Truman was well aware of all of this, but he needed broad popular support within America. (1)
Truman convinced congress to give Greece broad economic aid following strong military assistance to put the Monarchist in power and to provide the Monarchists internal security. Military aid Truman claimed must come first, but this only works if direct economic backing followed it. Truman further claimed it was foreign interference i.e. Soviet manipulation and not underdevelopment was the origin of Greek poverty. Because Greek Communists were in prison to an alien way of life supported by Communist dogma. Thus, even if the Soviets were not involved they were in charge. With the Truman logic no matter were you started you ended up with Soviet Domination. (1)
National Citizens Political Action Committee together with the Independent Citizens Committee for Arts, Sciences and Professions sponsored the conference. The National Farmers Union, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Congress of Industrial Organizations all send observers. (2)
Phillip Murray declared his refusal to cooperate with any organization that cooperated with Communists. Murray up till then worked with and established friends with Communists who worked for the CIO. His change in attitude resulted from being a devout Catholic and he wanted to save the CIO during the second red scare by sacrificing his Communist friends. (2)
Connections to the left made the whole program suspect of being corrupted with alien ideas. This was very much like the Red Scare after World War I. What was different now was after World War II now the aliens had an address, the Kremlin in Moscow. Now this subversion was also treason. The New Deal Popular Front was a Soviet ploy. Godless Communism was corrupting the moral and spiritual foundation of America. Atheism and Communism were being used in the same sentence for the same people. Professional anticommunists like Whittaker Chambers fingered Alger Hiss as being a Communist. This threw the door wide open for fears and accusations of Communist infiltration into the top levels of government. (1)
Tom Clark Truman’s Attorney General view was it did not matter how few in number Communist Party members there were even one subversive is a serious security threat to the US government no matter what their job in federal employment. Executive Order 9835 April 1947: Truman Loyalty Oath
1. All federal employees must sign a loyalty oath.
2. - Employee could be fired if "reasonable grounds" to suspect loyalty
The presence within federal employment of a disloyal worker was a concern for all Americans and a threat to democracy. This means the federal government should and must do everything and anything necessary to keep such people out. Not a single disloyal person can be tolerated. They forfeited any claim to constitutionally protected civil liberties. Even if a person’s job is not even indirectly involved in national security that person cannot be allowed to keep their employment. Even temporary workers must prove their loyalty. (3)
Presidential Executive Order 9335 March 22, 1947. All federal employees not only must sign a loyalty oath, but federal agencies were to carry out loyalty investigations. The Justice Department was given the task to define the nature of the threat to National Security. Thus, Tom Clark was given authorization to make a list of all subversive organizations. (3)
Tom Clark drew up a list of subversive organizations. Treasonable activities were never clearly defined. Because it was a matter of national security due process, time limits on charges, nature of the findings, the people making the accusations, the nature of the organization, or why it was considered treason was not an issue worth pursuing. Any person belonging or affiliated with a listed organization was considered a threat. To be exonerated an individual had to prove remorse and cooperation with investigators. Naming name of associates in subversion was required. (3)
The executive order establishing the loyalty programs created the opportunity to put national security above individual rights. The problem was both Truman and the Republican opposition defined without any real objective criteria what was national security and what were our civil liberties. If the administration was to tell the American people what was in their own interest and who was subversive, the Republicans would need to come up with something better. They did this by accusing the Democratic Administration of being riddled with subversive elements. Bipartisan support fell apart with every election. No matter how anti-communist that the Democrats became the republicans could easily up the ante. They had no policies to implement and the Popular Front Democrats were the skeleton in the closet. It is always easier to criticize than to deal with reality. (3)
Dismissal no longer required definite proof. Now it would be reasonable grounds for the possible involvement in disloyal activities. No longer was it essential that the federal employees to be employed in area privy to sensitive secrets or top military positions. All federal employees no matter what the position were now seen as potential traitors even the janitor in a remote visitor center for the Parks Service. Past association was all it took to prove disloyalty. If one came to the attention of investigators it could be because lists of names given by informants, association through sealed records to certain organizations on the Attorney General’s lists or activities was all it took to tie the innocent to the guilty. They were all guilty by association. Dismissals soon followed. Evidence was not necessary, the innocent were required to prove their innocence or prove repentance, remorse, and penitence by cooperating by naming the names of the guilty. Your identity would remain a secret. By April 1951Executive Order 10241 Replaced in Executive Order 9835 changing the wording reasonable grounds with reasonable doubt. (3)
The Truman loyalty oaths by federal employees led most Americans to believe there was a problem. Instead of relieving their fears, it only increased them. Disloyal Americans was the issue. There were no longer Radicals or liberal reformers whose efforts were damaging the sacred American institutions, now these same people were redefined as wicked secret agents of a malevolent foreign power. Truman by establishing the loyalty oath, whether anyone ever found conspirators or not, led to the question how did these traitors find their way into top levels of government. Truman knew that there was never any evidence that the government was at any risk to national security but he felt he had to put on a good show. American Communists were to weak to offer any resistence, let along become a security breech. But with the Republican on the offensive with anti-communism both side were in a game of One-upmanship that neither side could control. Truman was his own enemy in this. (1)
The FBI’s investigation was always less than satisfactory in proving serious overt acts of sedition. The FBI never really tried, they were satisfied with calling one’s loyalty into question and the accused would required to repent through cooperation proof never was an issue. Guilt or innocence would create to many constitutional issues, appeal because of the lack civil liberties protections in these investigations. One was assumed guilty with no chance to offer a defense expect to cooperate. Even in case of real spying for example the case of Judith Copland who did spread classified information on to her Soviet lover. Under reexamination the information was no serious threat to national security. Hiss was convicted of perjury and not spying. Even with declassified Soviet documents there is conflicting evidence. Both case happened during the war when the Soviet Union was an ally no one was ever picked up for sharing information with the British or the Canadians. In Hiss case even if guilty he was little more than an advisor at Yalta and would have no information that the Soviets didn’t have already. But, even so the public wanted blood from those who brought America to her knees. These sensational cases were not sensational enough. Something far worse was lurking just below the surface. The Communist Party weak and dying was big and real only in the imaginations of the Communist themselves and the general public. (1)
The executive order that established the loyalty oaths created an opportunity to put national security above individual rights. The problem was neither Truman nor the Republican opposition never really defined in any objective criteria to identify what was national security or establish an operational description for social liberties or civil rights. Because the Administration told the public there was a threat domestically, it was in the public’s interest to deal directly with that threat. If the Republicans could demonstrate that the Truman Administration was riddled with subversive individuals the bipartisan support for Truman policies came apart. Republicans in the second Truman Administration could run against a lame duck president whose anti-communist policies was a failure. No matter how anti-communist the Democrats might be the Republicans could up the ante. However, the Popular Front was the skeleton in the closet. (1)
Dismissal from jobs in the federal government which once required definite proof of subversive activities, now simply have need of only showing possible involvement in disloyal pursuits. Also no longer was it necessary to be employed in a position dealing with sensitive secrets, or top military positions, now federal employees no matter their entailed were seen as potential traitors even a janitor in a minor office building in the forest service somewhere. But, association was all it took to prove disloyalty. Lists of names, organizations, or activities now tied the innocent to the guilty. They were all guilty by association. Dismissal always followed unless the accused admitted guilt repented and cooperated by naming names to a committee investigating communist subversion. Things got worse
after April 1951 when E.O. 9835(1947) was replaced by E.O. 10241 now only reasonable doubt was enough. Any hope of proving one’s innocence was gone. To clarify, Executive Order 9835 April 1947: Truman Loyalty Oath. All federal employees must sign a loyalty oath. – Any employee could be fired if "reasonable grounds" to suspect loyalty.
The Progressives welcomed Wallace’s position and tried to encourage Henry Wallace to take on the leadership role of the movement. As the Cold War heated up many liberals soon felt even if they disagreed my country came first. The ADA would soon claim the main support was coming from the Communists, which was clearly not true. There was some debate among the Communist Party members on how much support to give to Wallace. Wallace was his own man and never took orders from the Communist Party. The Communist never defined policy of the Progressive movement. In fact Wallace was a spiritual Christian and saw himself as a Jeffersonian capitalist. In fact Wallace was a capitalist he owned a profitable business called Hybrid Seeds. The other leading New Dealers were either left Keynesians or moderate social democrats not Communists. The CPUSA had issues with most of the Progressive Party positions. But because of the peace with the Soviet Union plank, strong anti-imperialism and support of progressive domestic causes and strong pro-union position Wallace was the littlest of all possible evils. But as Truman moved to the left and the ADA and the CIO abandon any possible support for Progressive Party many liberals who originally supported Wallace abandon the party in droves. The Communists dug in their heals and worked all the harder for Wallace. But, even then the Communists never controlled the Progressive cause. Even when the Communists were in the majority of the remaining Progressive party they chose to work within the Progressive Party. Not only was Wallace stubborn he was seen by the few remaining New Deal Democrats and the Communists now in the majority as the heir to Roosevelt. Wallace was the only hope to bring back the Popular Front and to end the Cold War. (3)
A.D.A. and the CIO held the PCA in their opposition to the Marshall Plan were not true liberals. Because the terms of the Plan the Soviets would decline to participate the A.D.A. and the CIO held only reason that he PCA would not support the plan was because the PCA was in league with the Communists. Either the A.D.A. or the CIO never discussed the specifics of the plan in full. Nor was gong around the UN ever explained. A.D.A. CIO spelled out provided Jobs for American at home and did would rebuild Europe. That fact that the Plan tied the European economies to US economy was not seen as a bad thing. In part because of Truman the fledgling UN was murdered before it had a chance. Later on looking back the Marshall Plan did do a lot of good in spite of its faults, like it had as much to do with Cold War anti-communism, empire and greed and with compassion and generosity. Many good union activist were fired from their unions because of their stand and the unions lost their dynamic core. Many compassionate Americans lost their jobs were hounded by subversive activities committees and were black listed. (3)
When an empire acts with compassion toward its dependents it does so with an air of superiority. Like noble obligation (noblesse oblige) there is compassion cloaked in arrogance, as the betters help the less fortunate in away that the betters get full credit, and the less fortunate acknowledge their inferiority. But, added to the noblesse oblige is an element of opportunism in which the benefactor benefits financially from their help. The Marshall Plan was a case in point. (3)
Truman delivered a speech that outlined what would become known as the Truman Doctrine March 12, 1947. Britain appealed for help from the US because Britain could no longer offer assistance to the Monarchist war against the Greek Democratic Front. Truman misled the American people about Greece. The majority he called the minority and the minority he called the majority. This war in Greece would become a model for future US policies. Communists were not to be tolerated even in a coalition government. (2)
March 12, 1947 Truman proposed a 400 million dollar loan to Greece and Turkey as a beginning a fight against local communists. This action was taken outside the United Nations and because of this the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration simply cease to exist. Because the U.S. could find no popular substitutes for local democratic movements born out of the war, collaborators sympathetic to fascism or the Nazis would lead both countries. (2)
With the Truman Doctrine the American people were being prepared psychologically to support a U.S. military presence throughout the world. Americans came to expect a reduction in domestic civil liberties. American also would support military spending even if it meant less going to education or health care. (2)
In the US being anti-communist provided the required information that would support Truman’s foreign policies, because any alternative data or interpretation would be seen as indoctrination, propaganda, articles of faith or ideology of Reds. The President’s or the State Departments statements were offered as facts. They critics of current U.S. foreign policies were presented either as treason or absurd. (2)
The New York Gazette was the only daily paper that was critical of U.S. policies. But, the paper moved to irrelevancy because subscriptions fell off. (2)
March 23, 1947 Harry Truman’s Executive Order 9358 set the tempo on the national anti-communism. Even though Truman was aware there was no substantial security risk. Those being accused were never given a chance to cross-examine the accuser. If they ever belong to an organization that was deemed to be a security risk, their loyalty was called into question. The Attorney General put together such a list. Membership in such organizations twenty years before, even though at the time membership in such organizations was then seen as no cause for concern could in 1947 get you into a lot of trouble. Truman gave the Red Scare the government’s seal of approval in that way he was following in Wilson’s footsteps and his red scare. (2)
March 1947 the Justice Department secured indictments of 17 members of the Joint Anti-Fascist Committee for contempt of Congress for their refusal to produce their records. (2)
By June Attorney General Tom Clark proposed legislation making it a crime to give any information to anyone not entitled to it. This included not only government employees, but also anyone with government information classified or not. Even if the information was already public knowledge. Tom Clark also asked for legal use of wiretappings without warrants in order to catch people who might be guilty of these actions. (2)
Once passed Taft-Hartley 9(h) was quickly implemented. National Labor Relations Board in cooperation with business, was already aligned with anti-communists in the unions now could move to rid unions of its left wing. However, many individual unionists, locals, and labor officials refused to cooperate on principle, including some non-communists. The issue was interference with union democracy by far-away entities with hostile agendas. But, 9(h) was used to win favors with the federal government or to solidify political power within the union. CIO president Philip Murray fired national publicity director Len DeCaux in order to insure recognition from the National Labor Relations Board. Walter Reuther used 9(h) to gain control of the Executive Board of the United Auto Workers. At the same time the Justice Department began proceedings to deport radicals within the labor movement. (3)
Taft-Hartley Labor-Management Relations (9h) 1947 requiring union officers to file affidavits promising they were not communists. Those failing to do so would mean the entire union would lose protection of the National Labor relations act. The National Labor Relations Board will not certify any union if any officer was or ever has been a member of the Communist Party or any organization associated with the Communists. While Truman did veto the Taft-Hartley Act, no one in the administration spoke against or wrote any opposing statements against 9(h). Both Tom Clark and Clark Clifford said as much. Truman vetoed the act as a whole in order to begin mending fences with liberals in his party. But 9(h) did a great deal of harm to the labor movement by getting rid of some of the most energetic union activists. Truman would agree with the spirit of 9(h), he also said it failed to address the main problem of Communists in the unions. He never clarified what he was talking about. (2)
While this was going on individual party members kept a low profile in the hopes of as much as possible of avoiding both the liberal anti-communists and the dogmatism of William Z. Foster at party headquarters. They were trying to keep the popular front alive. This would not last long as the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan would draw the left unionists into the thick of the fire. Truman siding with the Monarchist in Greece would be unacceptable to anyone who valued democracy. Both the progressives who would form the third party and rank and file communists felt that they could not set idly by and let the US betray the principles of democracy. Marshall Plan of course was set upon the humanitarian goal of rebuilding Europe. But, by not going through the UN both the progressives and the Communists would independently decide it was set up was designed to construct a travesty of the UN. By tying assistance to US dollars, rather than a European currency meant the plan had as much to do with US imperialism as it did with the sympathetic concern about Europe. Failure to support the Marshall Plan, any nonsupport would be used to target any individual as a menace and a collaborator. In return with Truman moving to the left the CIO officials would lend its support to Truman’s foreign policy and move to stifle dissent among its ranks. This together with the FBI investigating any opposition to be shared with union officials and employers, it was easy to target disagreement as pro-communism. Progressives were targeted as either being communist or sympathetic to the communists. Both Progressives and Communists were now seen as agents of a foreign power. By 1948 the Republicans were no longer a threat to Truman’s foreign policy. They either offered bipartisan support or would be seen as isolationists both out of date and portraying a weak image before an evil Soviet Union. (3)
The Progressive Party blamed the CIO, AFL, ADA and Truman for the Republican Victory in 1946, Taft-Hartley 1947, Cold War, and the suppression of civil liberties. They called the CIO support of Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan treason. The Progressive Party opposed the Truman Doctrine because the US government was supporting Greek fascists and monarchists and work to wipe out the Greek Democratic Government. The Progressives were opposed to the Marshall Plan because it went around the UN, making the UN a toothless lion, terms of the recovery would tie the aid to the US dollar and accepting conditions of the plan would end up by making Europe a US an economic dependent. The Progressive Party tried to become the voice of labor. But, the acid test was support of the two Truman policies the Progressives rejected. The International Officers of the CIO disciplined any unions, locals or individuals supporting the Progressive Party. The claim was the Communists, who were under the direct management of the Soviet Communist Party and Government, controlled the Progressive party. Which was clearly false. (3)
Len De Caux CIO publication editor and Less Pressman CIO legal council both were close to the top leadership of the CIO, but were forced to resign. Pressman moved into the Progressive Party playing an important role as a main inspiration in recruiting other progressives. By late October 1947 the CIO supported Truman. Also because of the anti-communist planks and the Communist growing support for the Progressive Party any Progressive supporters would be disciplined. When in December Wallace announced that he would run as the Progressive Party candidate any union member supporting the ticket would be disciplined. Eleven Unions supporting Wallace were isolated. The Communist Party reacted by preparing for the worst; many members lost contact with the Party and dropped out. (3)
China, Italy, France, Greece, Indochina, Indonesia and many other countries were also under the responsive enticement of native communist movements, falling under the influence of Soviet ideology, according to Truman. Even if the Soviets offered neither military nor humanitarian aid to local communists Truman insisted that because such thoughts were being discussed only because of Soviet subversion. Only through direct U.S. military assistance could these countries protect themselves from a tiny subversive minority. That fact they might not be such a minuscule dissident marginal faction never was discussed. (1)
After March 1947 Truman, Marshall, Acheson agreed for the U.S. to take over Britain as he major power in the Eastern Mediterranean. The U.S. would take on the role of challenging Communists in Greece as being part of the U.S. sphere of influence and Turkey who shares a border with the Soviet Union. (2 and 3)
Republicans in 1947 were sill dominated by budget cutters and isolationists. An issue was many though not all Republicans were anti-British and had no desire to protect the British Empire. February 27, 1947 Truman introduced the domino theory. If Greece or Turkey went communist then the rest of the Middle East could soon fall, followed by Italy, France and the rest of Western Europe would be threatened until the U.S. would be left as an island of freedom in a communist sea. (2)
By playing out the anti-communist card in foreign affairs Truman put the Republicans on the defensive. Republicans defined themselves, as being even more anti-communist than the Democrats. (2)
One of the major reasons for supporting the Marshall Plan for the Liberal Anti-Communists was the belief that because of the extreme economic crisis was making workers in France and Italy vulnerable to communist ideology. In order to deal with these issues Truman argued that he would need to go around the UN. At issue was that the large and powerful Communist parties in France and Italy were part of the national political culture. To keep these two countries in the U.S. camp would require that the Communist Parties would need to be kept in check, which would not happened if financial aid required to rebuild Europe was funneled through the UN. Truman argued America had a responsibility to save Europe from economic dislocation. Failure to do so would leave the Iron curtain at the Atlantic Ocean. June 5, 1947. (1)
The Marshall Plan was all set for rebuilding Europe. The plan was both a great humanitarian effort and a cynical extension of US imperialism. By not going through the UN the UN became little more than window dressing. Tying aid to the US dollar would place recipients at the mercy of the US interests. The terms of the agreement would require accountability that would force socialist societies to act like capitalists. Creating two hostile camps in Europe and around the world. (3)
Wallace proposed European reconstruction should be handled through the United Nations. With in the UN a new agency similar to the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, scrapped by Truman would administer the aid program. To Wallace is was both right and proper that the US should fund the program as the US suffered less than any other nation fighting that war. By delaying the Second Front the Soviets contributed more to Germany’s defeat than the other allies. The US came out of that War with its economy booming, while the Nations of the economies Europe and Asia were devastated and shattered. Wallace thought more money should go to the Soviet Union because as our ally against the Nazis they bore most of the casualties. There should be no strings attached because we all owe a debt of gratitude to the Soviets for doing the most to win that war. Wallace thought that no money should be set aside for military aid to any country. The Marshall Plan failed to meet his concerns because it was designed to be an anti-communist addendum to the Truman doctrine. This position would further isolate Wallace and the Progressive Party as the CIO made support of the Marshall Plan the acid test of loyalty. (3)
May 14, 1947 thirty thousand people paid to hear Wallace speak against US foreign policy in Chicago, May 16 ten thousand showed up in Detroit, May 19 again thirty thousand paid to hear Wallace in Los Angeles. (2)
In 1947 the House Un-American Activities Committee began investigating the Communist influence in the Hollywood film industry. At first all liberals were suspect. Hollywood community at first stood up to the committee. But, cowards among them began to abandon their colleagues and actually testified against close friends and coworkers. (2)
The House on UnAmerican Activities Committee (HUAC) claimed the New Deal Claude Pepper on September 17, 1947 openly criticized the Truman foreign policies. The Senator from Florida called Henry Wallace a truly great statesman. (2)
House Un-American Activities Committee began investigating Hollywood. In the beginning there was very broad popular support in opposing this investigation. In the very start a markedly wide-ranging and widely held backing led to resistance to this investigation. Protests brought in to question the legitimacy of the Committee. But with government support of the committee, the moguls of the film industry soon openly supported the committee. Most in the Hollywood community either ran for cover or switched sides. It was the safe thing to do. Those who were too slow in supporting the Committee would never work again in the industry. Now there was a rush to turn in friends. Other simple stayed quiet and kept their heads down. Ten directors and writers went to jail. The Progressive Citizens of America met with the Arts, Sciences, Professions Council on Cultural Freedom and Civil Liberties met in New York October 25 and 26 advocating the elimination of any and all committees set up to investigate “Un-American” activities. But, such actions to protect basic civil liberties soon were met by threats from the government and mob violence. Colleges quickly closed their campuses to any speaking in favor of the Progressive agenda. Progressives then spoke in private facilities off campus the press nearly universally condemned Wallace and any progressives. Law enforcement disrupted Progressive meetings and mobs threaten rallies often facing even larger crowds who showed up to support Wallace and the progressives. (3)
John J. Sparkman of Alabama director of the speakers’ bureau for the Democrats canceled both Wallace and Pepper’s speaking tours as Democrats. (2)
Pepper denounced Truman who through executive order forbids anyone employed in the executive branch from criticizing his foreign policy without his prior approvals. (2)
Following this anyone in congress critical of U.S. foreign policy would be met by condemnation and warning from the executive branch as giving aid to the enemy. Thus the Administration was actively suppressing free speech. Pepper further claimed Wallace’s challenge to Truman did a vital service to all Americans when he spoke out and was fired from the cabinet. (2)
Because loyalty reports were compiled on the individual in a way the fourth and fourteenth amendments were redefined any information against someone was taken seriously and very little effort was effort was expended in determining its accuracy. Reports listed the charges and not where those charges came from therefore eliminating the sixth amendment. (2)
It was held that certain beliefs were so dangerous and that expressing certain viewpoints could not be freely expressed without threatening the security of a nation that any measure necessary should be taken to silence such people. Senator Pat McCarran of Nevada expressed what most in government were also thinking. (2)
September 1, 1947 Wallace wrote an editorial in the New Republic. We need new Political Action. The Truman Administration is not pro-labor. In California an Independent Progressive Party was formed. Robert Kenny tried to get California Democrats to support Wallace. Beanie Baldwin was willing to work within the Democratic Party where possible and break with the Democrats were this was not possible. Progressives in or out of the Democratic Party were willing to work as a unified Progressive Party to outline their views. Avoiding red bating was taken as a necessary first step. This excluded any and all liberal anti-communists. (3)
The Progressive Party policy of foreign affairs centered on what they saw as a failure to offer no alternative view to the reactionary Truman policies. Truman policy supported by ADA was not only uncompromisingly pro-capitalist, but a global capitalism closely monitored by the US government, financial institutions and direct investments into local economies. Truman policy also supported by liberal anti-communists excluded any tolerance national or regional socialist alternatives anywhere in the world. The economy around the world was shattered. Except for the US whose economy was hyper-robust. The hope of a single integrated global capitalist economy would require the US to not only become the center of that economy, any independent economies would seriously undermine that plan. The world became a much simpler place to the Truman Democrats and the ADA. Either a country supported the Washington plan or they were lending support to the enemy of free people everywhere, the Soviets. Wallace saw through this farce. By taking an openly anti-imperialist stand would open up the world to multiple economic systems coexisting, each free trading and interacting with others while preserving their uniqueness. The corporate capitalist, Republicans, Truman, ADA, and other liberal anti-communists saw this as subversive. Because communism was redefined to include any challenge to US global dominance. This is what was meant by hegemony. Bi-partisan on foreign support was now a given. By this time every questioning of US international supremacy or authority was treason. (3)
Wallace said a two party system with one platform is just as bad as a one party state. Wallace welcomed support of anyone who shared his concerns about the direction of US foreign policy. Communist or New Dealer could work together bring about a dialogue that could offer a peaceful alternative to the cold war. (3)
The FBI kept the sources in their reports secret. The confidential nature of the FBI sources was a matter of national security. But, the accused had no way to counter the charges. Not only by protecting informants, it was also held that if information concerning the charges were open to review a subversive might be able to mount a defense. Attorney General Tom Clark on July 8, 1947 denied access to these reports to anyone outside of the FBI. This had the effect of not only denying proper council to the accused, but any committee investigating subversive activities would not be able to examine these reports. Because most charges were vague, irrational fear was closely cultivated to replace careful judicial review or prudent legal appraisal of what was the legal questions the real nature of these rebellious behaviors that had people in government so worried. Because of the confidential nature of these reports, there was no real legal or legislative oversight. It was held that any disclosure of sources might prejudice the investigation. With no any revelation of the informants that could influence the examination the accused was guilty even before the inquiry got underway. It was designed to punish and not to find out if a crime has been committed.
The FBI insisted the nature of these investigations would require information and proof remain strictly confidential. Not overt facts, but the potential for subversive activities became become what was important in these investigations. The FBI insisted on running these investigations in secret in order to protect their sources and to avoid civil liberties groups from interfering with these investigations with their concerns about civil liberties. Even though many of these front organization to be sincerely concerned with humanitarian issues, they were really carrying out espionage for the Soviet Union the FBI claimed. Many of these same or, it was further claimed, supplemented their activities by dispensing thoughts, beliefs, ideas and information that was a threat to the US. They would in turn try to influence policy that would be favorable to the Soviet Union. The peace was subversive. Because of all this the FBI insisted that access to either the files or their knowledge about the informants remain restricted The FBI only offered summaries of their findings to the committees. The accused was never really sure about exactly what the charges against them were, who made the accusations in the first place or what kind of evidence did the FBI really have. Nor could the accused examine the evidence to mount a defense. (3)
The Department of Justice under Truman with his first Attorney General Tom Clark and later with his replacement Howard McGrath and always FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover intentionally establish a popular political culture of ant-communist hysteria. The second red scare was different than the first red scare 1919 – 1921, following the First World War. Were as the first red scare the main concern was that the anarchists, communists and socialists were trying to destroy private property and the free enterprise system; the second red scare were that Communists and their sympathizers were acting as agents of the Soviet Union and thus a direct threat to national security. During the first the fear was the foreign ideas were creeping into America and destroying are cherish cultural values. In 1919 it was easy to know who the subversives were and to round them up. The second red scare, now this was no longer the case because Communists were a secret subversive organization. They take secret orders from the Soviets and because they lie they easily fit in to mainstream America to destroy America making a Soviet take over easier. Now no one knew for sure who the Communists were. You couldn’t simply round them up. The general public had to be on the look out for very subtle warning signs of any suspicious behavior. A whole series of investigations were necessary to find out who these liars were. Communist could be anybody. Only way to catch them was if ordinary citizens would be willing to inform on any known past indiscretions and current suspicious behavior. In return the government promised the identities and the specifics of the charges would be kept secret in order to protect the identities of the informants. (2)
Because the Department of Justice carried out these investigations in order to expose and root out this Communist and Soviet threat. Anyone or any thing that would appear to have in the least some connection now or in the past with the Communist Party USA, any front organization, individual communist in any country in the world would need to be looked at very carefully by the appropriate committee. Civil liberties were easily sacrificed. During Truman’s first administration they played very little in setting policies. By his second administration his concerns over civil liberties would seem disingenuous and opportunistic. The Republicans were on the offensive and beating him at his own game. The manufactured national emergency of the communist threat, a global cold war made these concerns seem hollow for most Americans. Now the lack of oversight in the management of anti-subversive investigations and the partisan competition on who was the most anti-red worked to undermine any protections of due process or basic civil rights. (2)
The FBI would work carefully with conservatives in congress by providing information taken from their files on loyalty of specific citizens. These include possible personal associations, political beliefs, and any support for indexed organization. Even reading any radical civil libertarian literature would get you indexed. (2)
While the Soviet Union was really undemocratic and intolerant of any dissent and clearly what was happening in Eastern Europe was cruel and exceedingly tragic there was no evidence that the Soviets were encouraging the large and popular Communist Parties in France and Italy to seize power by undemocratic means. There was no indication in early 1947 that the Soviets were either leading or supplying the Democratic Army of Greece after the civil war broke out. There was no proof that the Soviets were in control of the Communist movements in China or Indochina. (3)
Communist Information Bureau September 22, 1947 was founded when Communist Parties of the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Rumania, Hungry, Poland, Czechoslovakia, France and Italy met at Wilcza Góra, Poland. The Yugoslav communists were the most passionate devotees of the Cominform and because Yugoslav leader Tito was the for the most part a most single-mindedly militant Marxist manager. Because of this Belgrade was selected as the seat of the organization, until Tito and Stalin had a falling-out the following year over support for the Greek partisans. The above Communist Parties were the largest parties in Europe. They claimed US anti-fascism was disingenuous. The US was late in its opposition to fascism. The US entered the war not as an anti-fascist force, but to further the aims of US imperialism by riding the US corporate investors of the threats posed, by Japan and Germany to US global domination. US international hegemony arose not only intact, but was greatly expanded taking over the care of the British, French, Dutch and all the other global empires, and by controlling Latin America and the rest of the globe outside of the Cominform. Back in the US the truth of this position became manifest when the FBI began investigating pre-war anti-fascists as being prematurely antifascists and therefore a security threat. Forgotten in the US at this time was that the Soviets bore the greatest costs in defeating the NAZIS, and the Communist Parties in the territories occupied the by NAZIS in Europe including the anti-fascists in Italy were the major players in the resistance providing a major aid to fascist defeat in Europe. Britain and France could save their empires only by partnering with US imperialism. Given the large Communists Parties in the US controlled Western Europe it was feared by the US government that the social democracies might see how a Communist Socialist alliance may strengthen the left in the West. To Strengthen the Communist position in Eastern Europe a new organization was formed. (2)
December 1947 the US Attorney General published a list of subversive organizations. Liberal anti-communists this meant that they would support the attack not only on Communist but the remaining New Dealers who would work with Communist on specific issues where the Communists accepted the progressive agenda. Other liberals, the congress, the Truman administration as much would attack both groups. Liberals attacked both groups as much as reactionary right-wingers attacked these groups. No one really made a distinction any more. They were Communists and fellow travelers, not New Dealers and Communists who were willing to work on New Deal issues as long as the Communists were cooperative. Beginning of the end was the Marshall Plan. This would be very popular among liberals outside of the progressive movement. Progressives and Communists of course disagreed. Now things got really crazy the Communists made the rejection of Truman foreign policies like the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan proof of loyalty to progressive causes. Americans for Democratic Action and the Congress of Industrial Organizations made unconditional support of the Marshall Plan an absolute. The midpoint can no longer be maintained, as the anti-communist demanded you either be all in or you are a communist on support for US foreign policy. It really didn’t matter what the CP said, as they were small and insignificant at this point. As Yeats said "Things fall apart, the centre cannot hold; mere anarchy is loosed upon the world." By this time the Communists were their own worst enemy, as they would either have to either leave the party or the union they were working for. One cannot be supportive and opposed to the Marshall Plan at the same time. Now it was impossible to mend fences with the CIO as individuals even outside of the Communist Party as one’s commitment to the Marshall Plan would be doubted. The CIO leadership openly supported Truman’s foreign policy in total. By this time any criticism of US foreign policy by the dissidents were seen as being more loyal to the Soviet Union than they were to the US. While there some measure of truth for members of the CPUSA it was both absurd and dishonest to judge progressives by the same standards. (2)
September 28, 1947 in Chicago the Conference of Progressives incorporated a plank that supported Wallace’s peace campaign and they also adopted keeping the faith of the Roosevelt New Deal. Anti-imperialism became critical by maintaining that U.S. support for the global empires of European powers and U.S. overseas territories was wrong and needed to be ended. Support for the democratic anti-colonial movements were a good thing and U.S. military bases around did not provide security but provoked a Cold War. The Chinese civil war had only two possibilities either an all out Communist victory because of the failure of the Nationalist and its U.S. supporters or a coalition government that includes the Communists. (2)
Liberals in the Democratic Party formed several groups including Congress of Industrial Organizations – Political Action Committee; National Citizens Political Action Committee; Independent Citizen’s Committee of the Arts, Sciences and Professions; Union for Democratic Action. Later the Independent Citizen’s Committee of the Arts, Sciences and Professions renamed itself Progressive citizens of American and would merge with the National Citizens Political Action Committee to form the Progressive Party a name taken from the Robert M. La Follette’s Progressive Party. The Union for Democratic Action became Americans for Democratic Action the liberal anti-communists and would receive endorsement from the Congress of Industrial Organizations’ Internationals leaders and would also support a foreign policy of Cold War hostility to the Soviet Union. The Progressive Party openly challenged the Cold War, Truman and his foreign policies. The Progressive Party took an anti-anti- communist position and avoided red baiting. If communists wanted to they could work within the Progressive Party on specific issues both Parties might agree upon, but always recognizing that there were real differences. This would lead to red baiting by the CIO leaders and the ADA. The charges that the Progressive Party was a tool of the Communist Party USA and therefore agents of Soviet Union were of course absurd. (3)
Before Wallace announced his candidacy as a third party aspirant, the polls estimated that if he decided to run for president in 1948 he could count on a little more than forty percent of the delegates at the next Democratic National Convention. This was impressive but not enough to win the nomination given the enemies he had among the leadership of the Party. Nor was he in a position to influence the Party platform. Wallace decided as a Democrat he could not hope to change foreign policy by staying in the Democratic Party. Only within a third party, though he knew there was no way to win, could he force a national discussion on the Cold War. He hoped to win between seven to ten million votes that would go to the Democrats. This would he hoped open up the discussion. December 29, 1947 Wallace announced before the Executive Committee of the PCA that he planned to run as third party candidate, the Progressive Party. (3)
Both Taft and Dewey as Republicans held in 1947 that Communist Party USA should not be outlawed, because Communist influence at that time within the US was insignificant. The party had declined and showed no sign of being rejuvenated. Truman clearly agreed. But because of its ties with the Soviet Union it became an easy target that would get a lot of support from ordinary Americans, if you could scare them enough. The strength of the Soviet Union by 1947 was surprising everyone in spite of the best effort of the US to keep it isolated. The US was stable and could not be threaten from within. But the challenge the Soviets were offering to Truman’s plans for world domination would make domestically using of the CPUSA as an easy fall guy practical in a cynical way and would take foreign policy of the table for open discussion. (2)
Either you were loyal to the US or you were not. No definition of loyalty was necessary. With the Attorney Generals list it was up to the accused to prove their innocence by cooperating with the investigation. All members of or even contributors to such organizations were carefully examined to determine if they were disloyal or simply made a mistake and could redeem themselves by cooperating with the authorities. (2)
The Justice Department pressured congress and the President to give the FBI responsibility for the loyalty program over the objections of the Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service Commission wanted to be in charge of civil service exams and employment. The Civil Service Commission would investigate any older employee with a questionable past and turn over their findings to the FBI. Ultimately it was the FBI that would be given authority for the investigations. (2)
The Fact was that the Communists worked with liberals in the past both within New Deal programs and within the CIO. Both sides knew about this relationship and it was accepted during the popular front. It was also true the CPUSA because of its close ties with the Soviet Union took the lead in the anti-fascist movement before 1939. During World War II the Soviet contribution to victory could not be exaggerated and the contribution of other Communists parties in the resistance in both Europe and Asia was important. By the end of the War Communist Parties credibility around the world was at a new high. Anti-communism in the US took on a particularly nationalistic tone, not shared outside of the US. (2)
December 2, 1947 Beanie Baldwin proposed that except in California and Oregon there would be a need for a third party to keep the liberal progressive ideas alive. There was a growing debate among liberals on whether to vote for any Democrat in order to keep the Republicans out of office or give a vote of no confidence to both major parties. Issues like universal military training, peacetime draft, Cold War collapse of US and Soviet relations, weak civil rights planks, Truman eliminating New Dealers from the Cabinet and replacing them with top military advisers, surrounding himself with top corporate executives and military brass, loyalty programs, failure to stop FBI violations of first, fourth and fifth amendment rights, lack of support of the UN made support of Democrats difficult. By that time the only member of the PCA executive committee not wanting to break with the Democrats was Frank Kingdom. Both the CIO and the ADA would not tolerate a break with the Democrats and both organizations condemned the PCA for not breaking with the Communist willing to cooperate in a broad popular front. Progressives’ believed their voices were being silenced within the Democratic Party. By December 29, Wallace agreed he felt Progressives had no choice but to break with the Democrats and run as a New Party. (3)
1948
Democrats would make anti-communism a major cause for their party. By 1948 this had already split the liberals within their party. The Progressive Citizens of America created the Progressive Party of 1948. The other faction was the ADA the liberal anti-communists. There were the anti-communists (ADA) on one side and the anti-anti-communists (PCA) on the other. December 29 1947, Wallace announced he would run for president on the New Progressive Party, named for the 1924 Progressive Party. Wallace hoped to win between seven and ten million votes, clearly not enough to beat either major party, but enough to force a serious discussion on the issues he felt were being slighted by the Democrats and opposed by the Republicans. By the beginning of 1948 the ADA and liberals supporting Wallace but not willing to break with the Democratic Party began a serious effort to draft General Eisenhower to replace Truman as the Democratic nominee in the 1948 elections. Eisenhower declined the honor. Now the liberal camp sticking with the Democrats split. Some wanted to keep pressure on Eisenhower hoping to get him to change his mind. Others invited Supreme Court Justice William O Douglas. Both flatly refused. In desperation the liberals lined up behind Truman. This posed a problem. Hoping to avoid the disaster of the 1946, mid-term elections when the Republican ran away with the show because so many Democrats stayed home on Election Day, they would need to make Truman look more liberal. The Progressive Party itself gave the Democrats the other strategy. The Progressive Party would allow Communist Party members to join and work within the Progressive Party as long they would within the Progressive Party accept the Progressive guidelines. Now Truman felt free to paint the entire Progressive Party either a Communist Front or dupes of the Communist Party. Both Truman and the ADA would extend this each and every person working for, supporting or planning to vote Progressive. Truman’s closest advisors, while not being liberal themselves, told him he could not win without liberal support. Truman now openly courted the Americans for Democratic Action (ADA) by taking a liberal stand on domestic issues. Truman cared more about his foreign policy any way. His stand against Communism anywhere in the world and get tough with the Soviets would remain unchallenged. Because the ADA was so anti-communist this worked out well. The second red scare was kicked up several notches. Liberalism was the words you used, not the actions you took. Both parties now never questioned anti-Communism anywhere in the world and getting tough with the Soviets. The Federal Government had an open hand in stifling dissent and only challenge the Republican made was the Democrats did not go far enough. Fear of domestic Communist became a national obsession. Most Americans now worried a lot about who was a Communist and the attempt to weed them out was popular. Repression in America was at its apex. Blacklists, brutal prison terms, ruined lives for dissenters was the norm but most Americans felt free and reveled in their freedom to agree and felt it ok to imprison or ruin careers of any who thought improper thoughts.
With the Progressive Party of 1948, it is clear to all Party activists that the Communists did not control Wallace or the Party, but over time the Communists became central to the Progressive Party. The Communists work for social change accepting leadership of the New Deal Democrats, over their own long-term goals. The Communists willingly took over much of the day-to-day party work doing the most tedious of political tasks. As liberals abandoned the Party when Truman moved to the left, the liberals openly embraced at this point that the Truman Democrats were a lesser evil than the Dewy Republicans, Communists took over more and more jobs. The communists stayed the course. Now the Communists while sticking with the Progressive cause cut their ties with any and all liberals abandoning the Progressive Party. There were angry feelings on both sides. It is easy to see why many outsiders, incorrectly, saw the Communists controlling the Progressive movement. (3)
February 17, 1948 New York 24th Congressional District Karl Propper was openly supported by most national big name Democrats. Leo Isacson, the American Labor candidate, defeated Karl Propper. Henry Wallace and the Progressive Party endorsed Leo Isacson. The State Department at that time pulled Issacson’s passport. (3)
Progressive Party staff was as follows: Beanie Baldwin from the CIO-PAC was campaign manager. Elmer Benson former Minnesota governor was the national chair. Rex Tugwell New Deal Advisor now was the Party advisor. Others included Anita McCormick Blain, Paul Robeson, Pete Seeger, Ben Shan, Zero Mostel, Canada Lee, Dalton Trumbo, Norman Corwin, and Studs Terkel. (3)
All most from the start most in the Democratic Party began red baiting Wallace and his supporters. Glen Taylor Senator from Idaho agreed in February 1948 to be the running mate of Wallace. Taylor was an itinerant guitar player and singer, who supported him and his family by performing in local clubs. Taylor won the 1944 Senatorial election in Idaho . He won mostly because he performed publically around the State while campaigning. He was a relative unknown and was a popular singer. His opponents David Worth Clark in the primary and Clarence Alfred Bottolfsen in the general election were not as entertaining. He said Senator was the best job he ever had. Yet he jumped at the chance to run with Wallace. Taylor knew full well not a single Progressive thought he or Wallace stood a chance, and by running on a losing team his career would be permanently over. Like Wallace he thought it worth it to make a point.
Like Wallace he would accept help, but not direction from the Communists. (3)
The FBI treated the Progressive Party as if it were part of the Communist Party. There were FBI informants at every rally taking down names and car license plate numbers. The FBI kept files on he supporters and contributor as well as those attending the rallies. The files were confidential as far as the accused were concerned. But the files were freely shared with local, state and federal authorities. The FBI would send names unsolicited to employers, warning of the employment of radicals. Truman was kept abreast of the FBI investigations as he feared Wallace might throw the election to the Republicans. (3)
In February 1948 Soviets invaded Czechoslovakia. The anti-communists in the US took this as proof that you cannot work with the Soviets. The existing coalition government in Czechoslovakia let it be known that the non-communists were willing to work with the communists. Many Czech communists moved to block this action. Most of the non-communists resigned. At this time the pro-soviet communists took over the government moved and removed the remaining non-communists and the Czech communists who did not support this action. The Red Army moved in it was now clear the pro-soviet communists were clearly in charge. Now it was no longer desirable to have a coalition government. Communists not supporting this action were not only removed, but were seen as traitors. Clearly the Soviet Union reacted to provocation in a way that made Truman seem like he was right all along. (3)
Wallace lost support when he said Soviet action, though deplorable, could have been easily predicted by the Actions of the Truman administration. Wallace reminded the American public about US actions in France, Italy and Greece. Wallace maintained there were plenty of faults on both sides. This angered both the Communists Party USA who was uncritical in their support of the USSR and he angered the ADA whose anti-communism took precedence over their liberalism. He also angered many progressives who supported the peace program until the Red Army invaded Czechoslovakia. Wallace predicted the Cold War would only get worse. It was the ordinary citizens both East and West that bore the costs of this craziness. To Truman it was morally right for the US to do whatever was necessary to keep Communists out of Western Europe. However, when the Soviets made the same claim for Eastern Europe this was taken as proof the Communists in the Soviet Union were acting in bad faith. (3)
Truman presented any opposition to his foreign policy as lending aid to the enemy. All open discussion stopped. Critics were blacklisted and their lives ruined. The Republicans were forced to agree as their reputation as anti-communists could be challenged. Only on Communists in government could they go after Truman. But, it was Roosevelt who established a broad coalition that included radicals, progressives and liberals. Roosevelt's philosophy was by bringing the dissenters into the government and giving them something to do you can keep an eye on them and if you keep them busy enough fighting the good fight, they are no longer a threat. Truman tried to rid government of these same people, but in the 1930's there were some many young idealistic radicals it would have been impossible to exclude them. There was no attempted Revolution, so maybe Roosevelt knew what he was doing. So the past was fertile grounds for the Republicans to attack the Democrats. (1)
The Communists within the Wallace campaign more often emphasized domestic issues as they thought this could be won by forcing Democrats to compete for the liberal vote. Issues like labor rights and civil rights were being threatened by the rightward shift of both political parties. Communists knew foreign policies were a lost cause. Already the ADA, Socialist Party and the CIO by making anti-communism and anti-Soviet issues as primary weakened their reformist agenda focusing so much of their energy away from progressive causes. It was Wallace and the top Progressive Party officials that wanted to concentrate on foreign policy and relations with the Soviet Union. The Communists were of course pro-Soviet, but most Communist working within the Progressive Party was a long time activist and seen first hand how their close ties to the Soviet Party was used against them in recent years. While CPUSA leadership openly supported friendly relations between the USA and USSR, the activists that were apart of both parties saw the new red scare destroying New Deal reforms and the forward movement of the 1930’s. But, there was no disagreement about the importance of both domestic and foreign issues. It was how much time was be spent on each set of issues was the concern. As the liberal dropped out of the Progressive party after September, the Communists became the majority of Progressive Party workers. At no time did the Communist set the agenda or define the direction of the Party. It was the liberal who were firmly in charge of the top leadership. Wallace hoped to get between ten and seven million votes; the Communists hope to get between three and five million votes. The final results were Truman won 24,179,347, Dewey 21,991,292, States Rights Thurmond 1,175,930, Wallace 1,157,328, Thomas 139,569. (3)
Wallace once said he welcomed Communist support, but Progressives not Communists defined policies. He also said if the Communists decided to run on their own he would lose 100,000 votes but would gain three million. The Platform and strategies were never determined by the CPUSA. Even Communists working within the Progressive Party did not want this. Wallace was his own man and the Communists knew they would have more influence in a broad coalition, than narrow sectarian defined cult purity. Like the Popular front of the 1930’s Communists understood that socialism was not in the near future in the US. (3)
The Berlin blockade was a big win for Truman. The US and Britain were at odds with the Soviets over Germany. In the spring of 1948 Britain, France and US decided to integrate their sections into a united West Germany and would additionally incorporate the German economy into that of Western Europe. A Germany joining the Western Camp was a threat to the security of the Soviets. The blockade was an attempt to force the US to accept a Soviet counter proposal. That was to accept a fully united neutral and permanently demilitarized Germany. This would have been possible as this was done in Austria in 1955. The Soviets ask to open talks on the future of Germany. This Truman refused to consider. Thus the “air lift”… to get around the Soviet Blockade. Thus the blockade failed and the Soviets looked weak. Truman at that time said he would talk to the representatives of the Soviet Union, but only about Berlin. The issue of Germany was settled in his mind. (3)
While many union activists left the Communist Party in order to stay in the union, their radical past would live on to haunt them. January 1948 the CIO Executive Board voted to reject support for a third party by 33 to 11 majority. Those Unions that continued to support Wallace would pay a heavy price. The CIO Executive Board further required all leaders to openly support the Marshall Plan and go on record in their support or to be fired from the union. The same was true of being required to be open in opposing Wallace and to be willing to take action against any member in their respective unions who did support Wallace. Harry Bridges of the International Longshoreman’s Union was fired as West coast director of the CIO; His union would stick with him. The Department of Justice would try a fourth time to deport him. In New York FBI agents began investigating union locals who supported Wallace. Eleven unions in the CIO continued to support Wallace. July 4, 1948 the Catholic Trade Unionist came out against any Catholic who supported Wallace. (3)
Americans for Democratic Action National Board met April 11, 1948 they were still trying to draft either Dwight D. Eisenhower or William O. Douglas as the next Presidential Candidate in 1948 elections. They tried to get as many well-known liberal on board with this effort. They were organizing delegates in the individual states. May 28 at the Kansas state convention they were all most there. James Yount of the CIO had the CIO print up Eisenhower for President pamphlets and had them distributed throughout the CIO unions. Neither Eisenhower president of Colombia University or Douglas Supreme Court justice had any interest in being president at the time. (2)
In the first three months of 1948, Wallace continued to draw very large crowds; even though colleges and cities closed there facilities to the Wallace campaign. The ADA and CIO tried everything to make Wallace seem like a dupe of communism. Of course the relationship between the Progressive Party and the Communist Party was one in which the Progressives set the agenda. But, hard evidence never really mattered during the Cold War. In the South the Wallace campaign was the first since the end of reconstruction to be staffed by and meet with integrated audiences. Mobs attacked campaign workers and the integrated audiences. The law in the South was mostly on the sides of the mobs. The ADA remained silent on this. The Socialists sometimes offered watered down statements about this. This it was clear opportunism on the part of ADA and the CIO. For the Socialist it was pure cowardice. (3)
The CIO and the ADA were always trying to figure out the lesser evil. They were always trying to work out how to win as many seats as possible in the next elections. They were willing to compromise on almost any guiding tenet. Principles were never as important as image. In the end labor was dependent on the Democratic Party and the Democrats kept labor at arms length. Progressive issues were watered down even before compromises were offered. With no alternative and Truman moving to the left on domestic issues Truman became their man. (3
January 17, 1948 Alexander Bittleman a Communist committeeman was arrested and held for deportation. Claudia Jones was arrested and held for deportation. Attorney General Tom Clark promised to deport as many foreign radicals as he could find. February 10 John Williamson was arrested. Williamson claimed he was a citizen born in San Francisco. Clark claimed Williamson was born in Scotland. Because there was no evidence of his birth because of the San Francisco earthquake, if he was born in the US there would be no record of his naturalization. John Williamson voted in every election since turning 21. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) advised the FBI that they did not have enough solid evidence against John Williamson to have him arrested. The FBI arrested him anyway on the grounds citizen or not, removing him would hurt the Communist Party USA. The FBI openly admitted by arresting as many Communists as possible, even if some were later released the legal defense would exhaust Party resources. (3)
Truman until well into 1948 had major opposition within the Democratic Party. One group called Progressives broke with the Democratic Party to form itself as a third party with Henry Wallace as its Presidential candidate, in December 1947. (1)
Before the end of 1947 Truman’s advisers knew that if their man were to win they would need to win over the Americans for Democratic Action. Thus, Truman would need to move to the left on domestic issues. Up till now the ADA hope to convince either William O. Douglas or even better Dwight D. Eisenhower to run on the Democratic ticket for President. They continued to hold out hope of replacing Truman will into 1948. Douglas campaigned for the nomination early in the year, but withdrew his name from consideration, as Truman moved left and Eisenhower refused to consider running. As Truman moved to the left on domestic issues, his foreign policy remained far to the right. Because Americans were more concerned with domestic issues than foreign policy slowly the immense popularity Wallace had early days of 1948 began to evaporate. Many thought Wallace should withdraw in favor of Truman as the lesser of the two evils. The Progressives Parties peace plank, anti-imperialism, support of the UN as the final arbiter of international disputes was seen as secondary to liberal policies at home. It became easy now to isolate Wallace from liberal supporters within the Progressive Party. With A.D.A. and CIO support being won by Truman, it was easy to make it appear Wallace moved to close to the worldwide
Leo Isacson in 1948 won the Bronx 24th Congressional seat as the candidate of the American Labor Party, on Feb. 17, 1948, when he won a special election from the 24th District. Democrat, Karl Propper was expected to win. Both the Progressive Party and the Communist Party endorsed Isacson. This was a hopeful sign for the Wallace campaign that hope to win at least seven million votes in November. Both the Democrats and the FBI worried that this would mean the Communist influence was growing and Wallace may even get ten million votes giving the Republicans the victory. Truman was confident that given enough time he could separate liberal votes from Wallace, as the ADA already supported the Truman foreign policies. (3)
Communist movement. Now the FBI had government support to investigate all Progressive Party supporters and to tie them into the Communist Movement. The FBI offered unsupported evidence to prove that the Progressive Party was both led by and dominated by the Communists. The Bureau told Truman the main reason for the Progressive campaign was to defeat Truman, and they hope a Republican victory would ruin the US economy discrediting capitalism (3)
Truman troubled most liberals from the beginning. When Truman began to replace New Deal Democrats with corporate officials, party bosses and top military officers the liberals were more than just a little worried. From early 1946 on, liberals were looking for someone to replace Truman. At first Wallace said he wasn’t interested. Later many liberals also considered either William O Douglas or Dwight Eisenhower neither of these two was interested. (3)
Truman’s rather weak civil rights plank was too much for the Southern Democrats who broke with the main party forming a white supremacist and pro Jim Crow States Rights Party. American for Democratic Action still held out for Eisenhower. The Progressive Citizens of America had already broken with the Democratic Party forming the Progressive Party. When Eisenhower absolutely refused to run, the ADA still hoped to talk William O. Douglas to take the nomination away from Truman. Truman won the nomination for a second term almost by default. Beginning with two important factions bolting from the main party and beginning with weak support from much of the rest of the party Truman would go on to win the election. There are two reasons why he won, in my opinion. First he ran hard as a liberal using a New Deal platform. This won over the highly critical ADA, and took much of the early steam out the Progressive Party campaign. Second he let the over confident Republican to the fickle winds of believing you already had it in the bag. The final thing that destroyed the progressive challenge was the public fear of the Soviet Union and the pro-Soviet Communist Party USA support for Wallace. Wallace also failed to support his liberal views on domestic policies. At the beginning it looked like Wallace was a force to fear, by election time he was little more than a minor footnote. But, ultimately it was Republican arrogance that won the election for the Democrats. (1)
Liberals in the Democratic Party during the first Truman administration formed several groups including the Congress of Industrial Organizations Political Action Committee at first associated with the National Citizens Political Action Committee and next Independent Citizens Committee of the Arts, Sciences and Professions and finally the Union for Democratic Action. The National Citizens Political Action Committee would become the Progressive Citizens of America and still later they would merge with the Independent Citizens Committee of the Arts, Sciences and Professions to form the Progressive Party. The Union for Democratic Action would become the Americans for Democratic Action. The ADA would gain support from the majority of the CIO unions. Together the ADA and the CIO would become the core of liberal anti-communists. In the Beginning the UDA would see Wallace as Roosevelt’s heir. Both CIO and the NC/PAC would bank on Wallace for 1948. Soon however, the UDA/ ADA began supporting international anti-communism, while still remaining opposed to Truman’s domestic policies. Eventually with Wallace being thoroughly discredited and Truman taking over the liberal wing of the Democratic Party the Red Scare was reaching new extremes. It would be over a decade and a half before it would be safe to carry on any sane disagreement on foreign issues, expect maybe we weren’t tough enough. (1)
Truman authorized that the US government to do what was necessary to prevent a Communist takeover in Italy. Because of the Soviet actions in Czechoslovakia Truman presented this action as a serious threat to peace. In France the Communist made it clear that they sided with the Soviets in the Cold War. Truman called an emergency session of Congress to deal with the need for a permanent peacetime draft and establishing universal military training. (3)
Wallace pointed out peaceful co-existence was possible and the Cold War was a Washington creation. When Washington acts the Soviets could be expected to react in a way that justifies Washington’s actions. At home the people who spoke out against the Cold War lost their jobs. Now Truman has forced on the American people that most of the forward-looking, and progressive ideas were communist idea and therefore bad, no matter even if they were ethically admirable and reasonable ideas. Economic democracy, economic equality, civil rights for all, and peaceful co-existence were presented as communist propaganda. Therefore even without any proof any challenge to the Administration, painted the democratic movements everywhere in the world a threat to democracy. The only serious challenge to the absurd Truman policies came from the even more stupid Republican platform. (3)
The Black Churches throughout the South were many times the only places open to Wallace during the campaign in the South. Here he could address audiences about civil rights and foreign policies. Still he and the people who attended to
license plates numbers to the local police. The police would supply names and addresses to the papers that would print them in their papers. (3)
Wallace challenged Truman not to accept the support of any group advocating limiting democratic action of a people, no matter what the reason. Truman openly support groups and nations around the world that limited or curtailed the civil liberties and civil rights of its own citizens and victimized groups and Truman criticized the Soviet Union for doing the same thing. Truman supported groups dedicated to the violent overthrow of governments he did not approve of yet claimed that was a major reason he hated communists. Wallace took up Truman’s challenge that Truman should criticize the Soviet Union for it very poor human rights record. Wallace met this challenge by calling on Truman to openly criticize the equally poor human rights records of some of the US allies in their colonies and the US client states in other parts of the world. In Latin America for example the US armed and supported very repressive regimes. This was standard in US foreign policy around the world. In forming foreign policies civil rights was not a serious issue. The Ninth Pan-American Conference was dominated not only by secrecy, but its dishonest commitment to human decency, progressive reform and development. (3)
On St. Patrick’s Day in New York Cardinal Francis Spellman gave a extremely celebrated influential and ornate anti-communist speech and which time Spellman introduced Truman. Truman at this time stated he would not accept any support from Wallace or his Progressive Party. Because the Communists ran the Progressive Party, any discussions, negociations or compromise with any supporters of the Progressive Party was out of the question. Wallace and the Progressive were patriots of the Soviet Union not the United States Truman claimed. (3)
Wallace responded by pointing out the weapons industry was big business and this and not the Soviet threat was the real issue for Truman. International corporate investments not democracy were the concerns of Washington. Military preparedness was extremely expensive creating huge profits for the few and a deadly threat for the rest of us. Liberties and necessary social programs were sacrificed for greed and imperialism that benefited only the few. The Soviet’s reacted poorly to US provocations. The US not the Soviets found themselves protecting the cruel and corrupt British, French, Portuguese and Dutch Empires. It was the US that sheltered and propped up pitiless and fraudulent governments around the world. (3)
June 1948 Truman used every opportunity to convince the American People that the Soviet Union was the real danger. But, at the same Truman could not win without liberal support. Truman began to move to the left in his campaign on domestic issues. The Fair Deal was presented as an extension of the New Deal. Truman in fact following the advise of the ADA incorporating much of the Progressive Party platform at least verbally Truman could run as a liberal and keep his foreign policy in tact. The ADA now supports Truman, because their first choice Eisenhower and Second Choice William O Douglas refused. (3)
Truman was forced to keep liberals in his camp to take a very modest civil rights plank. This led to the exit of the Southern Democrats and formation States Rights Party. (3)
Now the Department of Justice, FBI, US Congress began discussing what charges they could bring against the Communists, who currently were not breaking any law. The FBI wanted to file charges under the Smith Act. The FBI claimed that the Communists were patriots of the Soviet Union and not the United States. Because the act forbids anyone to advocate the violent overthrow of the US government they wanted to use this. The trouble was that the constitution of the CPUSA at that time forbids it members to make such an advocacy. The other concern was the Smith Act was targeting individuals and not organizations. If the Party prohibited its members from advocating the violent overthrow of the government proving individuals within the party advocated would be hard to prove. To prove this against many members at the same time would be even more difficult. Most of the evidence that the FBI was willing to use came the early 1920’s. The FBI had no current data to support the claim that he post-WWII Communist Party advocated violence. The FBI hired Louis Budnezas an expert witness. As an ex-communist he claimed communists lie. However, it would be impossible to prove even with Budnezas testimony that in point of fact the Communist Party did not change its position. Mundt- Nixon act would be a better fit as it would require all CP members to register as agents of a foreign power, failing to do so would be a crime. If they did it could be used to prove that membership constituted a clear and present danger. Mundt- Nixon act failed because it was felt it duplicate what was already on the books. There were several laws the government could use, but the attorneys for the government said getting a conviction on any of these several laws would be easy. But, on appeals there was a good chance the Communists could win on constitutional grounds. At least many unresolved constitutional issues would be brought to the surface. The government returned to the Smith Act as it could be used as a way to get at advocacy. If Communists either in this country or in any other country ever advocated the use of violence, then at some future date they may again embrace the violent road to revolution. Thus the Smith Act would be used to prove a potential threat and stood the best chance of holding up in an appeal. (3)
Hubert Humphrey worked to win over liberals by making the Democratic Platform appear more liberal on domestic issues. Because of a very modest civil rights plank the Southern Democrats bolted from he Party forming the States Rights Party led by Strom Thurmond governor of South Carolina. Wallace received most of the Red Baiting that Truman would have gained. By losing the Southern Democrats Truman support among liberals was strengthened. Most of the votes that would have gone to Dewy from the South went to Thurmond and much of the supporters for Wallace at this time would vote Truman, albeit very begrudgingly, as the lesser of two evils. (3)
Democratic Party Convention 1948 re-nominated Truman and the platform committee accepted the Truman foreign policy as very important in its overall agenda. At the same time the arrests of the Communist Leadership was in the works. July 20, during the convention the grand jury was put in place at Foley Square. The FBI was given arrest warrants. The top twelve leaders of the Communist Party were under surveillance for over a month. Agents moved fast to make the arrests. But, the FBI purposely leaked the information about the arrests the day before arresting anyone in order to give the Communists a chance to go into hiding. The major newspapers picked up the reports and the Communists learned about the impending arrests from the mainstream news. It was hoped that the Communists would disappear proving they had underlying criminal objectives. This could be offered as proof of intent. July 21 a federal grand jury indicted the twelve under the Smith Act. This made front-page news, coming just before the Progressive Party Convention. Wallace replied that at a future date the high court would find the Smith Act unconstitutional. Wallace also said Truman was campaigning on fear, fear he intentionally created to salience dissent and rid the nation of critics on his left. All serious discussions would be silenced. The Party leadership acted according to FBI plans. After some debate it was decided the Smith Act was the best approach to seek convictions. The burden of proof was less. There was no evidence of any illegal actions, planning or advocating. But, the Smith Act could be used conspiracy in the broadest sense of the term. If there was advocacy in the past, then there might be conspiracy in the future. That was all it was needed to prove a possibility of conspiracy might exist in the approaching years when things change again. Eight were arrested; four went into the underground so they could wait for a time to rebuild the Party after crises past. Gil Ground, Gus Hall, John Gates, Robert Thomas went into hiding. At 5:55 PM five Communists were arrested. The arrests were set just before the Progressive Party Convention. Benjamin Davis was arrested later that night, as was Carl Winter. John Gates because he was editor of the Daily Worker decided not to go underground. Irving Potash gave himself up the next day. Gus Hall was arrested in Mexico. Robert Thompson eluded arrest for several months. Gil Green surrendered in 1961. The Smith act worked out for the Government because of the lack of evidence for either action or planning or even intent of trying to overthrow the government. All that was required was there was a potential for conspiracy at a future date. To recap: Robert George Thompson was sentenced to imprisonment for three years, but because of criminal contempt an additional four years was added to his sentence. While in prison a Slavic fascist group assaulted Thompson beating him with a steel pipe leaving him with a life long head trauma. Ben Davis was elected to the New York City Council three times, but expelled when he was convicted under the Smith Act. After three years and four months in the federal penitentiary he was released. Eugene Dennis (Francis Xavier Waldron) Dennis was found guilty and sentenced to five years imprisonment. He appealed to the Supreme Court who found against Dennis and the other defendants. Later the court rendered the broad conspiracy provisions of the Smith Act unenforceable. Bill Foster because of ill health he was not brought arrested. Johnny Gates was not released until 1955. Gil Green remained on the run until he voluntarily surrendered to authorities on February 27, 1956. He served in prison until July 29, 1961. Irving Potash was highly active in the Furriers Union. Carl Winter was the main leader of the Michigan branch of CPUSA. Gus Hall (Arvo Kustaa Halberg) after the arrest he was released on bail. He skipped bail tried to run away to the Soviet Union, but was caught by federal agents in Mexico City. Jack Stachel as imprisoned at the Danbury Federal Penitentiary and was to be deported after his release, though legally this fell through. John Williamson served 5 years in prison and then deported to Britain upon his release in 1955. John Gates gave himself up. Henry Winston like Gil Green he went underground and gave himself up years later. After some debate it was decided the Smith Act was the best approach to seek convictions. The burden of proof was less. There was no evidence of any illegal actions, planning or advocating. But, the Smith Act could be used conspiracy in the broadest sense of the term. If there was advocacy in the past, then there might be conspiracy in the future. That was all it was needed to prove a possibility of conspiracy might exist in the approaching years when things change again.
Defendants were Stachel, Potash, Winter, Davis, Gates, Green, Thompson, Winston, Dennis, Hall, Williamson, and Foster. (3)
The Progressive Party was harassed from the beginning. Dissenters were isolated from their communities, imprisonment and job loss was a real fear established on actual events. Thus there was a fear to speak out. Towns and colleges found it easier to deny Wallace, Taylor or any Progressive candidate a place to meet, that was always open in the past to political rallies. Professors were fired if it was known that said professor supported Wallace. Others were fired if it was suspected that the professor was going to vote for Wallace. Now the burden of proof was on the Professor. If they were believed to be lying of course they would be fired. Mobs attack Progressive party rallies by and with the lack of police protection, local officials supported the violence against the Progressives. Wallace mostly held their rallies in local Churches sympathetic to the Progressive cause. Many local newspapers took license plate numbers and printed names and addresses of people attending Progressive Party events. Police often would raid Progressive Party rallies or meetings in Churches or private homes looking at what kind of literature they would find. The petition drive to get the Progressive Party on the ballot was successful in almost every state. But, the names of all those who signed any of the petitions were now on the governments index of names to be investigated. At one point Detroit police commissioner Harry Troy said Russian Agents were entering the US from Canada disguised as Jewish rabbis. Even this was not too much. The stupidity of the red baiting became a normal part of everyday cultural life in America. When Troy was accused of being anti-Semitic his response was these were Wallace followers and Wallace and his supporters were all un-American and should be thrown out of the country. Through out 1948 Wallace supporters were called before investigating committees. Most refused to cooperate citing the first, fourth, fifth and sixth amendments. The press took this position as a confession of guilt. Many would be fired and blacklisted; others even were arrested for contempt. (3)
The Progressive Party National Convention was a special event in American History. More than three thousand people met in Philadelphia July 1948 representing the broad spectrum of American life. It was a fun convention with lots of singing. The Party rules were one-person one vote, not by states. This upset the A.D.A. because larger centers would have more votes. (3)
Vermont Resolution Sunday July 25, 1948 “Although we are critical of the present foreign policy of the United States, it is not our intention to give blanket endorsement to the foreign policy of any nation”. (3)
Frederick L. Schuman proposed: We condemn the totalitarianism of Left no less than the totalitarianism of the Right. Both are denials of human dignity and freedom though in the former in the form of fascism spells slavery and death, while the latter, in the form of Soviet Communism has the potentialities of freedom and life. (3)
Wallace would not engage in red baiting. Both the US and Soviet Union must work together to end the Cold War. Both countries could learn from each other. We need to both political and economic democracies, civil liberties and equality. Red baiting is a mask for militarism, racism and a reactionary agenda. (3)
By avoiding red bating and by taking the position that we in the US have very little influence on how the Soviet Union decides its political decisions but we could change US policies as an act of good faith the Progressive would be criticized as being controlled by the Communist Party. The Vermont Resolution was voted down and that was a mistake. It was understandable that red baiting once given into takes over the campaign. However as stated did lend itself to red baiting. By saying that we hoped for more political liberty and economic democracy around the world would interfere with peaceful negociations. The UN offered an established institution for peaceful resolutions between nations. (3)
Lee Pressman supervised the platform and approved by Henry Wallace and Rex Tugwell. Then on June 22 drafts were sent to all state parties to be discussed. Two drafts were discussed. The Tugwell draft in Chicago and the Pressman draft in New York were closely examined. . Then Leo Huberman and Paul Sweezy prepared a conclusive combination draft. Then Scott Buchanan prepared the preamble. (3)
As the Democratic 1948 campaign moved to the left, Truman and the liberal’s faithful were careful to point out that they were not in the same camp as Wallace and his supposed Communist friends on either domestic or foreign issues. Though in point of fact the move to the left was designed to win back as many Wallace supporters as they could. By abandoning the progressive party it now was possible to be a liberal and not be accused of being to close to Communism. The FBI closely investigated all Progressive Party supporters trying to tie them into the communist movement. Unsupported evidence was offered up by the FBI to prove that the Progressive Party was both dominated and led by Communists. Truman was told that the whole reason for the Progressive Party was the defeat of Truman. This probably was the motivation for Truman’s movement to the left. (2)
Throughout the summer of 1948, Truman moved to the left on domestic issues. Because of this move Wallace and the Progressive party steadily lost ground. The lesser of two evils took on new meaning. While this was going on the Soviet Union becoming increasingly desperate and paranoid began to take actions that was harder to justify. The Soviets began to tighten up controls in Eastern Europe. It became harder to claim Soviet policies were rational given what the US was doing. This allowed Truman to become even more hostile to the Soviet Union leading to more paranoia on the part of the Soviet leaders. If fools did not staff the Truman administration, it almost seemed they played the Soviets like a fiddle. Liberal anti-communism became even more anti-communist and less liberal. The CPUSA carried on its own internal purges at a time when they needed all the support they could get. To make matters worse the CPUSA uncritically supported every thing that was then coming out of the Soviet Party and government no matter how irrational. Even supporting Stalin in the Stalin Tito split. The Soviet party given national struggles in other countries abandoned the very large and important Communist parties in Greece, Italy and France. Any alternative vision was stopped in its tracks among Communists until near universal rebellion against the Soviets broke out at the end of the 1960’s. Liberals saw Truman, not as respectable, but as a minor criminal, when compared to the Republican Dewy, abandoned the Progressive Party in droves. Communist were all that was left to take leadership roles in the Progressive Party. What was false became true about Communist influence within the Progressive Party. Now red bating was not just a lie carried out by Truman and the ADA, but a self-fulfilling prophecy. Now the very large crowds who paid to see Wallace or Taylor became very small. Universities refused to allow Progressive candidates on University property, city halls were off limits , police harassed Progressive candidates speaking in Public parks, mob violence was common and police often refused to offer speakers any protection. Now it was obvious the end would become tragically anti-climatic. (3)
Republican counter attack began with the “Pumpkin Papers” making Hiss out to be a Spy at the top level of the State Department. It seemed that the HUAC was vindicated. Chambers added to his original story that he saw Hiss talking to known Communists. Now, he said that Hiss received classified microfilm of State Department documents from Hiss and these documents were hidden in a hollowed out pumpkin on a Maryland farm. Now the Republican shifted from warning about New Deal, Communist Popular Front cooperation over domestic reform, to the far more dangerous foreign agents within the US made up of US citizen that directly threatened national security. Though the Government failed to convict Mr. Hiss on espionage charges, the government did send him to prison on perjury. People today still argue heatedly whether or not he was guilty and of what. (1)
There were many Communists working within the Progressive Party, though they never really controlled the Progressive Party nor its platform. Wallace was his own man and was never dominated, nor influenced by the Communists. Because so many liberals dropped out of the Progressive Party after August, the Communists were in fact a majority of those who were left. But, even from the early days the Communists did more than their share of the work. By August they were carrying the majority of the load. But, Communist continued to accept they were as part of the Progressive Party and on their terms, even though they were doing most of the actual work. Because the Communist did not control or dominate the Progressives, the Communists had strong ambivalence towards Wallace and the Progressives. For the Communists the Progressives were truly the lesser evil. Wallace was not a socialist, but believed in progressive capitalism. This meant that a business owner was responsible to the community and the workers at his firm. A worker was encouraged to become a union activist and her responsibility was to her class and her community. Wallace was also an evangelical Christian and dabbled in East Asia, East Indian and American Religions. Because of the above most communists felt Wallace was dangerously naïve. Being perilously clean politically, Wallace was baffled by his Communist supporters. Communist saw no future beyond crisis, depression, misery and calamity in the prospect of capitalism. Most not all communists were atheists yet they worked so hard in his party. Communists believed by supporting the Progressive there hope of ending the Cold War with the Soviets and there was further hope bringing back the New Deal popular front creating an opportunity reestablishing the important roles the Communists played in the late 30’s. Wallace and the Progressives believed in democracy and opposed red baiting anyone willing to work in their party was welcome (3)
In France and Italy Communists were a vital part of the political cultures of their nations. In Britain Communist intellectuals were well respected in scholarly circles. In the US Communists were hated at this time by the general population. Communists were fired from colleges and universities. They were expelled from labor unions and hunted down by the government. In France and Italy their Communist parties saw the CPUSA as adolescent and treated the American Party as a child in need of direction. In the Soviet Union many top party officials saw the CPUSA as not really an important concern others saw the Americans as picturesque in a simpleminded sort of way, because they tried so hard and were so unimportant in American political culture. Thus, only the FBI and other professional red baiters and the CPUSA considered the CPUSA as an important part of the international communists movement. (3)
Long before the 1948 presidential campaign the American Communists lost its ability to make their party relevant to the American experience. The US Communists dogmatically turn to the Soviet Party for direction on issues facing the American Party. Most Soviet Party officials had very little background in American history, society, or culture and gave very little thought to answering these requests. Their responses were doctrinaire, pedestrian and shallow. Further US Communists analysis of the American political economy was often insightful. But, the analysis of the Soviet Union was apologetic in the worst sense of the word. They failed to see the repressive nature of the Soviet Union, making Stalin a larger than life hero. The American Communists acted on their fantasies of the 1917 Russian Revolution. Largely because of William Z. Foster the party as a whole would challenge individual members who often had penetrating insight. Foster could not bring himself to see the US in 1947 was not Russia 1917. By the mass arrests of 1948 reason took a vacation and the Party began to act like what they were fighting against. Not only were the American Communists no longer dynamic, but also they turned on each other trying to be more pure in their Marxism-Leninism than the next guy becoming a cult in the worst sense of the word. (3)
At this point we can say something about the press in the US. The free press in America was supposed to be the cornerstone of democracy. But, in reality the press was a “for profit business” and that was more important than objectivity. Also, the press with very little exception reflected the official expression of US foreign policies during the Cold War. Not only were facts often hidden or distorted they also arranged stories to give the US a flawless account of US intentions. It’s objectives was given a clean bill of health free from any expediency of commercial supremacy or opportunism for corporate power or maintaining a global empire. According to the official view policy makers n Washington acted only with the exalted motives and self sacrifice for others. All other views were easily dismissed as either subversion or treason. The President, congress and the press lied to the American people. The Press was never a defender of democracy. But, during the Cold War the Press was blatantly the defender of corrupt and dying empires, deceitful government officials bought off by established exploitive power brokers at home and dishonest, thieving, repressive dictators. World War II became Americas War as history was rewritten. As the US tried to stamp out revolutions round the world killing the hope for democracy; everywhere outside of the United States America lost credibility as being the bastion of freedom and democracy. The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan created a road of no return leading to NATO, SEATO, militarism, world domination, mass murder and contemptuously subordinate all other interests to those of the corporate avarice and world hegemony. (3)
The Marshall Plan became central to the Wallace campaign. The CIO leadership made support of the Marshall Plan mandatory for all Union members. Wallace claimed, the Marshall Plan like the Truman Doctrine was necessary to isolate both the Soviet Union and the national Communist Parties in Greece and Western Europe. This would undermine the peace process began by Roosevelt. Both programs would strengthen European Capitalist dependency on US imperialism. The Marshall Plan would weaken European unions and would rebuild European Industrial Capitalism as a dependency of US capital. The Marshall Plan would reduce Eastern European countries that did not sign up for the Plan to either an agricultural hinterland or to spend a large share of its resources on military contest it could not win. Beyond Europe the colonies would also become dependent on US capital either by the US using its powers to save these decaying empires, or by supporting independence only when their dependency could be firmly established. Truman would succeed were Wilson had failed. The world itself would need the approval of the US for any and all development programs. At home the American people would be sold on the idea the US was the good guy by being told Washington’s only motive was to spread democracy to freedom loving people around the world. Any and all oppostion to Truman’s imperial dreams would be denied and any dissent was subversive, discussions were stopped before it got started. (3)
While it is true that the liberals controlled the Progressive Party and was also true Communists did more than their share of the hard and dirty work. When the federal government began its accelerated campaign against the Progressive Party including FBI investigations many liberals left. When colleges and cities close off their facilities to Progressives many liberals left. When mobs attacked Progressive speakers and local police protected the mobs, many liberals left. When people lost their jobs when it was found out that they supported the Progressive Party, many liberals left. When things got really bad many liberals left, the communists dug in and fought all the harder. (3)
During 1948 there was increasing anti-communism competition between House and Senate Republicans, the liberal anti-communists of the Americans for Democratic Action (ADA), the FBI, the Justice Department. Truman had his hands full trying to keep pace with the rising anti-communist tide. Fear was rapidly rising in the general population until there was no apparent difference between Communist and anti-anti-communists in the minds of the across-the-board populace. If you were not anti-communist enough you were a traitor. Violent crowds not only broke up Communist Party events, but increasingly attacked Progressive Party gatherings. Neither local police nor the FBI offered little protection for members of the Progressive party trying to hold legal rallies. The FBI position was that of the rest of the Federal Government any such protection was up to the individual states. Most state officials agreed with the Ohio Governor that he was not going to waist resources protecting traitors. The law would bring charges against both Progressive Party members and Communist who worked within the Progressive Party if they were attacked by mobs. (3)
In May 1948 Glen Taylor campaigning as vice presidential candidate was arrested in Birmingham, Alabama for breaking the local segregation law by trying to speak to integrated meeting at the South Negro Youth Congress. Throughout the South crowds tried to disrupt both Wallace and Taylor on their speaking tours. In spite of the violence they both spoke to large crowds. (3)
Senator J. Howard McGrath, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee on August 1, 1948 claimed the Progressive Party unilaterally ratifies Communist Party policies. John Rankin of Mississippi wanted to have Wallace called before the House Un-American Activities Committee to answer about the Communists working in the Commerce Department. Wallace responded on NBC radio August 12, 1948 he charged the House Un-American Activities Committee of being political gangsters spreading tyranny and trying to pass the draconian Mundt-Nixon bill in order to establish a police state. The HUAC, FBI, and CIA were terrorists and were agent provocateurs sending out threatening letters, creating smear campaigns to discredit opponents, manipulating the evidence then arresting dissidents without solid information or confirmation of actual actions. Then on October 6, 1948 Wallace stated the US support for Chiang Kai-Sheck was unacceptable because he was a corrupt and incompetent dictator. (2)
The Justice Department tried to push for either legislation or Truman to expand the Espionage Act of 1917 to include any and all government employees, making it illegal to not publicly support the policy and procedures the US foreign policy. Further this makes it illegal for a government employee to talk to any non-government personal about these policies. Also this would lead expand internal surveillance of public employees. (3)
By 1948 there was a pro-soviet coup in Czechoslovakia. Relations between Finland and the Soviet Union were stressed. In Italy the Communist Party was wildly popular and was showing signs of electoral vitality. In France there communist movement was clearly siding with the Soviets and to big to be easily eliminated. Truman blamed the soviets for all of this. (1)
Truman and the National Security Committee publically pushed for universal military training for young American men. By March 17, 1948 Truman branded the Soviet Union as the single greatest threat to world peace and the sole source of the utmost aggression everywhere in the world. The homegrown Communist Parties in Greece, Italy and France were really Soviet agents. Indigenous communists under Soviet influence were undermining domestic support for the U.S. (1)
Truman claimed the United States was the main defense against tyranny worldwide. That is why the United States needed a strong peacetime military. (1)
Truman simplified world politics. The Communists were behind the increasing anti-colonial struggles, the militant European Workers movements, increasing popularity of socialism worldwide. Legitimate grievances could safely be dismissed. Overly stated his position was this was a global struggle of believers in God against an atheistic religion bent on the destruction of the faith in God. Such rhetoric made any compromise or negotiation a threat to religion, democracy or any hope for the future. US, Soviet cold war was between God and the forces of evil. Democracy meant Christianity and Marxism meant atheism, God and Satan. (1)
April 26, 1948 Homer Ferguson republican Senator of Michigan called for the arrests of sixty-four top CP leaders as a test case under the Smith Act. The Smith Act was the best choice because it could be used to deny the accused the protections of the first, fourth, and the fifth amendments. The Voorhis Act and the Seditious Conspiracy Section of this act was looked at and rejected because under this law there was a lack of proof of subversive or seditious activities. The actual actions deemed to be insurgent or treasonable would require proof, which was lacking. There was also far to little real evidence to use registration as foreign agents act to arrests them of wrong doing and there was the lack of hard evidence there was reasonable doubt of criminal activity. But, the section 11 of the Smith Act was the conspiracy provision was not a criminal provision, but defined as a security issue. Even though it was argued there be would serious legal problems because of lack of evidence, conspiracy was a loose enough definition that a probable future conspiracy would work. Thus all that was required that an organization has in place teachings that could be used at a future date to overthrow the US government. Marxist classics including Lenin’s writing carried enough revolutionary rhetoric to meet the test. This was important because the CPUSA at this time prohibited the advocacy or sponsorship of violent revolutionary actions. Only the Smith could be used because of the lack of evidence and the government knew this. The charge would be conspiracy and not actions, past literature and not current policy, potential menace and not current danger.
Many liberals in principle supported the PCA and later the progressives, but held the position politics stops at the waters edge. Another way of saying the same thing my country may she always be in the right, but right or wrong my country the same attitude that would lead to America’s ruination in Vietnam. But, this would work for Truman and his foreign policy because once in place could not be criticized without being disloyal. Republicans found it difficult to out red bate Truman during his first administration from 1947 on. Truman by avoiding debating foreign policy with Wallace or Progressives allowed the lie that Wallace was a tool of the International Communists led by Moscow to stand. Now Truman would need to win over the hostile liberals within the Party by incorporating much of the Progressive Parties domestic polices much of which was also supported by A.D.A. and thus moving the debate away from foreign policy which Truman would receive little grief from A.D.A. and the CIO. By doing this Truman left the A.D.A. and the CIO with nothing to do but prove their loyalty by supporting Truman for a second term. Both William O Douglas and Dwight Eisenhower refused to run as a Democrat for president in the 1948 election. Truman became more liberal and they were stuck with Truman who was now moving to the left. In the end the liberal anti-communists became hawks and therefore morally bankrupt. They failed themselves, they failed America they failed to mount a protest to Korean War and they failed to stop the liberal war that would develop later in Vietnam. (3)
September 28 1948 Truman spoke in Oklahoma City claiming that the Communists were in charge of the Progressive Party. Truman claimed the third party was working to discredit Democrats giving the Republicans a clear victory. The goal would be that a Republican victory would be so harrowing and awful for workers, farmers, small business owners and humble Americans that the Progressives could replace the Democrats as the alternative to the Republicans. Truman stated that only a Democratic victory could save America from the tragedy of a Republican victory. The current congress Truman would claim proves how disingenuous Republican concern for the average American truly was. The Progressive party was spoilers. They proved how the Communists only meant to harm America. The argument that Truman was soft on Communists was itself hypocritical. It was he not the Republicans that the Progressive Party and their Communist allies were attacking. (1)
The Communists claimed neither Dewy nor Truman was the lesser evil. The Communists declared the Progressive Party could bring back the Popular Front of a people’s coalition. The claim that the Communists controlled Wallace and the new party was absurd. Wallace was his own man and his ideas his own. Communists did not agree on many issues with Wallace and the Progressives, but saw the Party as the lesser evil and supported the Progressives. Wallace and the New Deal Democrats who broke with the Democratic Party were the one’s setting the party agenda. Communists decided to work within the Progressive Party in order to establish a political environment that would become more open. This worked for both sides. Communists were known as hard workers. The Communist hoped a more open society would allow the Communists to get their words out easier. Communists in individual labor unions participate in the Progressive Party in numbers. The leadership of the CIO made participation in the Progressive Party unacceptable. This was open defiance. Any participation would lead to serious consequences. Because both the Progressive Party and the Communist Party stressed the twin dangers of fascism and war under either a Democratic or Republican presidency and because CIO leadership were dropping their opposition to Truman and putting defeating Dewy and the Republicans as their most vital agenda. Again the CIO supporters of Wallace were seen as being guilty of unguarded disobedience of orders from the top. Because of the opposition to the Marshall Plan, this would make the Wallace supporters isolated from many rank and file union members. Many Communists saw this coming and broke with the Progressive and Communist Parties, but to late to save their careers. By the end of September many supporters saw the Progressive Party under the control the Communists and support dropped off suddenly. Even Republicans saw this and toned down their anticommunism. (1)
To make matters worse the communist party was getting ready to go underground. Starting at the top groups of three would be set up each would communicate only with the other two and each of the three separately would be in charge of another group of three with the same instructions all the way down to the lowest level. This it was hoped would minimize the impact of FBI infiltration. This created a culture of exaggerated fear. It also cut of communication with people outside of the party. Many Communists were ready to totally disappear if need be. This made the Party not only an irrelevant cult, but recruitments stopped and many interested party members lost their contact with the party or simply felt it was no longer worth while. (2)
Louis Untermeyer on October 28 1948, with support for Wallace falling by the minute, said both the Republicans and Democrats as parties have failed and have been taken Over by the reaction. He was right. At that time only the Progressive party was attempting to act as a check on this slippage into reactionary mayhem. Wallace was fighting for freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, the right to criticize and speak one’s mind. The bill of rights by 1948 was no longer a bill of rights, but a list of privileges for those who already agreed with the triad of the Democratic Party, Republican Party and Wall Street. The Communist of course was an easy target because they could not defend themselves and the Progressives were called communist. Anyone who disagrees with Capitalism, Marshall Plan, and Truman Doctrine must be subversive or insane. The UN the best hope for peace was turned into a joke. Racism was entrenched and a civil rights was suspect. (3)
On November 2, 1948 Henry Agard Wallace and the Progressive Party was Politically Destroyed, He never received the seven to ten million votes he had hoped for. He received 1,157,063 votes. Strom Thurmond received 1,169,032. Thomas Dewey the Republican received a little less than 22 million and Truman a little more than 24 million. In New York were more than 400,000 signed the petition to put Wallace on the ballot less than 200,000 voted for him. (3)
The tragedy was while Wallace, never really stood a chance to win. He believed if could have received 10 million votes he could of made a difference in keeping democracy alive. Even if he won five million Wallace would have been successful. But, his failure meant the Dark Ages descended upon America and it would not be until the 1960’s before once again the flame of the hope of Democracy could be seen burning faintly in the distance. This torch of reason on fire in the darkness of night will never again be extinguished like Truman succeeded in doing in the election of 1948. The heartbreak was the liberals who murdered America by choosing the lesser evil; there by creating the nightmare they wished to avoid they chose the greater evil by not voting for Wallace. November 2, 1948 hope died in America and we are still paying a very high price even in a new century. Hoped died in America and Truman won against all odds to have a disastrous second term. It was a miracle and a tragedy of liberal America. The Cold War would reach new levels of absurdity. The Courts would join the chorus of repression. The Peace Movement was dead for another fifteen years. The Civil Rights Movement was dead for another decade. By voting for the Democrats the liberals in mass failed America. The Liberals failed the test of democracy. It was silly to see the Democrats as the lesser evil. The choice between Democrat and Republican is really between cowardice and greed. 1948 proved how shallow democracy in America truly is and that it is largely our fault because cowards reap what they sew. (3)
Thus, even before 1949 and the ratification of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization the need for an international defensive military alliance was being discussed. Such action would be necessary to encourage dependability and ward off revolution. Only with American guidance and support could the forces of freedom have technical ability to protect the freedom of all people everywhere.
Truman requested congressional approval of U.S. aid to South Korea June 7, 1949. January 1950 the House defeated the Korean aid bill. Truman claim congressional action was unrealistic and dangerous. All people of the world required U.S. leadership and assistance if they were not to fall prey to Soviet subversion. There was no nation in the world to minor for U.S. concern. Truman claims even in Communist countries most people knew that America was their only hope for freedom. Communists were always a tiny minority dedicated to enslaving the majority against their will. Everywhere communists must be contained and someday eliminated and then all people would embrace Christian and democratic value that America represented. Truman policies were rapidly alienating most of the poorer regions of the world and most Americans never had a clue. (1)
1948 when the Republican proposed the Mundt-Nixon Act because the Democrats had already set the tone for anti-communism the hunt for domestic subversive was already in high profile. In 1948 there was already a series of high profile arrests of Communists under the smith act. First there were the top 12 leaders soon followed by second and third string leaders in the party. This was under the direction of the Justice Department. Clearly the Democrats establish the frame of mind. By early 1950 all the Republicans had to do was be more anti-communist than the Democrats. This was easy because Republicans were out of power and did not have to set policy, deal with the Soviets or run a government. It is easier to point out what is wrong than to come up with something right. To late Truman became concerned with civil liberties. (1)
In 1948 the Liberal Democrats were split between the progressives who started a new party called Progressive. They would run against Truman they selected Henry Wallace and Glen Taylor as their candidates. The ADA tried in vain to get Dwight Eisenhower to run as the Democratic candidate, next they tried to get William O. Douglas and he also turned them down. They had no one but the incumbent Truman left in the race. Under pressure from liberals Truman moved to the left and became a born again liberal. Wallace started out winning support from many New Deal democrats but during the summer 1948 his support would fall away at a steady pace. There were two reasons. First Truman moved to the left making himself acceptable when compared to Dewy. Second when this happened Communists were left with most of the organizing and campaign roles proving the anti-communists right or so it seemed. (1)
In his second term Truman would be forced in order to become reelected in 1948 had to move to the left on domestic issues, thus he felt had no choice but to become more liberal. He needed support of liberals to win, plus with support of liberals he didn’t have to compromise on his right leaning foreign policies. The during his second term he found it necessary to become a supporter of civil liberties, in spite of the fact his first term civil liberties record was fairly poor in deed. By losing the election the Republicans set out and was successful in beating him out on offering anti-communist leadership by changing the debate from the international communist threat, to one of domestic communist conspiracy hiding within government. During his first term he himself was in a major part responsible for the rightwing shift in American politics. Now because of the triumph of Republican challenge to his anticommunism, he spoke like a liberal. On the other hand Truman would claim his administration was responsible for the conviction of eleven communist leaders, 138 were being deported as Reds and over 1000 were being investigated. Truman, himself was frequently to blame for the intolerant lunacy that became the culture political hysteria. By changing the quarrel from the international Soviet threat, to one of internal subversions by secret enemy agents the Republicans humiliated the Democrats. The Democrats could only claim the communist were a despised minority without that much influence, thus discrediting their own position during Truman’s first administration. (2)
1949 – 1950
The second red scare really took off during Truman’s second term and was the direct result of the actions of his administration. By tying domestic communism, Western European Communism and Democratic front in Greece directly to the Soviet Union it was about international conspiracy not the domestic corruption of American values. Truman beat the Republicans at their own game, while getting Americans to support a foreign policy where the US was the center of a global empire. The liberal split resulting from Truman policies led to the Progressive Party (anti-anti-communists) and the Americans for Democratic Action (liberal anti-communists). Truman’s relationship with the Soviets was codependent and interactive. Truman truly started it, but the Soviet reacted poorly to provocations. The fear of the Soviet Union for most Americans grew steadily from the end of World War II to the Korean War. Moving from allies with the Soviets to mortal enemies was a Truman creation in which the Soviets behaved in ways that Truman knew would justify him he truly played them. Then Truman had to move the American people from a commitment of isolationism to accepting a US economic, political and military presence throughout the world. Moving from a fear of domestic socialism to a concern about international communism was a natural result. The Republicans lost big in 1948. Truman turned the 1946 Democratic defeat to his advantage in 1948. Now the Republicans would need a new strategy. Any ties between New Deal Democrats, Progressives, and Communists during both the Roosevelt years and the Wallace 1948 campaign would now benefit Republicans. Even ADA Democrats worked in the Popular Front in the 1930’s. If all Communists were Soviet agents even the liberal anti-communists were also Soviet agents. What was acceptable in the 1930’s would now be a source of concern after 1949. Communists in government would become an easy target for Republicans. The National Security issue changed everything. Truman made the anti-Soviet paranoia his calling card. Now it would bite him and bite him hard. Most liberals with in the Popular Front at some point worked with socialists, communists, left leaning church groups if only indirectly. This was all a matter of public record. Truman painted communists as liars. The Republicans could use this to prove the executive branch under Truman was riddled with Communists. As the FBI had files on everyone in government and their sources were top secret the burden of proof was on the defendant and not the Congressional Committees investigating the communist threat. The only way to save one’s self was admitting guilt then to beg for forgiveness and cooperate fully by naming more names of subversives. (3)
January 17, 1949 in Foley Square in New York City twelve defendants of the Smith Act hearing, 500 protesters, 400 police market the first day of the trial. Foster was deemed too unhealthy to stand trial, so it was eleven top leaders. Any population that might be too friendly to the defendants was excluded from the Jury. This included laborers, racial minorities, and poor people. (3)
The Trial began on January 17. The eleven appeared before Judge Harold Medina. The defense attorney Abraham Unger moved that the defense needed more time because of the complex nature of the trial. The Judge refused and further refused a ninety-day extension. When it was pointed out that there was not any organization in place or evidence that there were plans to set in motion any attempt to overthrow the US government. Further there were not any weapons or any other materials to use in overthrowing the government, nor was there any evidence that there were any plans to gather these materials. The Judge rules that that did not matter as the Communists were not ready and that potentially at a future date they would be ready. The Judge gave them thirty days to prepare for the trial. The defendants believed that the trial was already lost. Rather than offer a defense, they thought it best to put America on trial. This made the Governments case. The Communists knew this but they hoped the American people would be impressed by their martyrdom. They hope to expose to future generation the true nature of capitalism and US imperialism. Not for twenty more years would anyone respect what she or he did. The defense attorney submitted an affidavit of prejudice. The Judge denied the motion because he held the indictment was true. The trial carried on for several months. The previous October defense submitted before Murray Hulbert a request to dismiss and require a bill of particulars that would catalog the particular overt acts of the threat of violence. The Judge denied the motion.
Truman was proud of the fact under his administration Communists were being rounded up and convicted of Smith Act violations beginning in 1948. Truman would counter the claims that he was soft on Communism by the fact his administration went beyond talk and acted by rounding up Communists. But, by this time he was fighting a losing battle. The national hysteria that he helps create now put him on the defensive. He found it increasingly difficult to prove in fact he was not soft on communism. With so many Democrats who were Popular Front Democrats in the past and that he started the claim subversive elements were everywhere now how he would explain his own party’s past would be more than he could handle. To try and stop or slow down the growing hysteria, would only support the Republican claim he was in fact soft on Communism. Not to challenge the red baiting culture of the day would only lend legitimacy to the climate of fear. (3)
At this time to be suspected of subversion was to be guilty and the only way to save oneself was to name names and would focus attention on to some one else. Now you had to publicly admit your guilt and your sorrow over that guilt. To claim your innocence would be seen as proof of your guilt, as all communists were liars, you were unrepentant in your guilt. The people you named to save yourself now would go through what you went through. Lives were ruined unless you could prove you have changed by helping ruin other lives. Now the focus was expanded from Communists and former Communists to Democrats old enough to be a New Dealer. Because it was the Democrats who started this it would be shallow to cry foul now. To add to this was the Conviction in federal court of the top eleven Communist Party leaders soon followed by second and third string leaders. To add to this the US Supreme Court would up hold these convictions. Now you would go to jail for not saying you were sorry. US Supreme Court would up hold the Taft Hartly non-communist affidavit provisions. The threat to national security was now more important than the first, fourth and fifth Amendments protections. In addition the interstate commerce clause made political strikes illegal thus protesting these convictions would be illegal. The argument was that the goals of the Communist Party were incompatible with the US constitution. Not just actions or even advocacy, but even having the wrong beliefs was now illegal. (3)
Front groups or mass organizations in the Popular Front brought communists and non-communists together. Communists were expected to work with non-communists in labor and other progressive organizations would now be called Communist Front by the US Attorney General. These many organizations could be as simple as choral groups, to industrial unions, civil rights, anti-fascism, or legal defense. Within these a 1930’s organizations there was established a truly American Counter culture. Now the heavy hand of Government would destroy this counter culture. (3)
After the 1948 elections political repression in the US pretty much eliminated the Front organizations as all members ere now seen as either Communists or dupes of Communists. Political repression not only supported by the highest level of government, but operated at all levels of government. Now because these front Organizations were targeted by all the resources that could be mustered against them. All three branches of government participated in the oppression. This domination found it to their advantage to go after an already minor and rapidly declining political party that would become irrelevant if left alone. Going after these organizations and individuals with data ten or twenty years old already. Both major political parties had their own reasons to go after the communists even though the CPUSA influence had already passed. Democrats wanted to sell the foreign policy of Truman of making the world safe for US corporate investments; with the US the center of global capitalism With the Republicans it was simpler. They needed a campaign issue. The Communist Party had very little resources so it was no contest. The major issues were never very clear, but it was easy to sell Americans on the international communist threat. (3)
Not just Congress, the Justice Department, FBI, and the whole Truman administration. Local governments, employers in the private sector, universities, colleges, unions, churches and popular media became central to the witch-hunt that was spawned by the anti-communist hysteria that became the normal state of mind. Not only Communists, but socialists, social democrats and even liberals became targets in the campaign against dissenters. But these same victims of this tragic joke, because of their previous anti-communism now looked insincere. They came across as seriously disingenuous being stripped of their moral armor. Employers in both the public and private sector were majorly responsible for the rapidly growing culture of cowardice, bigotry, xenophobia and conformity. The Great American Dark Ages of the 1950’s descended across the North American landscape like a plague suffocating traditions, insight and uniqueness. Dissent and even renovation was strangled for the next decade. Dullness was the norm. Boredom replaced creativity. Higher education, the arts, literature, popular culture were all recruited in the Cold War to be the voice of the single and narrow worldview of Washington and Wall Street. (X)
The culture of fear, the abuse of civil liberties, red baiting cut across the political spectrum. By the end of 1947 Socialists, ADA, Moderate Democrats and Republicans all shared that in common. This went along ways in establishing a culture of conformity, fear, and superficial cultural existence. By 1950 because of the actions of these liberals, liberal America was in shambles. These liberals helped the right wing create an atmosphere that Mr. J. E. Hoover and the FBI an opportunity to expand the definition of communism. Even some liberal anti-communists would be caught in the net of panic-stricken witch-hunts. Because liberal civil libertarians did not defend the civil liberties of the hated Communists these same liberals would become easy targets. (3)
Public officials, private employers, elected officials, journalists and even liberal clergy participated in the anti-communist hysteria. Patriotism was often a shallow cover for cooperation with a culture of repression. Because of the fact the ACLU refused to protect the civil liberties of Communists they along with the ADA and CIO became responsible for the many violations of the very same rights they would deplore when the hunt was expanded to effect liberals who never had any association with communists. These liberals cast their nets with fascists, reactionaries and professional anti-communists and soon would be forced to eat the rotten fish they caught. (3)
Ordinary radicals became targeted for blacklists for future employment. Any radical in the 1930’s would be dredged out of their communities as a public spectacle only to have the rest of their lives ruined. The Old Left would be forever destroyed. While the rank and file was reduced to poverty, the leaders were imprisoned. The radical subculture and philosophy were stifled. The US and the Soviet Union now increasingly shared public show trials in common. (X)
Left wing Unions both among the rank and file and the leadership were strongly represented by radicals. These same unions found individual Communists hard working, honest, reliable, steady and fearless. At one time radicals were recruited because of these traits. Unions and what to become called front organizations attracted communists, socialists, syndicalist, and social democrats. Unions and front organizations became special targets for the broad array of anti-communists in outside of government. The Attorney General’s list of Subversive organizations continued to expand after it was first published. The Subversive Activities Control Board job was to keep tabs on individuals who participated in such organizations. The National Labor Relations Board used the anti-communist provision in Taft-Hartley to decertify left-leaning unions. New York State insurance commissioner forced the International Workers Order out of business. The American Committee for Protection of Foreign Born was no longer either a civil rights group or a charity, but a supervise organization. The Immigration and Naturalization Service pick as many as 15,000 immigrants for deportation, but was able to deport 253. (X)
By 1949 the Cold War had taken on a life of it’s own. The Republican’s defeat November 1948 meant that the Democrats were right that anti-communism sold better if it was tied to an international conspiracy. The creeping socialism through domestic reforms was not as dramatic as a foreign global intrigue of dissenters, conspirators and collaborators with a distant power. (3)
The trial of the arrested Communists began March 7 1949. The jury selection was completed March 17 1949. The jury included seven women, three blacks, a retail clerk, two clerical workers, beautician, engineer, salesman and a writer. The charger was conspiracy. It was argued that in 1945 the party became a threat to the internal security of the US. It was their beliefs that were the threat. Acts of the members was irrelevant according to the US government. (3)
There was no testimony given by the prosecution that any CP official advocated the use of violence. The most the government could do offer into evidence the Marxist classics. Though they were written at another time and during different circumstances and the fact that they were easy to get a hold of were not an issue. The witnesses all agreed if and when a violent revolution broke out it would be a long time in the future and initiated by the ruling class. Much was made of the Parties discussions about going underground as proof of conspiracy. Nor could the prosecution prove that they Communists used violence even in self-defense. (3)
The defense called for a mistrial, the motion was denied. The trial never really brought up any documented threat. The Prosecution focused the theory of Marxism Leninism, or at least the interpretation provided by Louis Budenz who was a Soviet spy, who became a professional anti-communists in 1945. Never in the trial was current policy statements by the party were examined. The fact the Party Constitution did not tolerated either the use of violence or the advocacy of violence. When the defense brought this up Budenz said this was a lie to throw investigators off to what the Party was really all about. Herbert Philbrick an FBI undercover agent that had infiltrated the Party, brought up Lenin’s position during the First World War. Lenin advocated the workers during the War turn the War into a civil war against capitalism and the governments at the time. The defense wanted to look at his reports to put them in the proper historical context Judge Medina refused. (3)
To make matters worse for the defense things were getting tense in France and Italy. Both countries had very large, popular and powerful communist parties that were very active in national politics. France and Italy were considered democratic allies to the US and were important in keeping Western Europe in the anti-communist block. Communist leaders Maurice Thorez in France and Palmiro Togliatti were friendly to the Soviets and hostile to the US. Both Parties voted to provide armed support to the Soviet Union in any confrontation with the US. If the Soviet Red Army invaded either country French and Italian Communists would fight along side of the invaders against the US puppet governments in France and Italy in order to protect these two countries from US aggression. The French and Italians saw their respective governments as imposed by the US against the wills of the majority of their citizens. France and Italy posed a greater threat than the Soviets. (3)
May 23, 1949 the defense began its case. Judge Medina constantly blocked every attempt by the defense to present its case. John Gates was asked to indentify other top Party members Gates refused. Gates was held in contempt and sentenced to thirty days. Hall and Winston were also held in jail for the remainder of the trial. Gil Green took the stand to testify to the Party’s stand on peaceful revolution. He stated that the US was not the Soviet Union and what worked in Russia in 1917 would not work in the US in 1949. Medina refused in evidence a June 20, article on democracy written by Green and Dennis, Green argued his case rested on this article. Green was held in contempt and remanded to jail for the remainder of the trial. (2)
By 1949 the Republicans began to one up Truman. There was a shift from New Deals reforms were a cover for a socialist take over of a free economy, to national security of the United States was being threaten by a core of Soviet sympathizers and the Truman Administration failed to meet the challenge. The failure of the Republicans in the 1948 elections mandated this shift in order to regain popular support. Teheran, Yalta, Potsdam conferences meant that the US gave way too much to the Soviets who wanted nothing more than world conquest. Because the Soviet Union became an atomic power in 1949 proved to the Republicans that the U.S. government was riddled with spies, as the Soviets could not figure this out on their own. (1)
The year 1949 had a communist conquest of China; the Soviets exploded the atomic bomb and the disclosure of the Pumpkin Papers explained, according to the Republicans the fact that the Administration failed in weeding out subversives at top levels of government. (1)
Communists in Both France and Italy were important to the allied victory in the War. The Soviet Union bore the majority of the responsibility in defeating Germany and this would need to be forgotten and by 1949 it largely was the case. For Truman to mobilize support for completing Wilson’s dream with the US at the center of a global political and economic empire the U.S. would need a great enemy to mobilize support to come to the aid of one’s country. Truman started it and the Republicans would push him even further. In his first Administration Truman was in charge of foreign policy. In his second administration Republicans began to make Truman look weak, even where his major strengths were and as the author of the American side of anti-Soviet actions he was losing. No longer were the New Deal reforms the major focus but national security. Truman opened the door and the Republicans increasingly took over. Any threat to the status quo was communist inspired and part of a Soviet led plan. (1)
Everywhere was proof of the rising communist tide. The old European empires were decaying and nationalism was leading to independence movements not controlled by the U.S. In fact by supporting our allies we place ourselves behind the forces of reaction. Marxism became a global expression of people wanting their freedom. The U.S. the homeland of freedom could not understand this. Thus, national liberation was the enemy of the U.S. Any support for national independence became a direct challenge to the U.S. and the Republicans could easily show Marxism was more popular than ever around the world. American progressives who during the War spoke in favor at wars end about dismantling the British, French, Dutch and American Empires must be part of this rising Marxist conspiracy. The Republicans were right; Truman did not know how to slow down the global movement. Civil rights at home, anti-colonialism in Asia and Africa, Latin American national democratic struggles, the increasingly important national Communist Parties throughout much of the World, declining prestige of Western Democracies in the less developed nations, increasingly influential socialist parties in even the developed nations all pointed to Truman was losing the Cold War. Traitors within government sold America out. Truman was on the defensive and our foreign policy further alienated many people around the world. The U.S. and not the Soviet’s were the ones responsible for spreading communism, socialism and anti-colonialism around the world. In fact this only increased the Republican credibility, making things worse for everyone. (1)
The defeat of the Nationalist Chinese in 1949 and the inability of the Truman administration to save the Nationalist would seem to many Republicans that the Communists were hidden within the administration. Many Americans came to believe, because the official line from Washington that the Communists had very little support in China, yet they won. It was assumed the Soviets were behind the Communist victory. This is Truman’s fault he had had the intelligence of the broad communist support and the lack of support for the nationalist. He for political reasons did not share this with the American people. Making it seem the U.S. lost China. You cannot lose what you never had. (1)
If China fell then the Truman administration must be at fault. Shortly after the Communist victory in China, the Chinese Communist would be at war again this time against the UN forces mostly American in Korea. (1)
This gave the Republicans an opening that Truman was soft on Communism. Truman’s anti-communist, the Republicans claimed, was betrayed by the continued support of the Yalta agreement, which the Republicans believed gave the Communists that upper hand. It was further argued the domestic Communists must have played a role in the decisions made by the administration. The proof was they said the establishment of Poland’s postwar borders in which Eastern Poland was ceded to the Ukraine. The Red army was allowed to stay and supervise the rebuilding of Eastern Europe. The Soviets supervised election in East Europe. The fact that the US was in the same position in Western Europe wasn’t disingenuous because we represented free enterprise and democracy. Also the Republican’s pointed out that the dividing up of Germany among the victors gave the Soviets the Eastern portion. In the Pacific North East the Soviets had use rights to the seaports of Port Arthur and Dairen, part ownership in the Manchurian railroad. They were given South Sakhalin and the Kurile Islands.
This Republicans said was proof of Treason at the highest level of government. What the Republican’s failed to mention the Yalta agreement was made before the bomb was ready to go. The agreement was that the Soviets would enter the War against Japan three months after Germany was defeated. Roosevelt believed this would have saved American lives. The war ended with the bomb and not a Soviet invasion of Japan. This was all forgotten by Truman’s second term. Finally Roosevelt was all about winning the war and disdain for loyalty programs that would divide Americans. During the war American Communist was among the most courageous, hard working, dedicated super patriots in America at that time. (1)
If Truman really wanted victory against global communism, then his policy of containment seemed weak. If America were the strongest country in the world why would the American people need to put up with Communist governments spreading through Eastern Europe? Why couldn’t the US stop China from going Communist? Why couldn’t we eliminate large and powerful Communist Parties in the Democracies of France and Italy? The loss of the atomic monopoly must be the result of spies in America. Surely the Russian’s were not capable of figuring out how to build a bomb. Americans were led to believe that everyone knew we were the last best hope for democracy and America was way too powerful to tolerate any challenge to American authority. Truman created his own nightmare. The fact that openly democratic people might choose communism, that the Chinese Revolution was successful, the Red Army became a real force in the world, two opposing blocks were established in Europe must be because of traitors in government under Truman. The Republicans were on a roll. The fact both Eastern and Western Europe were the results of invading armies was never seriously discussed. That the Soviets had scientist that were capable of understanding the science behind atomic fission and fusion and it was just a matter of time could not even be comprehended. In China the US could not lose what it never had. With the defeat of Japan the Nationalist Chinese, because of internal corruption could have never put together a united China and only the Communist had the authority among most Chinese to do this. Not only was containment not enough, it was also a failure. Like it or not because of the Communist leaders in the many national resistance movements against fascism Communist were important, powerful and popular in much of Asia and Europe. Also with the failure of the US to lead the way to national independence of the colonies, the Communist became the voice of anti-colonialism. By Truman’s second term the Cold War became its own reality. There were professional spies in both camps, far more skilled in espionage than some Communist labor organizer with a high school education. How they affected the course of history was never really clear. Science is the universal language. Both sides had competent scientist it is doubtful if there were no spies the course of history would change all that much. In reality because of Truman’s rhetoric Truman created his own failures. If Truman fail to expand the Korean War we was weak, if he did he was reckless, if he did neither Truman was responsible for a stalemate. His get tough with Russia was also a failure. To negotiate would be appeasement. He had no support to heighten his confrontation with the Soviets. Americans were sick of War and would not support and escalation of hostilities that might threaten the peace. As his policies of containment had already failed, either to escalate or to bargain with the Soviets were the only possibilities and he had support for neither. As much as he wanted to send in troops to aid the French Colonial army in Indochina, he had no support. All he could do would be to finance a War he had no control over. It was real easy for the Republicans to pick a part his foreign policy. Their extremely militant talk was just that; talk. Their “get even tougher” speech making made Truman seem feeble and pusillanimous.
Communist conspiracy offered simple explanations for a multifaceted collection of extremely difficult problems. A Truman committed to protecting America from the international Communist conspiracy was designed to insure support for Truman’s foreign and domestic policies. (1)
Republicans initially were using anti-communism to dismantle the New Deal legacy. But, to do that Republicans began by trying to show the Truman anticommunism wasn’t tough enough. The Republicans would claim international Communism was continuing to spread and domestic Communists had infiltrated government at all levels. (1)
The Communist Party USA could not criticize any other Communist Party openly. The CPUSA said they would dispute any war with the USSR, but use peaceful protests to express their disagreement and work for peace. The Democratic Party issued a statement that the Communist Party USA took a position that was no better than that taken by the Communists in France or Italy. Truman called the position of the American Communists treason. Instead of finding a middle ground the Party clearly burnt its last bridge. America was in the grips of a red scare and a mob mentality was the cultural norm. At this time a peace plank was no better than armed struggle against the American Way of life, as the defeated Progressive Party found out. (3)
House Committee on UnAmerican Activities while investigating treason could be used to stop further domestic reforms both political and economic. Because of the fear of Soviet intrigue, Communism in other countries, domestic subversives required that national security came first and civil liberties could not be used to protect traitors. Prefect for exposing the treason of reformers and discrediting reforms themselves. (1)
There was an overall political environment of fear of Soviet aggression, closely tied to International and domestic Communism. Truman was largely responsible for this climate of suspicion. Because of this backdrop of distrust it would be easy for Republicans including Joseph McCarthy to attack Truman for being soft on Communism. Eastern Europe, the Korean War and China were no win situations for Truman. Professional anti-communists made a career out of exposing Communist infiltration in government. With security checks and loyalty oaths Truman had legitimated these fears. Because Communists were portrayed as liars, it would be difficult to describe an impugned insubordinate as a mistakenly accused victim of a witch-hunt. Truman in his own vocal anti-communism made it impossible to seriously challenge McCarthy to defend any individual being investigated. In addition Truman could not defend those whose civil liberties were being trampled on in these investigations, those blacklisted for their ideas, those imprisoned for wrong political views according to the Committees. Guilt or innocence was not part of the discussions. By 1950 the fear of domestic subversive activities became a national obsession. (1)
Socialist alternatives were removed from consideration in any accepted public dialog. The Socialist anti-communists became discredited because they spent too much time explaining how they were not communist. They exhausted too much energy by attacking Communists to offer any real strategy for turning America around in a more socialist direction. Besides being anti-Communist they had very little to offer America in 1950. With no real socialist alternative Socialists were no longer socialist. In France and Italy Socialists acknowledge Communists and could debate openly with Communists and offer an alternative socialist vision. (1)
Because of Truman’s victory in 1948 now Truman was in a stronger position than before. He had established internal security under the control of his office and within his office the Justice department. Truman supported the Justice Departments criticism of the HUAC, that at its best the committees simply duplicated what was already being done, and at worst because of its clumsiness threaten the good work of the Justice Department with constitutional issues and failure to document its’ charges. (2)
When Whittaker Chambers produced the Pumpkin Papers, it gave the HUAC new life. By 1949 the Justice Department became independent of the White House. The Justice Department continued to push for increased protections of its procedures from the limitation from legal civil liberties. By changing the grounds of dismissal from federal employment from reasonable grounds to reasonable doubt. Now removal from office became easier. (2)
Attorney General J. Howard McGrath claimed that communist were everywhere. They were in every occupation, state and public service organization. Communists’ goals were to undermine religious and political freedoms of every American. Communist are atheists and thus it cannot ever live in peace with Christianity and Christianity can never compromise with Communism. If atheism is allowed democracy will be destroyed. Only Christianity allows people to be free. Communism is an international criminal conspiracy led by the Soviet Union. Because Communism is founded on lies and all Communists lie anyone you meet can be a Communist and if ask them of course they will lie. Thus freedom became the freedom to agree, dissent would become grounds for suspicion and many citizens felt free even as their freedoms were seriously limited (2)
By 1950 J. Edgar Hoover claimed Communism was repulsive to all right thinking Americans. Then Hover would define what right thinking Americans would think. Thought it self was now a criminal activity. Any expression or opinion other than that approved by Hoover or his supporters was seen as subversive. (2)
Hoover publically used the radio, newspapers, T.V., magazines to create a nation wide panic about communism even before the Korean War. Most Americans came to believe that he left was ready to crush all that was good about America replacing free enterprise with socialism, a God fearing nation with atheism, democracy with dictatorship. Progressives and other leftists feared they would be targeted for extinction. (2)
The Justice Department January 1950 requested budget increases using security threats of domestic communism as the reason for this. Two indexes were created for reference. Comsab was Communists trained for Revolution and sabotage according to the FBI, who never supported this claim with hard data because national security. Detcom the top leadership in the organizations, the Attorney General listed these groups as subversive. Again data supporting these claims was withheld. Because of the conviction of the top 11 Communist leaders the threat of revolution was genuine or so Hoover would claim. (2)
Hoover would claim 200,000 people in the U.S. were potential subversives who when given a chance will endanger U.S. security. At an additional occasion Hoover would claim those ready to act if given enough notice would bring that threat to at least 540,000 traitors. This number of these rebellious conspirators could be expanded to fit the audience Hoover was appealing to, because neither the FBI nor the Justice Department would be required to provide any evidence because this would run the risk of exposing their sources not only putting their informants at risk but also endangering national security by allowing the accused to mount a defense to mask their crimes. (2)
Now it was claimed that the Bill of Rights including that the accused should be allowed to know the charges would allow these apostate seditious resident criminals to use the proof against them to mount a legal defense and go free. This would only allow according to the FBI, Justice Department and the Republicans that the Communists to continue their subversion and threaten the freedoms of decent American citizens. (2)
July 17, 1950 the House passed the Hobbs bill 326 to 15, with the support of the Justice Department and over Truman opposition. This would empower the Justice Department to indefinitely detain immigrants without a fair trial. (2)
Wisconsin Republican Junior Senator Joseph McCarthy. February 9, 1950 speaking before the Women’s Republican Club of Wheeling West Virginia would claim that the State Department was invested with Communists. Soon other Republicans also attacked Truman for allowing Communists in government. (2)
Because it was no longer required that the government had to have some reason for suspecting disloyalty, the accused had to prove their innocence, which the nature of the investigation made this impossible. Before not only membership in listed organizations, but also actual documented activities was necessary. But, the Loyalty Board found this too restrictive. The Justice Department held that the federal employment was a privilege not a right. It was up to the suspected individual and not the Federal Government to prove their case. Thus by 1951 loyalty programs was amended April 28, 1951 Executive Order 10241 stated if there is any doubt about one’s loyalty would be dismissed, even if the suspect was cleared earlier. (3)
During the Truman second term, in spite of the Smith Act arrests and convictions of Communists leaders, Republicans came after the Truman Administration as being soft on Communists. Elizabeth Bentley testified before the HUAC about Communist infiltration in government. Then Whittaker Chambers gave testimony about so many employees in government as subversives including Alger Hess from the 1930’s. (1)
The US government’s position on the conviction of the original Smith Act defendants would be that a substantive evil was important enough for a conviction and that proof of a clear and present danger must not be taken to literally. That the possible danger of something that evil; was all that was necessary in order to stop certain types of speech. The defense was in the process of appealing the conviction on the fact the Smith Act left transparent doubt about clear and present danger, conspiracy, or advocacy. June 25, 1950 the Korean War broke out and any hope of reversing this decision was no more. In addition J. Edgar Hoover appealed to all Americans on July 26, 1950 to report to authorities any activities that seemed odd. This was important, as Communists were dishonest, evil and subtle, we were told. Anyone can be a Communist, but there were warning signs if we were all on the lookout for atypical and idiosyncratic activities, support of causes that threaten the status quo or support vulnerable groups. (2)
The Court held in spite of present statements being made by the Communist Party that the possibility of advocating the violent overthrow of the US government in the future was all that was needed for clear and present danger and must be stopped. The gravity of the evil was greater than any disclaimer currently being expressed by the Communists. It was clear that no rational person would advocate violence if the chances were slim. It was held by the government, that if and when the US founded itself in a weakened position then the Communist would change their policy if there were a good chance of success. Because of the reading of the Marxist classics makes it clear a probable danger exists. By allowing Marxist to speak openly, to have a free press, to organize or to meet; democracy itself would be threatened. Socialism has succeeded through violence wherever it has been established. (2)
The Supreme Courts ruling on the Smith Act in June1951 was that because of the conditions in the world would require the convictions of the Communists be upheld, by a two to six ruling. Justice Fred M. Vinson writing for the majority proof of intent was not needed if there exists a probability at a future date of conspiracy was all the criteria and the first amendment need not be protected. If an evil is portrayed and notably existing in adequate amounts the suppression of free speech is justified. The restrictions on the first amendment rights would be necessary for reasons of national security. Frankfurter and Jackson wrote separate concurring opinions. Frankfurter said that congress had the responsibility to protect free speech, but not at the costs of security. Felix Frankfurter also wrote that it was not up to the court judicial restraint, but congress to resolve this issue. Further by limiting the free speech of those who advocate the overthrow of government by force, we create the prospect of repressing the criticism by those who did not, but because not to concur we are running the risk of the court becoming a legislative organ. Robert Jackson that clear and present danger should not be the test, but we should be aware of world events and the fact Communist are leading many anti-colonial revolutions and there actions in Europe would warrant limiting free speech of Communist in the US. Jackson rejected the clear and present danger argument. But, said that now during the incubation period when Communists pose no threat is the time to weed them out. Hugo Black and William O. Douglas wrote dissenting opinions. They affirmed that the Communists were not being charged with any overt act or with the Communists were currently engage in any criminal activity. Nor were they charged with mobilizing to carryout any illegal activities. At no time was it proven that the Communists were planning to overthrow the government. Words by themselves, no matter how offensive are not reasons to restrict the first amendment. The Marxist literature presented as evidence in court could be found in any well-stocked library in the country. The crime that accused was being charged with was not what was being taught, but who was doing the teaching. Because it was not what was being taught but the intent of the teacher was now seen as the issue. This opens up a dangerous legal calling in which we have the freedom to agree but not the freedom to disagree. Doctrines of conspiracy are often used to limit dissent and to curb debate. By turning free debate into sedition we open up the possibility of becoming what we claim to oppose. (2)
The ADA debated hard and long over the ruling. Some argued that to take any stand would only bring them under investigation and limit their authority. Others thought the US was on a dangerous path that threatened not only the first amendment but also other amendments in our bill of rights. Finally they would, like the ACLU, make a mild statement of criticism but take little action. (2)
The CP reacted poorly to this threat. All party members would now be required to reregister. Then each member’s application would be carefully reviewed along with an autobiography of party work before being readmitted. It was further decided that half of the convicted would go into hiding and the other half would go to prison. Then on June 22, 1951 arrest warrants for 21 more communists were severed. (2)
The North Korean invasion of South Korea was unwelcome by the Truman Administration. Popular anti-communism up till now had to deal with an abstract threat not a shooting war. The only way to keep American support, Truman felt was to have a clear, but limited objectives in the war. Truman feared Americans would not support a very long and costly war against China and the Soviet Union. Only a truly quick war of containment would maintain this support. In fact the Korean War became a war of attrition and American support began to wane. (1)
The continuation of the Korean War led most Americans to fear a much larger war. Support for the War never high to start with declined. To expand the war would have even less support, and fight a limited war seemed weak. (1)
The US had ground troops in Korea. At the same time the US provided military assistance to the French in Indochina. Not only did the US sent more troops to the Philippines, but it also armed the Philippine national army. The seventh fleet was dispatched to Formosa. Military aid was given to Greece, Turkey and Iran. Germany was rearmed and Truman decided to keep and reinforce a large number of troops in Western Europe. The international Cold War became something neither side could control without losing everything. Truman created truly a self-fulfilling prophecy. Nobody’s right if everybody’s is wrong (1)
With the Chinese army entering the Korean War on the side of the North Koreans everything changed. Truman felt he could not confirm nor deny any plans to either invade China or to use nuclear weapons. The expansion the War would bring in the Soviets. In reality Truman had no real choice, anything else would have led to defeat, maybe a mutual defeat, but a total and absolute loss for the US, whether the enemy would survive or not. Nuclear weapons were not used, the war was mostly confined to Korea, and the US did not support the Nationalist Chinese in a plan to reinvade China. There was never any real military attempt to support a counter-revolution in Eastern Europe. Truman, however, continued to make the claim that the US and the USSR and the Communists parties in every country in the world were in total war, until all traces of Communism, Marxism and Socialism were forever wiped of the earth. Manichean conflict of biblical proportions light against dark, good against evil, Christian democracy against atheistic tyranny. (1)
The Korean War increased the public fears of international communism, internal security threats and a third world war. Any peace organization, civil rights groups; anyone working for reform was seen as potential communists. Senate Bill 595, for example, required any groups on the Attorney Generals list of subversive organizations disclose all financial resources including monetary assets of individuals involved. Other legislation would require all members or contributors to these organizations to register as agents of a foreign power, Communists and any sympathizers should not have the same rights as freedom loving Americans. (2)
The Korean War clearly put the nation on alert that the communist threat was real. The administration created its own failures. Truman is if he wasn’t to be seen as a disappointment and a caricature would need to justify fighting subversive activities in a legal and constitutional manner when Republicans were winning the competition on being more anti-communist. Legal procedures would need to be simplified to minimize long legal battles and lessen the chances of future court reversals. August 1950 Truman offered to little to late to change the trend he created and was stolen by the Republicans. The administration tried but failed to come up with an alternative to the McCarran bill, it passed over his veto and had the support of the Justice Department and many powerful liberals. When Truman vetoed the bill, he offered incredibly feeble reasons for his opposition. He even promised to enforce the bill. Truman started the anti-communist, anti-foreign agent, fear of subversive language, anti-subversive activities crusade in government. Truman tried to prove the need for security measures. Truman was on the ropes. The same man so willing to sacrifice civil liberties for national security was now soft on communism. Truman beaten badly by the right on anti-communism was forced to become the defender of civil liberties. To do this without calling into question his own prior policies would become a problem he had no idea how to solve. His second term started out making him the wonder boy who won against all odds even with two major defections from with in his own party, In fact the Progressive and States Rights parties in fact helped him. But it appeared he was a walking miracle. The Communist victory in China, the French war in Indochina, Korean War, the Soviet Bomb and the stalemate in Europe if he blamed it on the Soviet Union and their supports within the US why did his get tough policies work so poorly. The Conservative Democrat and Republican, being out of power, found Truman an easy target. (2)
From the beginning decisions were made in secret within the Truman administration. When a decision was made Truman would announce it to congress, US allies and the general public. The assumption used to justify this was Communism operated n secret. It was highly unlikely that Truman believed this himself, but he could keep the debate confined to those who were closest to him within his administration for reasons of national security. Because of Truman’s actions conspiracy theories burst upon the scene ready made. Republicans needed no proof that Communists were in all levels of government because Truman claimed communists operated in secret and lied about it. This prove that Communist were in the Administration itself even without any evidence. (2)
Republican anti-Communism according to Truman was more anti-Democratic than anti-Communist. They were using very real Communist threats to further their own political aims. Truman said that the fact that the Republican agenda was bankrupt could not be hidden from the American people because of their “me too” anti-Communism. (2)
By 1950 for most Americans membership in the Communist Party or any Front Organizations equaled treason. By Truman becoming the defender of civil liberties without calling his own policies into question, he would need to claim only loyal Americans deserved freedom. The problem remained who was to determine who was and who was not loyal the Democrats or Republicans as disagreement arose. Because Communist lie how can investigators believe some one who says that I am not a Communist. Not to answer was a confession of disloyalty. If you were all ready named by a previous witness not only were you not allowed to know who the witness was but also what the witness said for security reasons. Your only hope was to cooperate with the committee and name even more names to prove you were truly sorry for your past mistakes and was now a truly loyal American. (2)
McCarran Bill Section 3141 Title 18 of the US code denied bail to all national security cases. It further stated that the accused should be denied their first, fourth, fifth and sixth amendments rights as the Communists are a threat to everyone else’s freedoms. Because of this view supports of civil rights, liberties and protected legal council for the accused were dangerously close to treason themselves. (2)
The debate by politicians during the second Truman Administration was between the self-righteous, elitist arrogance of the ADA, Truman and liberals in general and the sanctimonious super-patriotic nationalist conservatives. Both sides claimed that they had the best chance of protecting America from an international communist threat. In this contest the liberals would lose becoming anti-communist and not all that liberal. Because Truman was being accused of being soft on communism and was trying to justify his own anti-communist policies as being strong enough he lost the offensive and spent the rest of his administration on the defensive. (2)
Truman relied heavily on those closest to him who was the top leaders in the military, corporate world and the old fashion urban machines to make foreign policies. Diplomacy had no chance against the vested interests of a virulent anti-communism. Because Truman had little regard for the intelligence of the general public, his anti-intellectualism, Washington insiders and any one who seriously challenged him on the left he was isolated. It would be hard for Truman to win support because he opened the new cold war and new red scare. Truman operated in secret and led the charge to restrict civil liberties. No matter what he accomplished, it did not get him back on top he still came off as weak and disingenuous. Defending constitutional rights only proved he was squashy, frail and hypocritical. (2)
1950 – 1953
Between 1945 and 1950 the Truman Administration was largely responsible for the growing hostility toward international Communism. Each new action taken by the Administration was preceded by a massive campaign to win popular support. Anti-communism campaigning at home paved the way for every action taken against the Soviet Union. By 1950 the overwhelming majority of Americans believed that negociations with any Communist Party anywhere in the world futile. Only by threatening the use of force could the US keep Communism from spreading (3)
By the end of 1945 most American still believed that peace with he Soviets was still possible. Even by 1950 diplomacy though remote was still possible in many American’s eyes. With the Korean conflict things went from bad to worse. The Korean War was never really supported at home. Most Americans wanted a withdrawal sooner rather than later. Yet the massive protest that would mark the Vietnam War never happened. Most American openly supported the crackdown on political dissent. These same Americans frankly cheered on the concentrated effort to harass leftist organizations and publications. Pitiless anti-subversive domestic policies rarely raised concerns over civil liberties by most Americans. Nearly all Americans supported making the CPUSA illegal. (3)
Executive Order 10241 April 1951 Replace in Executive Order 9835 wording reasonable grounds with reasonable doubt. (1)
Executive Order 10450 April 1953 dismissal of any public employee whose employment is not consistent with national security.
Repression was a way of life. Now of course not only was guilt assumed, but failure to admit guilt and to cooperated carried criminal penalties. (1)
Originally there was required that the government had to have some reason to suspect treason. Not membership in a suspected organization, but there had to be some documented activity. The Subversive Activities Review Board found these rule too restrictive. The Loyalty Review Board claimed it could act properly with such limitations. The Justice Department held that federal employment was a privilege and thus rights were not covered. If accused of disloyalty it was up to the suspect and not the government to have the burden of proof. After 1951 it would be nearly impossible to prove one’s innocence. For reasons of national security you would never face your accuser nor would you know the full details of the accusations leveled against you. (1)
The US government’s position on the conviction of the original Smith Act defendants would be that a substantive evil was important enough for a conviction and that proof of a clear and present danger must not be taken to literally. That the possible danger of something that evil; was all that was necessary in order to stop certain types of speech. The defense was in the process of appealing the conviction on the fact the Smith Act left transparent doubt about clear and present danger, conspiracy, or advocacy. June 25, 1950 the Korean War broke out and any hope of reversing this decision was no more. In addition J. Edgar Hoover appealed to all Americans on July 26, 1950 to report to authorities any activities that seemed odd. This was important, as Communists were dishonest, evil and subtle, we were told. Anyone can be a Communist, but there were warning signs if we were all on the lookout for atypical and idiosyncratic activities, support of causes that threaten the status quo or support vulnerable groups. (2)
The Court held in spite of present statements being made by the Communist Party that the possibility of advocating the violent overthrow of the US government in the future was all that was needed for clear and present danger and must be stopped. The gravity of the evil was greater than any disclaimer currently being expressed by the Communists. It was clear that no rational person would advocate violence if the chances were slim. It was held by the government, that if and when the US founded itself in a weakened position then the Communist would change their policy if there were a good chance of success. Because of the reading of the Marxist classics makes it clear a probable danger exists. By allowing Marxist to speak openly, to have a free press, to organize or to meet; democracy itself would be threatened. Socialism has succeeded through violence wherever it has been established. (2)
The Supreme Courts ruling on the Smith Act in June1951 was that because of the conditions in the world would require the convictions of the Communists be upheld, by a two to six ruling. Justice Fred M. Vinson writing for the majority proof of intent was not needed if there exists a probability at a future date of conspiracy was all the criteria and the first amendment need not be protected. If an evil is portrayed and notably existing in adequate amounts the suppression of free speech is justified. The restrictions on the first amendment rights would be necessary for reasons of national security. Frankfurter and Jackson wrote separate concurring opinions. Frankfurter said that congress had the responsibility to protect free speech, but not at the costs of security. Felix Frankfurter also wrote that it was not up to the court judicial restraint, but congress to resolve this issue. Further by limiting the free speech of those who advocate the overthrow of government by force, we create the prospect of repressing the criticism by those who did not, but because not to concur we are running the risk of the court becoming a legislative organ. Robert Jackson that clear and present danger should not be the test, but we should be aware of world events and the fact Communist are leading many anti-colonial revolutions and there actions in Europe would warrant limiting free speech of Communist in the US. Jackson rejected the clear and present danger argument. But, said that now during the incubation period when Communists pose no threat is the time to weed them out. Hugo Black and William O. Douglas wrote dissenting opinions. They affirmed that the Communists were not being charged with any overt act or with the Communists were currently engage in any criminal activity. Nor were they charged with mobilizing to carryout any illegal activities. At no time was it proven that the Communists were planning to overthrow the government. Words by themselves, no matter how offensive are not reasons to restrict the first amendment. The Marxist literature presented as evidence in court could be found in any well-stocked library in the country. The crime that accused was being charged with was not what was being taught, but who was doing the teaching. Because it was not what was being taught but the intent of the teacher was now seen as the issue. This opens up a dangerous legal calling in which we have the freedom to agree but not the freedom to disagree. Doctrines of conspiracy are often used to limit dissent and to curb debate. By turning free debate into sedition we open up the possibility of becoming what we claim to oppose. (2)
More arrests followed
The ADA debated hard and long over the ruling. Some argued that to take any stand would only bring them under investigation and limit their authority. Others thought the US was on a dangerous path that threatened not only the first amendment but also other amendments in our bill of rights. Finally they would, like the ACLU, make a mild statement of criticism but take little action. (2)
The CP reacted poorly to this threat. All party members would now be required to reregister. Then each member’s application would be carefully reviewed along with an autobiography of party work before being readmitted. It was further decided that half of the convicted would go into hiding and the other half would go to prison. Then on June 22, 1951 arrest warrants for 21 more communists were severed. (2)
The Senate Investigations Subcommittee of the Committee on Expenditures in 1947 claimed that economist William Remington employed by the Commerce Department, was a Communist and a Soviet agent. Elizabeth Terrill Bentley told the subcommittee that William passed on classified information about aircraft production to her in 1942. Remington maintained that he believed Bentley was a journalist as she told him. There would be no way for him to know she was connected with the Communist Party. In point of fact information he gave her was not secret and a part of his public relations duties. The Department of Justice asserted the Republicans were on a political campaign to embarrass the Administration and cared little for the truth. Further the Justice Department would claim such miscarriage of justice would only hurt the real attempt to deal with the communist threat. Truman at this time called the investigation a Red Herring. Now Remington himself became a professional anti-communist. He sent the FBI information on fifty individuals, even though most of these people he never really met. But, William used this opportunity to finger his wife who was leaving him along with his mother-in-law Elizabeth Moos. When Bentley being interviewed on “Meet The Press” on NBC restated her claims against Remington he sued her and NBC for libel. The Loyalty Review Board found only serious evidence against Remington was "the uncorroborated statement of a woman who refuses to submit herself to cross-examination Remington was cleared of all charges. Then in 1950 the FBI reopened the case. At that time the Truman Administration was in serous trouble and chose not to help him. Ann Remington his ex-wife was subpoenaed to testify before the grand jury; through intense examination she testified that her husband was a dues-paying member of the Communist Party, and that he had in fact given secret information to Elizabeth Bentley while knowing that Bentley was a Communist. Remington’s trial began in December 1950. Both Ann Remington and Elizabeth Bentley testified against William. Even though John Brunini, the foreman of the grand jury was a co-author of Bentley’s next book, William was found guilty. The conviction was overturned. The in 1953 Remington was retried and found guilty. The appeals court upheld the original verdict. November 22, 1954 William was murdered in his prison cell. (1)
Truman was opposed to the HUAC, for partisan reasons. Both held that membership in the Communist Party was treason. To work with or support the Front Organizations were also treason. Because Truman supported the wrongly accused in their protections and constitutional rights he had to prove what he said no proof was necessary. (2)
Truman refused to cooperate with congress to gain access to federal employee files, CIA investigations or on going Administrative investigations. However, because Joseph McCarthy made the charges of Communists in the State Department, Truman cooperated with Millard Tydings and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and gave Tydings permission to examine confidential files of any employee that McCarthy claimed to be a Communist in government. But Truman reversed his decision because he didn’t trust the Senate. Truman ordered his loyalty board to carefully review any employee McCarthy claimed to be a Communist a report their summery. (2)
Then under pressure from the general public Truman did open some secret files to the Tydings’ Committee. The FBI files remain secret. McCarthy then attacked both Truman and Tydings in cooperating in a cover-up. (2)
Republicans were already represented in Truman’s State Department. The Chair of the Loyalty Review Board was a Republican. Now the Democratic National Committee was able to criticize the Republicans for their failure to support the Korean aid bill shortly before the out break of hostilities in Korea. Because Taft opposed this aid package it could be argued he indirectly supported the Soviet Union. Bipartisan support was back on the table, though not all Republicans signed on. Then the Democratic National Committee published several interviews of both FBI director Hoover and Attorney General McGrath praising Truman’s anti-communist efforts.
By the fall of 1948 deportation hearings of Alexander Bittleman and Claudia Jones began. Republicans were not happy with this; they saw this as too little. They wanted to make deportations of Reds a massive campaign with thousands of subversives going away. Homer Ferguson United States Senator from Michigan demanded that deportation be carried out as rapidly and publically as possible. Feeling the pressure the Administration called for a new Grand Jury. The number of subpoenas increased rapidly. Each person subpoenaed was now required to name, names of other Communists and of course most refused to cooperate. At no point was there any accusation that any of the people under investigation really broke any law. That was not the issue. This was an investigative committee. The issue of legality was irrelevant. This meant that refusing to cooperate was contempt of congress followed by imprisonment. (1)
Mundt- Nixon like what would become the McCarran Security Act of 1950 required Communists, Front Organizations as well as any foreign aid organizations lending aid to countries that may end up helping communists to register with the Attorney General. Stephen Springer, special adviser to the President, advised the President not to support the bill, as he feared parts might evidentially be found unconstitutional. However, the Justice Department strongly supported the bill. Hobbs Act would empower the Justice Department to detain immigrants whose native countries refused their return. It also removed all requirements for fair administrative hearings, if amended to specify security risks Truman said he could support this provision. Liberals supported the Kilgore amendment as a substitute. This would provide for the mass detention of civilians during a national emergency. The Attorney General would have the authority to issue warrants based upon suspicion of possible disloyalty. Communists and others thought to be disloyal or engaged in espionage or sabotage were included. Truman said he would veto the McCarran Act if passed. The Senate refused to pass the substitute. Truman vetoed the act and it passed over his veto in 1950. (3)
Richard Nixon would charge that the arrest and conviction of the Communist leadership under the Smith Act was a cover up for the fact the Executive Branch was riddled with Communist infiltration. That domestic Communism was under close supervision of the Soviet Union. This was not new, Thomas Dewy made the same claim in 1948 and he still lost. After the Truman victory professional anti-Communist witnesses now became a part of everyday life. Now the claims were being made the Communists were working within labor unions, professional organizations, the civil liberties groups and the sciences was being besieged with Communist infiltration. Republican National Chairman Hugh Scott made the claim during the 1948 campaign that Truman was blissfully unaware of the magnitude of the Communist problem within government at all levels. Now it was claimed Truman really did not care. It was also claim because of Truman lack of moral courage the Communist supported Truman as Vice-President in 1944. (1)
January 1951 Truman selected a commission on internal security and civil liberties. Truman then appointed Admiral Chester Nimitz to serve as Chairman of the Presidential Commission on Internal Security . By Executive Order Truman gave Nimitz access to confidential files and names of members to indexed organizations. The committee agrees that with reasonable doubt being used for dismissal from public employment, no further proof should be necessary. (2)
Defense Secretary Louis A. Johnson, like James Forrestal before him and Robert A. Lovett in 1951, claimed the existence of spies, subversive and security risks were at all levels of government. However the voice of reason was Spingarn* who suggested the Communists were more of an annoyance than a threat. He held the FBI was given too much power with far to little oversight or accountability. This ran the risk of jeopardizing due process and civil liberties. Spingarn further advised that all FBI records be given to a Presidential appointed task force for close examination. (2)
February 11, 1949 the Departments of Justice and Defense agreed in times of emergency the President could authorize the an Executive Order to round up and take into custody any and all individuals who would be deemed a security risk. The Interdepartmental Committee on Internal Security was set up. March 23, 1949 the Interdepartmental Conference headed by Director Hoover got under way. (2)
The Communist Party over-reacted immediately. Everyone was called into action to protect the party. The National Board was scraped. The National Committee was reduced to thirteen members. Elizabeth Gurley Flynn was added to the arrested National Committee. The Party chose to use the trail to fully explain the philosophy by exposing the US courts as a tool of the rule of the Capitalists Class. By not choosing a defense based upon violations of civil liberties and due process they never challenged or exposed anything. (2)
In the second string of public trials using the Smith Act the Government based its arguments on the Marxists classics and the Governments’ interpretation of these works it would be impossible to establish communism by peaceful means. According to Government witnesses the Communists were willing to use constitutional, legal, and democratic means to gain access to positions within society to launch their violent revolution when the time was right. The defense not only defended the first amendment the rights to free speech, press, assembly and advocacy but also it was now claimed that the Party embraced the concept of different roads to socialism. (2)
Elizabeth Gurley Flynn and sixteen other second rank Communists would be charged with conspiracy because of the known plans to establish the underground sections of the Party. The first eleven convicted Communists were to surrender to the authorities on July 2, 1951. Eugene Dennis the CP General Secretary surrendered to authorities. Dennis could not go underground even if he wanted too, because he was under close FBI surveillance. Six additional of the eleven also surrendered. The four who jumped bail to go into hiding were Hall, Thompson, Green, and Winston. Because the FBI was aware that the CPUSA had connections and a great deal of support in Mexico, the Mexican authorities were informed. They caught Hall in Mexico on his way to the Soviet Union October 8, 1951. Because of jumping bail Hall received three additional years. (2)
Party Clubs discontinued meeting. Many Party members simply lost contact with the Party. All recruiting stopped. The Unavailable But Open UBO would be the connection between sections of the underground and the section still operating in the open. The Unavailable Underground would drop out but would rebuild the party later. Deep Freeze was eight fugitive leaders would not only, not be involved in any Party work, but they were secretly concealed in deep into hiding only to reemerge when things became safe again. (2)
July 26, 1951 seventeen California Communists were arrested. August 1, 1951 the US government ordered thirty-nine Communists involved in deportation proceedings to surrender. August 9, 1951 six in Pittsburg and seven in Hawaii were arrested. (2)
It was members of the Civil Rights Congress that provided the bond for the arrested Communists. The Executive Committee was brought to Court to furnish names of all contributors. The four trustees would be the only ones with that information and of course as a matter of principle they refused to cooperate with the Court. The four were sent to prison. The four were Frederick Vanderbilt Field, Alpheus T. Hunton, Dashiell Hammett, and Abner Green. (2)
Like during the first trial, the prosecution witnesses were asked to read from the Marxists classics and current party literature to the effect that the non-violent transition is in fact not possible. The defense challenged this by putting the defendants on the stand and by using their own quotes from the classics and literature. In Baltimore the case went to the Jury April 1, 1952 on April 4 the Jury found the defendants guilty and they were sentenced from two to five years in prison. (2)
In California the defense broke with the strategy of the first trial by not explaining Marxist doctrine, but to defend the civil liberties of the individual defendants. However, each defendant was given an opportunity to give her or his own personal interpretation of the Marxists classics. They did this and each differed from what William Z Foster would have liked. They all agreed on one point, and that was history requires us to constantly up date how the classics are to be applied to the current situation. Because socialism was not possible in the near future, the job of the party was to work for peaceful reform and to educate people on what socialism really is. Under the changed set of circumstances different strategies would apply. Violence not only is not necessary, but also would not work. It is important to adapt. (2)
Unlike the first trial in which the defense focused on explaining Communist philosophy, the California defendants based the defense on constitutional protections of rights and by this they hoped to appeal to civil libertarians and protect the right to advocacy. This forced the dismissal by Judge William C. Mathes, it was held that the indictments failed to state intent. The court then filed a second indictment of eight violations of the Smith Act and twenty-four specific acts. (2)
Advocating violence now or in the future would be irresponsible. They had to explain how the US differed from France or Italy. The French and Italian Communist Parties openly stated that if their respective countries were invaded by Soviet troops the French and Italian workers would take up arms and fight along side of the invading Soviet army. They California Communists clearly claimed that; that position did not apply to the US. The held that the US was the center of US global anticommunism and there was little support for that opinion among American workers and the job of any socialist organization in the US was education about the real nature of socialism. By making a rash statement about something like that was counterproductive. What we need to do talk about was the possibility of peace. The prosecution did not challenge this line of defense. In stead it was demanded that the defendants name the names of party members they worked with and any non-party members that may have worked along side of communists doing social service or political work. This was refused. Each refusal was a separate contempt charge. Each charge carried a separate prison sentence. Like in past trials the prosecution used past literature not current statements to explain party goals. Each of the accused was denied bail. They were all found guilty. (2)
By spring the Communist leadership accepted that a world war was on its way and that unless we change course fascism was a real possibility. Alexander Bittleman claimed the Bill of Rights was thrown away and a police state under the dictatorship of Wall Street was a real possibility. He said we should continue to defend our rights within a legal party and a self-imposed isolation would lead to irrelevancy. Robert Thompson, Benjamin Davis, Gus Hall, Henry Winston, John Williamson, John Gates and William Z. Foster advocated that some of the leaders should go underground. Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, Carl Winter, Jack Stachel, Irving Potash and Gil Green argued for only maintaining a legal Party. (2)
Second New York trial was presided over by Judge Edward Dimock who asked the prosecution for their evidence of conspiracy. Special assistant attorney general David Marks claimed that the presence of the underground proved all Communists were part of a conspiracy the Judge disagreed. Then Judge Dimock puzzled both the prosecution and the defense by ordering Simon Gerson and Isidore Begun acquitted for lack of evidence. Now Foster ordered Alexander Bittleman take the stand and represent the militant stand that is the majority of the Citizens wanted socialism and the US government introduced fascism that the majority would have the right to defend themselves. No ruling class ever leaves on their own. Bittleman now looked to developing a concept of the peaceful transition to socialism through the expansion of democracy. By working in a broad popular front for peace, civil rights, labor unions and the expansion of democracy was the way to develop socialism. January 7, 1952. Elizabeth Gurley Flynn took the stand she said the questions were theoretical and did not represent current issues. Flynn testified that always a majority had the right to defend themselves. In the worst case possibility socialism being established by democratic means and an armed minority tried to prevent this it would be the old ruling class and not the majority that resorted to violence. This was not likely in the near future and was abstract conjecture. Different situations would require different application of theory to action. Then the prosecution demanded the naming of names by Flynn and she refused. Foster was irritated. He wanted to maintain the purity of Marxism-Leninism. Many people in the Party lined up against Foster. But, Foster was public and vocal in his opposition to Bittleman. Because of this the prosecution used Foster to prove the Communists were violent revolutionaries. In her final argument defense attorney summed up that the real advocates of force and violence was big business and government. The Jury found the remaining six guilty. They were sentence to a year and a day in prison. (2)
In September the Justice Department indicted more and more Communists in Philadelphia, Cleveland, Denver, Connecticut, Boston and Puerto Rico. Truman announced he would not seek reelection but would stand by his record as an anti-communist. (2)
More arrests followed with Alex Balint of the Miner, Mill and Smelter Union, then Ferdinand Smith of the National Maritime union, Charles Doyle of the Gas, Coke and Chemical Union were all arrested and imprisoned on Ellis Island along with Gerhard Ellis all four went on a hunger strike on March 1, 1948. The Communist Party tried to rally national support and mass demonstrations in support of the prisoners. The there were more arrests including Irving Potash International Fur and Leather Workers Union. Irving Potash was released on bail. John Williamson declared before Judge William Bondy that the arrested Communists only crime was trying to protect democracy in the US from the rising tide of fascism. Judge Bondy ruled on March 6, 1949 that was entitled to bail, pending appeal to federal district court. They were found guilty. In the 1950 appeal the federal district court rejected the clear and present danger argument. But, August 1, 1950, the appeals court unanimously upheld the convictions citing the balancing test, which stated ought to agree to a deeper consideration of the complex set issues because of the gravity of the evil. Later because of Dennis vs. the United States the convictions would be upheld. Supreme Court refused to hear any more appeals until 1956, when it agreed to hear the appeal of the California defendants in Yeats vs. United States the convictions were overturned. Simply put the Government failed to prove conspiracy of any planning to take action. (3)
After the Alger Hiss case the Republicans could claim that the Truman administration had failed to protect Americans from Communist subversion at the highest levels of government. To fight back Truman would make the claim that an independent congressional investigation could not be anything, but partisan. Truman would also claim that Joe McCarthy was in fact helping Joe Stalin by undermining the needed bipartisan support necessary to create and implement a successful foreign policy to counter the international Soviet Aggression. Truman would in addition assert that his administration and not the Republicans were the experts on foreign policy and national security. By challenging or questioning Truman the Republicans only harmed efforts to stop the Communist aggression overseas and rid America of the Red Menace. Both secrecy in the operation of his loyalty programs and the confidentiality of his conduct with its particular information on implementing the details of foreign relations was absolutely essential for national security. (2)
John Stewart Service of the Foreign Service was an example of the new policies. He was an expert on the Far East and a Critic of the Nationalist Chinese. He recommended neutrality in the Chinese Civil War. Service was a friend of Philip Jaffe editor of Amerasia. Service was exposed to six loyalty checks and three loyalty hearings there was not enough to fire him on loyalty and questions standards of proof and was always cleared of any wrong doing. With the new standards he was fired in 1951. In 1957 the court overturned the previous decisions and Service was rehired to work in the State Department. (2)
Truman deployed four American divisions to NATO in Europe. To Truman this was legal because as Commander and Chief of the US military the troops were under presidential command and not accountable to congress. Using this Truman felt he could deploy troops to be used in combat in Korea without congressional approval. Congress reacted and Truman was forced to agree to secure congressional approval on the number of troops deployed in Europe. (2)
Taft supporters concentrated on Truman’s failures in national security. Truman it was argued was not man enough to meet the Soviet challenge. Then this left an opening that there were subversives at the top levels of the executive branch of government. If Truman failed in weeding out Red sympathizers in federal employment it was believable the problem went all the way to the top. The 1952 Republican campaign was built upon the failure of the Democrats to meet the on going Communist threat. By the end of the Truman years most Americans came to feel his administration was one of the worst in history, and many would be glad to see him gone. Not because of his failure to seek a diplomatic relationship through the UN, as Wallace advocated. Not because of this failure the world was locked in two deadly blocks refusing to compromise and dead set on each other’s mutual destruction. The third world anti-colonial struggles could survive only in opposition to US policies of being the protector of cruel and decaying White supremacists empires and the destruction of cherished civil liberties at home. No his failure in many American eyes was he didn’t go far enough. Eisenhower promised to clean house and to restore confidence in government. It would not be until 1955 when was the full text of Yalta was released and the possibility of peaceful coexistence was seen not only as possible, but because by design on the part of Truman diplomacy was destroyed before it ever had a chance. Eisenhower did negotiate a ceasefire in Korea and bad as he was he was an improvement over Truman. (2)
No comments:
Post a Comment