Communist Party USA facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Communist Party USA
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| Presidium | National Convention |
| Co-chairs | Joe Sims Rossana Cambron |
| Founder | C. E. Ruthenberg |
| Founded | September 1, 1919 |
| Merger of | Communist Party of America Communist Labor Party of America |
| Split from | Socialist Party of America |
| Headquarters | 235 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011, Manhattan, New York |
| Newspaper | People's World |
| Youth wing | Young Communist League |
| Membership (2024 est.) | 20,000 |
| Ideology |
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| Political position | Far-left |
| International affiliation | IMCWP (since 1998) Comintern (until 1943) |
| Colors | Red |
| Slogan | "People and Planet Before Profits" |
| Party flag | |
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The Communist Party USA, also known as the American Communist Party, is a political party in the United States. It was started in 1919 after a group split from the Socialist Party of America. This happened after the Russian Revolution, which was a big event in Russia.
The CPUSA's story is connected to the American labor movement and communist parties around the world. At first, the party had to operate secretly because of government actions like the Palmer Raids. These raids happened during a time called the First Red Scare, when people were very worried about communism.
In the early 1900s, the party became important in American politics. It played a big part in the labor movement from the 1920s to the 1940s. For example, it helped create the Congress of Industrial Organizations, a major group for workers. The CPUSA was also one of the first groups to speak out strongly against racism and racial segregation. They even helped defend the Scottsboro Boys in 1931, who were a group of young Black men wrongly accused of a crime.
The party was most influential during the Great Depression. It helped organize workers and unemployed people to support new government programs like Social Security and the Works Progress Administration. These programs helped many Americans during tough times.
During World War II, the U.S. became allies with the Soviet Union. This helped the CPUSA gain more influence, with about 70,000 members. Under leader Earl Browder, the party supported President Franklin D. Roosevelt. They even called communism "20th Century Americanism." The party hoped to become a regular part of American politics after the war. In 1944, it changed its name to the 'Communist Political Association.'
However, when the Cold War started, the party struggled. It changed back to the Communist Party but lost influence because of McCarthyism, also known as the Second Red Scare. Many Americans became suspicious of communism. The party's ideas, like opposing the Marshall Plan, didn't gain much support. Its chosen candidate, Henry A. Wallace, did not do well in the 1948 election.
The party faced more problems in 1956 when Nikita Khrushchev in the Soviet Union criticized Joseph Stalin. Many members left, and the party became very small. It was also seen as too supportive of the Soviet Union by other left-wing groups in America. The CPUSA used to get a lot of money from the Soviet Union. They also made their public views match those of Moscow. This funding stopped in 1991 when the Soviet Union changed.
Contents
A Look at the Party's History
In the first half of the 1900s, the Communist Party played a role in many important struggles. Some historians say the party was both connected to a harsh regime (the Soviet Union) and a very active group on the American Left in the 1930s and 1940s. It was also the first political party in the U.S. to be fully racially integrated, meaning people of all races could join.
By August 1919, just months after it started, the Communist Party said it had between 50,000 and 60,000 members. This included anarchists and other radical leftists. At that time, the older and less extreme Socialist Party of America had fewer members. The Communist Party also had groups called the International Workers Order (IWO). These groups helped members from different language and ethnic backgrounds. They offered support and cultural activities, and the IWO had up to 200,000 members at its peak.
The Great Depression and Growing Support
During the Great Depression, many Americans were drawn to the Communist Party. They liked how active the party was in helping people. This included fighting for the rights of African Americans, workers, and the unemployed. The party was very important in bringing back strong labor unions in the 1930s.
Others were worried about the rise of fascism in Spain and Germany. They admired the Soviet Union's early and strong opposition to these movements. Because of this, party membership grew from 7,500 at the start of the decade to 55,000 by its end.
Party members also helped the Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). This war started when a nationalist military group tried to take over. The Communist Party of the Soviet Union and other left-wing groups worldwide raised money for medical help. Many party members even went to Spain to join the Lincoln Brigade, a group of international fighters.
The Communist Party strongly opposed fascism during a time called the Popular Front period. Party membership grew to about 66,000 by 1939. However, nearly 20,000 members left the party by 1943.
After Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, the Communist Party received a message from Moscow. This message criticized the Polish government. The party then changed its focus from fighting fascism to promoting peace and opposing military actions. They used slogans like "The Yanks Are Not Coming" and "Hands Off." They even held a "perpetual peace vigil" near the White House.
This policy changed again after Germany attacked the Soviet Union in June 1941. The party then supported the fight against Germany.
Challenges and Changes
The Communist Party's early successes in labor and organizing did not last. Over the years, the party became weaker. This was due to McCarthyism (the Second Red Scare) and Nikita Khrushchev's "Secret Speech" in 1956. In this speech, Khrushchev criticized Joseph Stalin's rule. The ongoing Cold War also hurt the party.
Most Americans saw the party as a threat because of its strong ties to the Soviet Union. They believed the party was a foreign agent with ideas that were dangerous to the American way of life. By 1957, membership dropped to less than 10,000. Many members left or changed their political views. The party was also banned by the Communist Control Act of 1954, though this law was not always enforced.
The party tried to recover by opposing the Vietnam War in the 1960s. This was during the civil rights movement. However, its continued support for the Soviet Union made it seem old-fashioned and out of touch to other left-wing groups in the U.S. Also, the party's members were getting older, which distanced it from the New Left, a younger movement.
In the mid-1980s, Mikhail Gorbachev tried to change the Soviet system. This caused the Communist Party to become separated from the Soviet Union's leadership. In 1989, the Soviet Communist Party stopped giving money to the American party. This was because the American party opposed Gorbachev's changes.
When the dissolution of the Soviet Union happened in 1991, the party held a meeting. They discussed whether to stop following Marxism–Leninism. The majority decided to keep their Marxist views. A smaller group, who wanted more democratic socialism, left the party. The party now follows Marxism–Leninism. In 2014, their new constitution said they apply the "scientific outlook developed by Marx, Engels, Lenin and others" to American history and culture.
The Communist Party is based in New York City. For many years, it published newspapers like Morgen Freiheit (in Yiddish) and People's World. Today, People's World is an online-only publication. The party no longer officially funds it. The party's former magazine, Political Affairs, is also online. The party still has a publishing house called International Publishers.
In 2014, the party held its 30th National Convention in Chicago. In 2019, they celebrated their 100th year. In 2021, the party announced it would run candidates in elections again. This was after not doing so for over thirty years.
What the Party Believes
Party Goals and Principles
The Communist Party follows a principle called democratic centralism. This means that decisions are made by the group, and once a decision is made, everyone follows it. The highest authority in the party is the National Convention, which happens every four years.
The party's constitution states that it fights for:
- Unity among workers.
- Against all forms of national oppression and discrimination.
- Against racist ideas and practices.
- Against discrimination against women.
- Against discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.
The party's "Immediate Program" includes goals like:
- A $15/hour minimum wage for all workers.
- National universal health care.
- Opposing the privatization of Social Security.
- Increased taxes on "the rich and corporations."
- Strong rules for the financial industry.
- Public ownership of utilities.
- More federal help for cities and states.
- Opposing wars and military actions.
- Opposing free trade agreements like NAFTA.
- Nuclear disarmament and a smaller military budget.
- Various civil rights protections.
- Changes to how political campaigns are funded.
- Changes to election law, like instant runoff voting.
Bill of Rights Socialism
The Communist Party sees socialism as a way to expand American democracy. They want to build socialism in the U.S. based on American history and struggles. They call their idea "Bill of Rights Socialism." This would guarantee all the freedoms Americans have already won. It would also add new freedoms, like freedom from unemployment, poverty, illiteracy, discrimination, and oppression.
The party explains that socialism would not take away personal private property from workers. Instead, it would only change who owns major industries, banks, and large corporations. It would also limit the extreme wealth of the super-rich.
They believe that building socialism would mean stopping private wealth from things like stock speculation and owning large corporations. It would also stop the practice of moving jobs overseas to find the lowest wages.
Improving Living Standards
A main concern for the Communist Party is the problem of people not having jobs, having too few hours, or not feeling secure in their jobs. They believe these problems come from the capitalist economy, which focuses on making profits.
They say that millions of workers are unemployed or insecure in their jobs, even when the economy is doing well. Most workers have seen their wages stay the same or go down, while health and education costs go up. Many workers have to work multiple jobs to earn enough money. They also believe that companies move jobs to other countries to find cheaper labor.
The Communist Party believes that "class struggle" starts with fighting for better wages, hours, benefits, and job security. But it also includes many other ways of fighting, like protests, strikes, and working for laws that help workers. They believe that any worker who fights to improve their life is part of this struggle.
Views on Imperialism and War
The Communist Party believes that U.S. foreign policy, especially from conservative groups, often serves the interests of large companies. They think the government acts to help one part of the capitalist class control everything.
They believe that conservative leaders have "demonized" (made look evil) countries that oppose the U.S. They also say these leaders secretly funded wars and gave weapons to dictators. The party believes these actions were done to test new military equipment and reduce opposition to U.S. military actions.
From their point of view, imperialism is the highest stage of capitalism. They believe the government makes up "phony reasons" for economically driven actions. These actions are meant to help the financial interests of big businesses.
The Communist Party opposes foreign policy ideas like the Bush Doctrine. This idea says the U.S. has the right to attack any country it wants and fight endless wars. The party believes that if international groups like the United Nations do not support U.S. policies, they are ignored.
The party highlights that many Americans opposed the Iraq War. They note that thousands of peace groups were formed by ordinary Americans. There were many protests, vigils, and newspaper ads. The largest demonstrations since the Vietnam War took place. Many city councils and unions also passed anti-war resolutions.
The party has always opposed U.S. involvement in the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the First Gulf War, and the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan after September 11. The Communist Party does not believe that war can solve the threat of terrorism.
Women and Minorities
The Communist Party's constitution says that the U.S. working class includes people of all races, genders, ages, sexual orientations, and backgrounds. This includes both employed and unemployed people, and those in unions and not in unions.
The party wants equal rights for women, equal pay, and protection for reproductive rights. They also want to end sexism. The party has a Women's Equality Commission. This group believes women are important in building socialism.
Historically, the Communist Party was one of the first groups to fight for African Americans' rights. They played a big role in protesting lynchings in the South. Today, the party calls racism the "classic divide-and-conquer tactic." This means it's used to split people up. The party has been involved in local activism in African American communities like Harlem. They also helped found groups like the Black Radical Congress.
The party was also important in organizing Mexican American workers in the Southwest in the 1930s. They see Latino working-class people as another group facing racism and discrimination. They believe Latino voters are essential for left-wing progress.
The Communist Party believes that discrimination hurts everyone, not just minorities. They say it stops workers from uniting and helps the capitalist class make more money. The party supports ending racial profiling and continuing to enforce civil rights laws and affirmative action.
Where the Party Found Support
The Communist Party did not have widespread support across the whole country. Instead, its support was strong in specific communities at different times. This depended on where they focused their organizing efforts.
Before World War II, the party had steady support in cities like New York City, Chicago, and St. Louis County, Minnesota. But sometimes, they also had strong support in rural areas. For example, in Sheridan County, Montana, they received 22% of the vote in the 1932 presidential election.
Even in the South, where Jim Crow laws limited Black people's rights, the Communist Party had a presence in Alabama. They gained 8% of the votes in rural Elmore County. This was mainly because they successfully organized both Black and white sharecroppers through the Sharecroppers' Union.
Unlike other large groups, the Communist Party was a strict organization. It demanded strong commitment from its members and often expelled people. Membership was below 20,000 until 1933. Then it grew in the late 1930s, reaching 66,000 in 1939. Its highest membership was over 75,000 in 1947.
The party ran candidates in presidential and many local elections. They didn't expect to win, but they wanted loyal supporters to vote for them. They ran energetic campaigns in presidential elections from 1924 to 1940. They also ran in many governor and congressional races from 1922 to 1944.
The Communist Party divided the country into districts for organizing. These districts did not always follow state lines.
How the Party Worked with Other Groups
The Labor Movement
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Since it started, the Communist Party has tried to be active in the labor movement. They wanted to build a large movement of American workers to achieve their goals through a socialist revolution.
Soviet Funding and Information Sharing
From 1959 to 1989, the Communist Party received a lot of money from the Soviet Union. This funding was a large amount, reflecting the party's loyalty to Moscow's views. From the Communist point of view, this was "fraternal assistance" between allies. From an anti-Communist point of view, it was interference by one country in another's affairs. When the funding stopped in 1989, the party faced financial problems.
Some people believe that Communist Party members helped the Soviet Union with intelligence activities. For example, some sources suggest that a secret part of the Communist Party helped Soviet intelligence.
In 1943, Joseph Stalin publicly ended the Comintern, an international communist organization. However, Soviet messages showed instructions for handling intelligence sources within the Communist Party even after this.
Decrypted Soviet messages from World War II, known as the Venona cables, suggest that some individuals shared information with the Soviets. For example, Julius Rosenberg was believed to be involved in sharing information. Theodore Hall, a physicist, also shared information about the atomic bomb with the Soviets.
Opponents of the Communist Party, like J. Edgar Hoover and Joseph McCarthy, believed the party was a secret group loyal to a foreign power. They thought its members helped Soviet intelligence secretly get into the American government. This view is supported by some historians and information from Soviet archives.
In 1950, the U.S. Congress stated that the Communist Party was "an instrumentality of a conspiracy to overthrow the Government of the United States." They believed it was controlled by foreign leaders and aimed to destroy the U.S. government.
In 1993, experts copied secret party records from Moscow. These records showed a clear link between Soviet intelligence and information obtained by the Communist Party in the U.S. government from the 1920s to the 1940s. Some documents showed that the party actively recruited members from African American groups and rural farm workers. Other records showed that some officials in the State Department, who supported the party, shared confidential letters with Soviet intelligence.
Counterintelligence Efforts
In 1952, two high-ranking officials in the American Communist Party, Jack and Morris Childs, became informants for the FBI. They were known as SOLO. They reported on the CPUSA and monitored Soviet funding throughout the Cold War. They even traveled to Moscow and Beijing to meet Soviet and Chinese leaders. Both received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1987 for their work. Morris's son said the CIA was surprised by the information the FBI had because the American Communist Party had direct links to the Kremlin.
African Americans and the Party
The Communist Party played a role in defending the rights of African Americans in the 1930s and 1940s. The Alabama Chapter of the Communist Party USA helped organize unemployed Black workers and the Alabama Sharecroppers' Union. They also led many campaigns against lynchings. The Alabama chapter organized young activists who later became important in the civil rights movement, like Rosa Parks.
Throughout its history, several of the party's leaders and thinkers have been African Americans. James Ford, Charlene Mitchell, Angela Davis, and Jarvis Tyner (the current executive vice chair) all ran as presidential or vice presidential candidates for the party. Other African American thinkers, artists, and writers were once members or supporters of the party. The Communist Party also had a close alliance with Harlem Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr..
Gay Rights Movement
Harry Hay developed his political views as an active member of the Communist Party. In the early 1950s, Hay founded the Mattachine Society, one of America's first gay rights organizations. However, at that time, the party did not officially support gay rights. Many party members saw homosexuality as something connected to fascism. Hay was eventually expelled from the party.
In 2004, the editors of Political Affairs published articles where they admitted the party's early views on gay and lesbian rights were wrong. They praised Hay's work. The Communist Party officially supported LGBT rights in a 2005 statement and again in 2006.
The Peace Movement
The Communist Party opposed the United States' involvement in the early parts of World War II (until June 1941, when Germany invaded the Soviet Union). They also opposed the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the invasion of Grenada, and American support for military dictatorships in Central America.
However, some in the peace movement and the New Left did not like the Communist Party. They saw the party as too rigid and too closely tied to the Soviet Union.
The Communist Party consistently opposed the U.S. war in Iraq from 2003 to 2011. The New York branch of the Communist Party is a member of United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ), a peace group.
Party Leaders
| Name | Period | Title |
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| Charles Ruthenberg | 1919–1927 | Executive Secretary |
| William Z. Foster | 1929–1934; 1945–1957 | Party Chairman |
| Earl Browder | 1934–1945 | Party Chairman |
| Eugene Dennis | 1945–1959 | General Secretary |
| Gus Hall | 1959–2000 | General Secretary |
| Sam Webb | 2000–2014 | Chairman |
| John Bachtell | 2014–2019 | Chairman |
| Rossana Cambron | 2019–present | Co-chair |
| Joe Sims | 2019–present | Co-chair |
Notable Party Members
| Name | Years Active | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Angela Davis | 1969–1991 | A supporter of the Communist Party until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. She later helped create the Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism, which promotes democratic socialism. |
| Dorothy Ray Healey | 1920s–1973 | An early supporter who became unhappy with the party's leadership. She also disagreed with the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. She left the party and joined a new-left activism group. |
| Elizabeth Benson | 1939–1968 | A very talented organizer. She moved to Houston at age 22 to organize for the party. She is known for leading organizing efforts in Texas in 1939, where 5,000 people protested at a convention. |
| Emma Tenayuca | 1936–1939(?) | An American labor leader and union organizer. She is best known for organizing Mexican workers in Texas in the 1930s, especially leading the 1938 San Antonio pecan shellers strike. |
| Richard Durham | 1940s | Creator and writer of the Destination Freedom radio series. He was a party member while writing for several newspapers. |
| Tupac Shakur | ? | Known for his career as a rapper and actor. He was a member of the Young Communist League in Baltimore. He found the party's ideas appealing because he grew up in poverty. |
Images for kids
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Communist Party USA logo
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The flag of the Communist Party USA
See also
In Spanish: Partido Comunista de los Estados Unidos para niños
- English-language press of the Communist Party USA
- Young Communist League USA
