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{{Infobox political party
⚫
| name = Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist)
| colorcode = {{party color|Communist Party USA}}
| leader = [[Michael Klonsky]]
| founded = June 1977
| dissolved = 1982<ref>{{cite news |title=Lessons from the Collapse of the Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist) |first=Carl |last=Davidson |newspaper=Forward |publisher=[[Marxists Internet Archive]] |number=4 |date=January 1985 |url=https://www.marxists.org/history/erol/ncm-7/davidson-cp.htm |url-status=live |archive-date=October 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017052125/https://www.marxists.org/history/erol/ncm-7/davidson-cp.htm |access-date=May 1, 2023 }}</ref>
| ideology = [[New Communist Movement]]<ref>{{cite book |first1=Janja |last1=Lalich |author-link=Janja Lalich |title=Bounded Choice: True Believers and Charismatic Cults |title-link=Bounded Choice |year=2004 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-24018-6}}</ref><br>[[Maoism]]<br>[[Anti-Revisionism]]
| youth_wing = Communist Youth Organization
| position = [[Far-left]]
| country = United States
}}
{{Maoism sidebar}}
{{Maoism sidebar}}

The '''Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist)''' was a [[Maoist]] [[political party]] in the [[United States]].
The '''Communist Party (Marxist–Leninist)''' was a [[Maoist]] [[political party]] in the United States.


== History ==
== History ==


=== The October League ===
The Communist Party (Marxist–Leninist)'s predecessor organization, the '''October League (Marxist-Leninist)''', was founded in 1971 by several local groups, many of which had grown out of the radical student organization [[Students for a Democratic Society (1960 organization)|Students for a Democratic Society]] when SDS split apart in 1969. [[Michael Klonsky]], who had been a national leader in SDS in the late 1960s, was the main leader of the CP(M-L).<ref>Chronology of Political Events, 1954-1992, [http://www.revolutionintheair.com/chron/chron4.html Part Four 1975-1980.] Max Elbaum. Retrieved from Revolution In The Air: Sixties Radicals Turn to Lenin, Mao and Che, March 18, 2010. "1977 August 12–18: Eleventh Congress of the [[Chinese Communist Party]]. Mao and the [[Cultural Revolution]] are given positive assessments but the Congress officially declares the Cultural Revolution ended. That same month, CPC chair [[Hua Guofeng]] and U.S. CP(M-L) chair Mike Klonsky exchange toasts at banquet for CP(M-L) leaders in Beijing; this is effective recognition of the CP(M-L) as the semi-official pro-China party in the U.S."</ref>
The Communist Party (Marxist–Leninist)'s predecessor organization, the '''October League (Marxist–Leninist)''', was founded in 1971 by several local groups, many of which had grown out of the radical student organization [[Students for a Democratic Society (1960 organization)|Students for a Democratic Society]] when SDS split apart in 1969. [[Michael Klonsky]], who had been a national leader in SDS in the late 1960s, was the main leader of the CP(M-L).<ref>Chronology of Political Events, 1954–1992, [http://www.revolutionintheair.com/chron/chron4.html Part Four 1975–1980.] Max Elbaum. Retrieved from Revolution In The Air: Sixties Radicals Turn to Lenin, Mao and Che, March 18, 2010. "1977 August 12–18: Eleventh Congress of the [[Chinese Communist Party]]. Mao and the [[Cultural Revolution]] are given positive assessments but the Congress officially declares the Cultural Revolution ended. That same month, CPC chair [[Hua Guofeng]] and U.S. CP(M-L) chair Mike Klonsky exchange toasts at banquet for CP(M-L) leaders in Beijing; this is effective recognition of the CP(M-L) as the semi-official pro-China party in the U.S."</ref>


The October League came out of the [[Revolutionary Youth Movement II]] grouping in the SDS split. During the early 1970s the OL took positions that were at odds with most of the US Left including opposition to [[Gay Liberation|Gay liberation]] and support of the [[Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi|Shah of Iran]], whose regime they saw as a bulwark against Soviet [[social-imperialism]].<ref>Alexander, Robert J. ''Maoism in the developed world''Westport, Conn. Prager 2001 p.31</ref> The OL established influence within some of the established [[Civil Rights Movement in the United States|civil rights organizations]], including the [[Southern Christian Leadership Conference]] and the [[Southern Conference Educational Fund]], which had been under the influence of the Moscow oriented [[Communist Party USA]]. In late 1975 they organized a "National Fight Back Conference" which drew 1,000 participants and was attended by representatives of the [[August 29th Movement]], the [[Congress of Afrikan People]] and the [[Marxist-Leninist Organizing Committee of San Francisco]]. They also had a youth group called the Communist Youth Organization.<ref>Alexander, p.32</ref>
The October League came out of the [[Revolutionary Youth Movement II]] grouping in the SDS split. During the early 1970s the OL took positions that were at odds with most of the US Left, including opposition to [[gay liberation]] and support of the [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi|shah of Iran]], whose regime they saw as a bulwark against Soviet [[social-imperialism]].<ref>Alexander, Robert J. ''Maoism in the developed world'' Westport, Conn. Prager 2001 p.31</ref>


The OL established influence within some of the established [[civil and political rights|civil rights organizations]], including the [[Southern Christian Leadership Conference]] and the [[Southern Conference Educational Fund]], which had been under the influence of the Moscow-oriented [[Communist Party USA]].
⚫
In June 1977, the October League transformed itself into the Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist), with Klonsky as chairman and [[Eileen Klehr]] as vice-chairman. The CP(ML) was recognized by the [[Communist Party of China]] as their de facto [[fraternal party]] in the US. Klonsky and Klehr visited [[Peking]] in July 1977 and met with [[Hua Guofeng]]. Longtime Black communist [[Harry Haywood]] who had become a CP(M-L) member, also visited met with Chinese leader in June 1978.<ref>Alexander, p.32</ref> Also in 1978 Daniel Burstein, the editor of the CP(ML) central organ ''The Call'', and three others, made an eight-day tour of [[Khmer Rouge]] ruled [[Cambodia under Pol Pot|Cambodia]], then a Chinese ally. He visited [[Phnom Penh]] as wall as [[Siem Reap Province|Siem Reap]], [[Kampong Thom Province|Kompong Thom]], [[Kampong Cham Province|Kompong Cham]] and [[Takéo Province|Takéo]] [[Provinces of Cambodia|provinces]] and had an interview with [[Ieng Sary]]. In an op-ed he wrote in the ''[[New York Times]]'' he claimed that there was no evidence of genocide, claiming that that was part of a propaganda campaign orchestrated by the régime's enemies. He did concede, however:


In late 1975 they organized a "National Fight Back Conference", which drew 1,000 participants and was attended by representatives of the [[August 29th Movement]], the [[Congress of Afrikan People]] and the [[Marxist–Leninist Organizing Committee of San Francisco]]. They also had a youth group called the Communist Youth Organization.<ref name=":0">Alexander, p.32</ref>
⚫
<blockquote>The new government has had to deal with many forces that oppose the revolution -- former Lon Nol officials, as well as organized networks of American, Russian and Vietnamese agents trying to overthrow the Government. Such sabotage has undoubtedly been met with violent suppression. In the course of this, there may even have been some excesses, which no revolution is immune to.<ref>Daniel Burstein. (1978, November 21). On Cambodia: But, Yet. New York Times (1923-Current file),A21. Retrieved April 3, 2011, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 - 2007). (Document ID: 120965532).</ref></blockquote>


=== The Communist Party (Marxist–Leninist) ===
⚫
In early 1980 the CP(ML) condemned the [[Soviet war in Afghanistan|Soviet invasion of Afghanistan]] and called on President Carter to give aid to the Afghan forces opposing the Soviets, end its arms embargo on China and refrain from selling the USSR any "[[strategic material]]s". They also saw the [[Mariel boatlift|Mariel exodus]] as evidence that the USSR and Castro had "betrayed" the [[Cuban Revolution]].<ref>Alexander, pp.32-33</ref>
In June 1977, the October League transformed itself into the Communist Party (Marxist–Leninist), with Klonsky as chairman and [[Eileen Klehr]] as vice-chairman.


The CP (ML) supported the Chinese government's purge of the [[Gang of Four]].<ref name=":0" /> It was subsequently recognized by the [[Communist Party of China]] as their de facto [[fraternal party]] in the US. Klonsky and Klehr visited [[Peking]] in July 1977 and met with [[Hua Guofeng]]. Longtime Black communist [[Harry Haywood]], who had become a CP(M-L) member, also visited with Chinese leaders in June 1978.<ref name=":0"/>
⚫
== Further reading ==
⚫
*[http://marxists.anu.edu.au/history/erol/ncm-3/pul-ol.htm ''On the October League's Call for a New Communist Party: A Response by the Proletarian Unity League.''] New York : United Labor Press, 1976


⚫
In 1978, Daniel Burstein, the editor of the CP (ML) central organ ''The Call'', and three others made an eight-day tour of [[Khmer Rouge]]-ruled [[Cambodia under Pol Pot|Cambodia]], then a Chinese ally. He visited [[Phnom Penh]] as well as [[Siem Reap Province|Siem Reap]], [[Kampong Thom Province|Kompong Thom]], [[Kampong Cham Province|Kompong Cham]] and [[Takéo Province|Takéo]] [[Provinces of Cambodia|provinces]] and had an interview with [[Ieng Sary]]. In an op-ed he wrote in ''[[The New York Times]]'' he claimed that there was no evidence of genocide, claiming that that was part of a propaganda campaign orchestrated by the regime's enemies. He did concede, however:
==See also==
⚫
* [[Communist Party USA (Marxist-Leninist)]]


⚫
<blockquote>The new government has had to deal with many forces that oppose the revolution—former Lon Nol officials, as well as organized networks of American, Russian and Vietnamese agents trying to overthrow the Government. Such sabotage has undoubtedly been met with violent suppression. In the course of this, there may even have been some excesses, which no revolution is immune to.<ref>{{cite news|author=Daniel Burstein|date=November 21, 1978|title=On Cambodia: But, Yet|work=The New York Times|page=A21|id={{ProQuest|120965532}}}}.</ref></blockquote>
⚫
==Footnotes==

⚫
{{reflist|2}}
⚫
In early 1980, the CP (ML) condemned the [[Soviet–Afghan War|Soviet invasion of Afghanistan]] and called on President Carter to give aid to the Afghan forces opposing the Soviets, end its arms embargo on China and refrain from selling the USSR any "[[strategic material]]s".

The CP (ML) also claimed the [[Mariel boatlift|Mariel exodus]] was evidence that the USSR and [[Fidel Castro]] had "betrayed" the [[Cuban Revolution]].<ref>Alexander, pp.32–33</ref>

⚫
== Further reading ==
⚫
*[http://marxists.anu.edu.au/history/erol/ncm-3/pul-ol.htm ''On the October League's Call for a New Communist Party: A Response by the Proletarian Unity League''.] New York: United Labor Press, 1976

⚫
== Footnotes ==
⚫
{{Reflist|2}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
*[http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xex9un_wildcat-at-mead_shortfilms ''Wildcat at Mead''] a film produced by the October League
* [http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xex9un_wildcat-at-mead_shortfilms ''Wildcat at Mead''] a film produced by the October League
*[http://marxists.anu.edu.au/history/erol/ncm-3/davidson-cp.htm Lessons from the Collapse of the Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist)] by [[Carl Davidson]]
* [http://marxists.anu.edu.au/history/erol/ncm-3/davidson-cp.htm Lessons from the Collapse of the Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist)] by [[Carl Davidson]]

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist) (United States)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist) (United States)}}
[[Category:Political parties established in 1977]]
[[Category:1977 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct communist parties in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct communist parties in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct Marxist-Leninist parties in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct Marxist–Leninist parties in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct Maoist parties in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct Maoist parties in the United States]]
[[Category:Homophobia]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 1977]]
[[Category:Southern Conference Educational Fund]]
[[Category:Organizations that oppose LGBTQ rights in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 22:51, 23 September 2024

Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist)
LeaderMichael Klonsky
FoundedJune 1977
Dissolved1982[1]
Youth wingCommunist Youth Organization
IdeologyNew Communist Movement[2]
Maoism
Anti-Revisionism
Political positionFar-left
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The Communist Party (Marxist–Leninist) was a Maoist political party in the United States.

History

[edit]

The October League

[edit]

The Communist Party (Marxist–Leninist)'s predecessor organization, the October League (Marxist–Leninist), was founded in 1971 by several local groups, many of which had grown out of the radical student organization Students for a Democratic Society when SDS split apart in 1969. Michael Klonsky, who had been a national leader in SDS in the late 1960s, was the main leader of the CP(M-L).[3]

The October League came out of the Revolutionary Youth Movement II grouping in the SDS split. During the early 1970s the OL took positions that were at odds with most of the US Left, including opposition to gay liberation and support of the shah of Iran, whose regime they saw as a bulwark against Soviet social-imperialism.[4]

The OL established influence within some of the established civil rights organizations, including the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Southern Conference Educational Fund, which had been under the influence of the Moscow-oriented Communist Party USA.

In late 1975 they organized a "National Fight Back Conference", which drew 1,000 participants and was attended by representatives of the August 29th Movement, the Congress of Afrikan People and the Marxist–Leninist Organizing Committee of San Francisco. They also had a youth group called the Communist Youth Organization.[5]

The Communist Party (Marxist–Leninist)

[edit]

In June 1977, the October League transformed itself into the Communist Party (Marxist–Leninist), with Klonsky as chairman and Eileen Klehr as vice-chairman.

The CP (ML) supported the Chinese government's purge of the Gang of Four.[5] It was subsequently recognized by the Communist Party of China as their de facto fraternal party in the US. Klonsky and Klehr visited Peking in July 1977 and met with Hua Guofeng. Longtime Black communist Harry Haywood, who had become a CP(M-L) member, also visited with Chinese leaders in June 1978.[5]

In 1978, Daniel Burstein, the editor of the CP (ML) central organ The Call, and three others made an eight-day tour of Khmer Rouge-ruled Cambodia, then a Chinese ally. He visited Phnom Penh as well as Siem Reap, Kompong Thom, Kompong Cham and Takéo provinces and had an interview with Ieng Sary. In an op-ed he wrote in The New York Times he claimed that there was no evidence of genocide, claiming that that was part of a propaganda campaign orchestrated by the regime's enemies. He did concede, however:

The new government has had to deal with many forces that oppose the revolution—former Lon Nol officials, as well as organized networks of American, Russian and Vietnamese agents trying to overthrow the Government. Such sabotage has undoubtedly been met with violent suppression. In the course of this, there may even have been some excesses, which no revolution is immune to.[6]

In early 1980, the CP (ML) condemned the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and called on President Carter to give aid to the Afghan forces opposing the Soviets, end its arms embargo on China and refrain from selling the USSR any "strategic materials".

The CP (ML) also claimed the Mariel exodus was evidence that the USSR and Fidel Castro had "betrayed" the Cuban Revolution.[7]

Further reading

[edit]

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ Davidson, Carl (January 1985). "Lessons from the Collapse of the Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist)". Forward. No. 4. Marxists Internet Archive. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  2. ^ Lalich, Janja (2004). Bounded Choice: True Believers and Charismatic Cults. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-24018-6.
  3. ^ Chronology of Political Events, 1954–1992, Part Four 1975–1980. Max Elbaum. Retrieved from Revolution In The Air: Sixties Radicals Turn to Lenin, Mao and Che, March 18, 2010. "1977 August 12–18: Eleventh Congress of the Chinese Communist Party. Mao and the Cultural Revolution are given positive assessments but the Congress officially declares the Cultural Revolution ended. That same month, CPC chair Hua Guofeng and U.S. CP(M-L) chair Mike Klonsky exchange toasts at banquet for CP(M-L) leaders in Beijing; this is effective recognition of the CP(M-L) as the semi-official pro-China party in the U.S."
  4. ^ Alexander, Robert J. Maoism in the developed world Westport, Conn. Prager 2001 p.31
  5. ^ a b c Alexander, p.32
  6. ^ Daniel Burstein (November 21, 1978). "On Cambodia: But, Yet". The New York Times. p. A21. ProQuest 120965532..
  7. ^ Alexander, pp.32–33
[edit]
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