Red Chicago: American Communism at its Grassroots, 1928-35

The Working Class in American History

by Randi Storch

Realities of the street-level American Communist experience during the worst years of the Depression Red Chicago is a social history of American Communism set within the context of Chicago's neighborhoods, industries, and radical traditions. Using local party records, oral histories, union records, party newspapers, and government documents, Randi Storch fills the gap between Leninist principles and the day-to-day activities of Chicago's rank-and-file Communists.

Uncovering rich new evidence from Moscow's former party archive, Storch argues that although the American Communist Party was an international organization strongly influenced by the Soviet Union, at the city level it was a more vibrant and flexible organization responsible to local needs and concerns. Thus, while working for a better welfare system, fairer unions, and racial equality, Chicago's Communists created a movement that at times departed from international party leaders' intentions. By focusing on the experience of Chicago's Communists, who included a large working-class, African American, and ethnic population, this study reexamines party members' actions as an integral part of the communities in which they lived and the industries where they worked.

A volume in the series The Working Class in American History, edited by David Brody, Alice Kessler-Harris, David Montgomery, and Sean Wilentz

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Class Issues, American History, Politics, Labor

320 pages, Hardcover

First published November 12, 2007

Reviews

[KCML · Rating 4 out of 5]

An in depth look at the Communist Party, USA during the Third Period(1928-1935) in Chicago, where a third of it's members resided. The Party's successes could be measured in its high black participation based on it's correct stand on segregation, lynching and the national question. It's weakness in this period came from the lack of women in the party(10% overall), disproportionate amount of intellectuals and unemployed in the party, lack of union representation, and rabid sectarianism. The Party exists today but as a moribund and opportunistic non-entity(much like today's many "Communist" Parties) currently led by the Sam Webb clique, a Neo-Browderite.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat academic, but absolutely fascinating account of the Communist Party and its activities with a focus on Chicago in the early years of the Depression.

The author demonstrates that the local Party was relatively independent and did not always follow the line as articulated by the USSR, that the Party anticipated the Popular Front policy by several years, and she fleshes out the difficulties the Party had organizing industrial workers.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good history of the local Communist movement in Chicago, focused on the CPUSA during the Comintern's infamous "Third Period." Storch argues that the Comintern was seemingly unable to actually enforce policies that were laid out by Third Period policy, and that the Chicago branch of the Party was independent enough and close enough to actual conditions that they conditionally chose when to use Third Period tactics or the sorts of broad coalition tactics that would define the later Popular Front period.

Storch's argument is sound, but relies too heavily on an idea that the Comintern was inherently wrong or forcing decisions upon the CPUSA. Of course, much of the Third Period was a dogmatic implementation of sectarian policy, but in the US at the very least, this often translated to positive developments in the Comintern enforcing progressive policy on an otherwise prejudiced and unwilling white leadership (especially in the South). Aside from relying on this to make a point as well as some strange shots towards Stalin and "Stalinism" towards the beginning of the book that felt out of place, this is a good work to look at the local dynamics and history of one of the strongest branches of the CPUSA in its golden age, as well as the mistakes and achievements they made.

[Bill Baar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book if you're interested in Chicago and leftist politics. Storch's premis on the Americaness of the party a little questionable considering she used Moscow archives (what other US party has it's archives overseas?), or that a key figure in the history: Bill Gebert, returned to Communist Poland after WW2 probaby to avoid spy charges here in the US. A good read though of the party's work in Chicago. The struggle to get the language federations into the party line. The work in the African American community, and the trade union bouncing around between the TUUL and working within the existing union structures. Would have appreciated more insights on the people rather than their work. An example Storch's comment that most party members kept their family and kids out of Party activity. Worth a purchase if you interested in Chicago and the CP.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

An account of the Communist Party in Chicago during its hayday of the 1930s. Personal accounts of party activists and excerpts from party materials from the time make up the content with stories mostly of struggles for civil rights and unionization during the Great Depression.

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my favorite books of the year. folks should read this.