The Global Communist Reaction to the Soviet Union’s Decision to Drop The Internationale as its National Anthem

The Internationale, a song which has long symbolized the international communist movement, was adopted by the Soviet Union as its official national anthem after the October Revolution in 1917. However, by the late 1930s, the Soviet government gave a public contest for a more “appropriate” anthem. By 1944, the Internationale was officially dropped as the national anthem.

Context and Background

The decision to replace The Internationale was a significant political move that profoundly affected the global communist movement. The Internationale, originally composed in French and widely translated, was more than just a song; it was a rallying cry for workers and revolutionaries around the world. Its lyrics expressed a vision of economic and social justice, resonating deeply with the masses in various countries.

Reasons for the Anthem Change

The late 1930s saw a series of political changes and cultural policies that led to the replacement of The Internationale. This was partly due to the Stalinist purges and the emphasis on the Soviet Union as a model for the rest of the world. The government sought to modernize the image and emphasize a more nationalistic and less internationalistic approach. Additionally, there were concerns about the song's overtly revolutionary nature, which did not align with the more pragmatic policies of the time.

Global Communist Response

The global communist movement was deeply affected by this decision, but the reactions varied widely. Some branches of the movement accepted the change gracefully, acknowledging the evolving nature of their movement and the need for a more modern voice. However, others took the decision as a rejection of their beliefs and traditions.

The Impact on Communist Movements

The decision to drop The Internationale was more than just a change in symbols; it marked a shift in the nature of communist activism. In many countries, communist parties were pressured to revise their platforms and align more closely with Soviet policies. For some, this meant a decline in internationalist ideology and an increased focus on national rather than global objectives.

The Dismantling of the Third International

The dissolution of the Third International, or the Communist International (Comintern), was a more direct and traumatic outcome of these changes. Founded in 1919, the Comintern was a central organizing body of the international communist movement. Its dissolution in 1943, followed by the gradual decline of The Internationale as the anthem, marked a significant departure from the era of the most active internationalist efforts.

The Traumatizing Effects on the Communist Movement

The sudden and abrupt dissolution of the Third International, especially in the wake of World War II, sent shockwaves through the global communist movement. The loss of a central organization and a collective identity was a profound blow, leading to fragmentation and a period of adjustment. Many members of the communist parties around the world felt a loss of purpose and direction, as the shared ideological vision that had previously guided them was now in question.

Concluding Insights

The decision to drop The Internationale and the subsequent dissolution of the Third International were events that transformed the nature of the global communist movement. While these changes marked a retreat from the heights of internationalism, they also paved the way for the evolution and adaptation of communist ideologies to new political realities. Today, these events serve as a historical reminder of the complex dynamics within the communist movement and the impacts of political and cultural shifts on global activism and ideology.