| Title: |
Reappraising American Communism and the Cold War. |
| Authors: |
Klehr, Harvey; Haynes, John Earl; Arnesen, Eric; Isserman, Maurice |
| Source: |
Journal of Cold War Studies; Spring2025, Vol. 27 Issue 2, p255-279, 25p |
| Subject Terms: |
HISTORY of communism; POLITICAL persecution; SPANISH Civil War, 1936-1939; HOLOCAUST denial; GREAT Depression, 1929-1939; ELECTRONIC textbooks; INTEGRITY |
| Abstract: |
The article discusses Maurice Isserman's book, *Reds: The Tragedy of American Communism*, which provides a comprehensive history of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA) and its complex relationship with the Soviet Union. It highlights a shift in Isserman's perspective from a revisionist view, which portrayed the CPUSA as a grassroots organization, to a more traditionalist interpretation that acknowledges the party's authoritarian nature and its subservience to Soviet directives. The book outlines five fundamental contradictions within the CPUSA, including its dual identity as both a champion of democratic ideals and a supporter of a totalitarian regime. The article features commentary from several historians who assess Isserman's work, noting its significance in the ongoing scholarly debate about American Communism and its legacy. [Extracted from the article] |
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| Database: |
Complementary Index |