History ETDs

Steve Ellner

Publication Date

8-10-1979

Abstract

In August 1935, the international Communist movement adopted the policy of creating alliances ("popular fronts") with other leftist parties on the basis of a reformist program and an anti-fascist rhetoric. In Venezuela, an initial attempt to carry out this strategy in 1936 resulted in the creation of the non-Socialist "Single Party of the Left." However, the Communists soon began to feel that suppression of their Marxist beliefs was too high a price to pay for unity. During World War II, rivalry between the two main leftist groups, the Communist Party (PCV) and Acción Democrática (AD), split the labor movement, in spite of the similar labor platforms which both parties upheld. In addition differences in their policies toward the government exacerbated tension between the two parties. AD leaders began to accuse the PCV of servitude to the Soviet Union and of disregard for Venezuelan interests. They challenged the PCV on its ideological front. They were convinced that the vast majority of their countrymen favored AD's brand of nationalism over the PCV's internationalist, pro-Soviet position. A second consideration led AD to disassociate itself from the Communists. The common historical roots of both parties had created the impression that Acción Democrática was itself a "Communist Party in disguise." It was hoped that employment of heavily charged rhetoric against the PCV would help dispel this notion. Beginning in the early 1940s, a leftist tendency in AD had favored the formation of an electoral alliance with the PCV, and had attempted to include Communists in united slates for trade union offices. Several other issues were vigorously debated within Acción Democrática: at what pace to implement the party's reform program; whether to espouse socialism as an ultimate objective; and whether to uphold a position of complete neutrality in U.S.-Soviet relations. During the years of AD rule (1945-1948), the emerging Cold War effected a series of changes in AD and PCV policies, which further impeded unity between the two organizations both on political and trade union fronts. Certain AD leaders prepared to carry out a general strike in opposition to an anticipated military takeover, and they urged the PCV to cooperate in these efforts. When the coup finally occurred in November 1948, these plans came to naught. The debate over what relations to pursue toward AD seriously factionalized the Communist Party in the 1940s. Two ideological questions underpinned this internal debate: what role did the Venezuelan bourgeoisie and its representative parties play in the struggle against foreign domination; and, should the Communists give priority to the "struggle for democracy" or to the "struggle against imperialism." These issues racked the Communist Party and seriously undermined its activities on the labor front. As a result, after 1945, AD gained dominance in the Venezuelan labor movement.

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Degree Name

History

Department Name

History

First Committee Member (Chair)

Edwin Lieuwen

Second Committee Member

Illegible

Third Committee Member

Michael Lee Conniff

Fourth Committee Member

Robert William Kern

Language

English

Project Sponsors

A Fellowship from the Organization of American States

Document Type

Dissertation

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