Kongresy i konferencje międzynarodowego ruchu socjalistycznego w okresie dwudziestolecia międzywojennego (problemy organizacyjne)

Abstract

Many important problems, economic-and-social as well as political, were discussed at the congresses and conferences of international socialist movement in the interwar period of twenty years. At the moment of the outbreak of the World War I the Second International ceased to function. The outbreak of the war pointed out serious differences of ideological and political positions which resulted in the fact that the majority of the leaders of Social Democratic parties which were union members of the Second International took the part of the imperialistic governments of their respective countries while only a minority opposed to both the war arid imperialism. After the defeat of Central Power and the armistice some actions which aimed at the reconstruction of the Second International were undertaken. This problem was discussed at the socialist conferences in Bern, Amsterdam, Lucerne, Geneve, and Vienna. Ultimatively only the Unification Congress which took place in Hamburg on the 21st- 25th of May 1923 succeeded to create the Socialist Workers’ International. At this congress the authorities of the party were appointed: the Executive, and the Headquarters. Artur Henderson became the president while Friedrich Adler, and Tom Shaw were appointed secretaries. The First Congress of SYVI made resolutions concerned with the problems of peace and the duties of working classes as well as the statute of SWI. At the congresses of SWI in Marseilles (1925), Brussels ( 1928), and Vienna ( 1931) the social, economic, and political situation of both Europe and the world was discussed. The danger of fascism which had then been acquiring power was indicated. The problem of how to overcome the economic-and-social crisis was a cause for reflection as well as those of militarism and disarmament. 1934-1939 is the last period of the activity of SWI in the prewar twenty years. This period abounded in numerous international events to which the socialist movement was not able to oppose successfully. The territorial expansion of Germany was the cause of the World War II which resulted in the tragedy of mankind. At the outbreak of the war at first the Headquarters of SWI and next the whole organization practically suspended its activity.