Communism in Mexico: A Study in Political Frustration

The ease with which Cuba slipped into its relationship with Communism revived in the United States its recurring nightmare in which other Latin American countries, particularly Mexico, become satellites of Russia or Red China. But such an occurrence is most unlikely in Mexico, according to Karl Schmitt, former intelligence research analyst with the United States Department of State.

Communism in Mexico traces efforts during the early twentieth century to create a Soviet-style society in one of the largest and most strategically situated of the Latin American countries. Schmitt writes authoritatively of the Mexican Communist movement, tracing its development from an early and potentially powerful political-economic base to the increasingly fragmented and weakened collection of parties and front groups of the 1960s. He follows the various schisms and factional divisions to the mid-1950s, when the process of disintegration became most noticeable, and explores and analyzes in detail Communist attempts since then to establish unity among the many quarreling and frustrated groups of the now-splintered movement.

Three Communist parties in Mexico, a score of front groups, and numerous infiltration cells in non-Communist organizations such as student and labor groups, all recognize in a broad way a common and ultimate goal: the creation of a Soviet-style society. But their attempts at unity have consistently led only to further bickering and frustration. This period is subjected to a thorough study and analysis in an effort to understand and explain the Communists' lack of success. Schmitt presciently concludes that Communism's future in Mexico will be as cloudy as its past, and that the accelerating economy and improving social conditions there will serve to weaken the movement still further.

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Communism in Mexico: A Study in Political Frustration

The ease with which Cuba slipped into its relationship with Communism revived in the United States its recurring nightmare in which other Latin American countries, particularly Mexico, become satellites of Russia or Red China. But such an occurrence is most unlikely in Mexico, according to Karl Schmitt, former intelligence research analyst with the United States Department of State.

Communism in Mexico traces efforts during the early twentieth century to create a Soviet-style society in one of the largest and most strategically situated of the Latin American countries. Schmitt writes authoritatively of the Mexican Communist movement, tracing its development from an early and potentially powerful political-economic base to the increasingly fragmented and weakened collection of parties and front groups of the 1960s. He follows the various schisms and factional divisions to the mid-1950s, when the process of disintegration became most noticeable, and explores and analyzes in detail Communist attempts since then to establish unity among the many quarreling and frustrated groups of the now-splintered movement.

Three Communist parties in Mexico, a score of front groups, and numerous infiltration cells in non-Communist organizations such as student and labor groups, all recognize in a broad way a common and ultimate goal: the creation of a Soviet-style society. But their attempts at unity have consistently led only to further bickering and frustration. This period is subjected to a thorough study and analysis in an effort to understand and explain the Communists' lack of success. Schmitt presciently concludes that Communism's future in Mexico will be as cloudy as its past, and that the accelerating economy and improving social conditions there will serve to weaken the movement still further.

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Communism in Mexico: A Study in Political Frustration

Communism in Mexico: A Study in Political Frustration

by Karl M. Schmitt
Communism in Mexico: A Study in Political Frustration

Communism in Mexico: A Study in Political Frustration

by Karl M. Schmitt

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Overview

The ease with which Cuba slipped into its relationship with Communism revived in the United States its recurring nightmare in which other Latin American countries, particularly Mexico, become satellites of Russia or Red China. But such an occurrence is most unlikely in Mexico, according to Karl Schmitt, former intelligence research analyst with the United States Department of State.

Communism in Mexico traces efforts during the early twentieth century to create a Soviet-style society in one of the largest and most strategically situated of the Latin American countries. Schmitt writes authoritatively of the Mexican Communist movement, tracing its development from an early and potentially powerful political-economic base to the increasingly fragmented and weakened collection of parties and front groups of the 1960s. He follows the various schisms and factional divisions to the mid-1950s, when the process of disintegration became most noticeable, and explores and analyzes in detail Communist attempts since then to establish unity among the many quarreling and frustrated groups of the now-splintered movement.

Three Communist parties in Mexico, a score of front groups, and numerous infiltration cells in non-Communist organizations such as student and labor groups, all recognize in a broad way a common and ultimate goal: the creation of a Soviet-style society. But their attempts at unity have consistently led only to further bickering and frustration. This period is subjected to a thorough study and analysis in an effort to understand and explain the Communists' lack of success. Schmitt presciently concludes that Communism's future in Mexico will be as cloudy as its past, and that the accelerating economy and improving social conditions there will serve to weaken the movement still further.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781477304884
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Publication date: 11/06/2014
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 302
File size: 2 MB

About the Author

Karl M. Schmitt is Professor Emeritus of Government at the University of Texas at Austin.

Table of Contents

  • Preface
  • I. The History of the Mexican Communist Movement
    • The Founding of the Mexican Communist Party
    • The First Ten Years, 1919–1929
    • Revolt, Suppression, and Persecution, 1929–1934
    • Revival and Furthest Advance, 1934–1940
    • Discord, Disunity, and Decline of the Communist Movement, 1940–1962
      • Weaknesses In the Mexican Communist Party
      • Growth of Government Hostility To Communism In Labor Organizations
      • Founding of the Communist-Front People’s Party
      • Founding of the Communist-Splinter Mexican Worker-Peasant Party
      • Cooperation and Competition Among the Three Communist Parties
      • Cárdenas and the National Liberation Movement
  • II. Orthodoxy and Schism in Mexican Communism
    • The Mexican Communist Party
      • Leaders and Followers
      • Organization
      • Principles, Programs, and Propaganda
      • Activities
    • The Mexican Worker-Peasant Party
      • Leaders and Followers
      • Organization
      • Principles, Programs, and Propaganda
      • Activities
    • The Socialist People’s Party
      • Introduction
      • Leaders and Followers
      • Organization
      • Principles, Programs, and Propaganda
      • Activities
  • III. Communist-Front Organizations in Mexico
    • Introduction
    • The National Liberation Movement
    • The Mexican Peace Committee
    • The Mexican-Russian Institute of Cultural Exchange
    • The Society of Friends of the USSR
    • The Mexican Society of Friends with People’s China
    • The Mexican-Czechoslovak Institute of Cultural Exchange
    • The Mexican-Rumanian Friendship and Cultural Exchange Society
    • The Mexican-Bulgarian Friendship and Cultural Exchange Society
    • The Mexican-Hungarian Friendship and Cultural Exchange Institute
    • The Society of Friends of the People’s Republic of Poland
    • The Adam Mickiewicz Patronate
    • The Society of Friends of Guatemala
    • The Mexican Society of Friends of Revolutionary Guatemala
    • The Society of Friends of Cuba
    • The Mexican-Cuban Institute of Cultural Relations “José Marti,”
    • The Journalist Friends of Cuba
    • The People’s Graphic Arts Shop
    • The Center of Mexican Journalists
    • The People’s Israelite League
    • The National Front of Plastic Arts
    • The Circle of Mexican Studies
    • The Democratic Union of Mexican Women
    • The Vanguard of Mexican Women
    • The Confederation of Mexican Youths
    • The National Federation of Technical Students
  • IV. Organized Labor and the Communists
    • Introduction
    • Communist-infiltrated Labor Organizations
      • The Railroad Workers’ Union of the Mexican Republic
      • The Mining and Metallurgical Workers’ Union of the Mexican Republic
      • The Mexican Confederation of Electrical Workers
      • The National Teachers’ Union
    • Communist-controlled Labor Organizations
      • The World Federation of Trade Unions
      • The Confederation of Latin American Workers
      • The General Union of Workers and Peasants of Mexico
      • The Central Union of Ejido Societies
      • The Workers’ Front
      • The Workers’ University
  • V. The Mexican Government, the Mexican Communists, and International Communism
    • Introduction
    • The Mexican Government and the Communists
    • International Communism and the Mexican Movement
  • VI. The Failure of Mexican Communism
    • Postscript
    • Introduction
    • The Political Parties
      • The PCM
      • The PPS and the POCM
      • The Electoral Front of the People
    • Communist-Front Organizations in Mexico
    • Organized Labor and the Communists
    • The Mexican Government and the Communists
    • The Mexican Communists and the International Communists
  • Bibliography
  • Index
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