Krestintern

Krestintern letterhead

Krestintern, also known as the International Peasant Union, was an international organization of peasants that was affiliated with the Comintern. Established in the early 1920s, its primary aim was to spread communist ideology among the rural population and to support the establishment of peasant unions worldwide, which would work in tandem with the urban proletariat to achieve the global revolution envisioned by communism.

History

The Krestintern was founded following a series of meetings and discussions within the Comintern, recognizing the need to extend communist influence beyond the industrial working class and into the countryside, where the majority of the population lived in many countries at the time. It sought to address the unique conditions and needs of peasants, advocating for land reform, the improvement of peasants' living and working conditions, and their active participation in the revolutionary struggle.

Objectives

The main objectives of the Krestintern included:

• Mobilizing peasants in support of communist parties and the broader communist movement.
• Promoting agrarian reform and the redistribution of land to the peasantry.
• Establishing and supporting peasant unions and other rural organizations.
• Facilitating international solidarity and cooperation among peasant movements.

Activities

Krestintern's activities varied from country to country, depending on the local context and the strength of the communist movement. These activities often included organizing meetings and conferences, publishing propaganda materials aimed at the rural population, and providing support to peasant uprisings and strikes. Despite facing significant challenges, such as government repression and the skepticism of peasants who often saw the urban-centered communist parties as out of touch with their needs, Krestintern managed to establish a presence in several countries.

Decline and Dissolution

The influence of the Krestintern began to wane by the late 1920s and early 1930s. Several factors contributed to its decline, including internal conflicts within the Comintern, shifts in the Soviet Union's agricultural policies, and the rise of fascism and other authoritarian regimes that suppressed communist and peasant movements. The organization was eventually dissolved, though the exact date of its dissolution is not well-documented.

Legacy

The legacy of the Krestintern is mixed. While it failed to achieve its ambitious goal of uniting the world's peasants under the communist banner, it played a significant role in highlighting the importance of the rural proletariat in the revolutionary struggle. Its efforts also contributed to the development of peasant movements in various countries, some of which continued to fight for land reform and peasants' rights long after the Krestintern's dissolution.