Young Spartacus
CONTENTS BY ISSUE
(1931 – 1932)
Volume I, Number 1, December 1931 (Full pdf version)
Young Spartacus
Published by the National Youth Committee, Communist League of America (Opposition), New York, NY
Associate Editors:
- Martin Abern
- Joseph Carter
- George Ray
War in Manchuria Youth Must Combat Capitalist Militarism
Build Communist Youth Movement Young Spartacus to Work for Clarity and Action
Chicago Y.C.L. Activities in Decline
(The article notes "a profound ignorance from the lowest to the
highest ranks concerning the teachings of Marx, Engels and Lenin."
Comrades Norman Satir, Nathan Gould and Ruth Andris, supported by
others have protested this state of affairs and have been met with
expulsion.)
In the Y.C.I. Organization Records Feeble Growth
The Labor Youth Press
(The article discussed the shortcomings of the "Young Worker"
and "Free Youth," the youth publications of the Young Communist
League and the Young Peoples' Socialist League respectively)
3 Spartacus Speaks to the Gladiators
(The story of the slave gladiator who led an army of tens of
of thousands of gladiators against the armies of Rome in an attempt
to gain their freedom. They were eventually defeated after much early
success. The article contains a speech by Spartacus to his followers
exhorting them to fight for their freedom.)
Question and Answer Column-
(Explains briefly the "materialistic conception of history,"
"determinism" and "human nature.")
Youth Victims of Class Justice
Book Review-
(A review of "Where To Begin"--by F. Fuernberg,
distributed by Y.C.L. U.S.A. The review discusses the shortcomings of the
methods and activities of the Y.C.L)
Lenin - Working Class Leader
(Article by Trotsky)
Thesis on the Youth Question
(reprint of the thesis on the youth question adopted at the
Second National Conference of the Communist League of America (Opposition,)
N.Y.C. September 24-27, 1931. Part 1 of 4.)
Communist Student Expelled
(Rose Tekulsly, Y.C.L. member was expelled from Morris High School in N.Y.C.
for organizing to protest the raising of prices in the school cafeteria and the
addition of mandatory fees for students. The Y.C.L. called a student protest meeting
attended by more than 150 students and a possible student strike was discussed.)
N.Y. Youth Club Formed
Books By Leon Trotsky
(A listing.)
Volume II, Number 2, January 1932 (Full pdf version)
Young Spartacus
Published by the National Youth Committee, Communist League of America (Opposition), New York, NY
Associate Editors:
- Martin Abern
- Joseph Carter
- George Ray
N.Y. Marine Workers Being Framed Organizations Rally to the Assistance of Soderberg, Bunker and Trajer
The Life of a Young Seaman
(A letter from William Trajer, one of the defendants.)
Honor Bolshevik Leaders Continue the Tradition of Lenin, Liebknecht and Luxemberg
Marxian Youth Club Develops Activities
Students and the Revolutionary Movement
Organize!
(A call to worker action.)
March of the Hungry Men
(Poem)
In China
(About the failure of Chiang Kai-Shek to repel the Japanese from
Manchuria and how it has spawned a mass movement against him and
the Japanese in which students play a big part. Fifty thousand
students demonstrate in Nanking.)
Communist Views on Elections
Books by Leon Trotsky
Carry Out Lenin's Will
His Last Words to the Party, Still Suppressed by the Stalinists
(Discusses the personalities and abilities of Stalin, Trotsky
and others and the necessity of removing Stalin as General Secretary
to avoid a split in the party.)
Thesis On Youth Question
(Part 2 of 4)
Farewell, Ilyich'
(Trotsky's comments on Lenin and his death.)
Volume II, Number 3, February 1932 (Full pdf version)
Young Spartacus
Published by the National Youth Committee, Communist League of America (Opposition), New York, NY
Associate Editors:
- Martin Abern
- Joseph Carter
- George Ray
For the Organization of the Chicago Students
Anti-War Conference Rally Young Workers and Students Against Militarism
Disarmament and Pacifism
(Comments on the Disarmament Conference called by the League of
Nations, scheduled for Geneva 2/2/1932.)
Greetings from Spain
(Positive comments on the first issue from the Executive Committee
of the Communist Opposition of Spain.)
Comrade Trotsky on the Communist Youth
Germany and Fascism
(Announces the publication of a new pamphlet by comrade Trotsky called "Germany--The Key
to the International Situation.")
Young Communist Joins Left Opposition
(Letter from Norman Satir, recently expelled from Y.C.L.)
Social Basis of Crime
(In a nutshell, class, economics and the capitalist system.)
Historical Documents
Russian Left Opposition Youth Thesis
(This is a section from the Platform of the Russian Bolshevik-Leninists
(Left Opposition) introduced into the Central Committee of the RCP September 1927.)
Child Labor in America
Mark Twain
Two Reigns of Terror
Loyalty
(Two incisive and politically astute passages from the writer supporting social justice.)
New Opposition Organs
(Y.S. welcomes the arrival of "Unser Kampf" in Yiddish
and Komministes in Greek.)
Thesis on Youth Question
New York Y.P.S.L. Meet: It's Significance
(This article deals with different factions in the organization,
their advocacy of varying tactics, and the growing influence of the self-styled
"militant" group of the Socialist Party among the young socialists.)
Question and Answer Column-
(What are the causes of anarchy under capitalism?)
(What factors allow quick industrial development under a workers' state?)
Young Spartacus Needs your Support
(Subscribe now!)
Volume II, Number 4, March 1932 (Full pdf version)
Young Spartacus
Published by the National Youth Committee, Communist League of America (Opposition), New York, NY
Associate Editors:
- Martin Abern
- Joseph Carter
- George Ray
Young Communist Murdered in Kentucky
(Twenty year old Harry Simms, youth organizer of the National
Miners' Union was shot and killed by an agent of Kentucky coal operators.)
Fascist Danger in Germany Leon Trotsky Shows the Way to Defeat Hitlerism
N.Y. Youth Club Supports Young Spartacus
Imperialist War and the Class Struggle
In the Youth Movement Y.C.L.-Yipsels Hold Debate
The Drive of the Young Communist League
(The article discusses an upcoming membership drive, the failure of two
previous drives and the reasons for the lack of success.)
Morgenstern-Goodman Jailed
Left Opposition Platform
Logic of Theory of National Socialism
(A discussion of the different revolutionary tactics espoused by
Stalin and Trotsky as to whether to ally with liberal/bourgeois elements
and a review of how things played out in England and China.)
Karl Marx: Revolutionist
Men of England
(Poem by Shelley showing insight about class tyranny and class struggle
and calling for armed revolution, - a political poem from a "romantic" poet)
Spartacan Comments-
Prince of Wales Agitates the Youth
(He blames the current economic crisis on "depression and apathy" and
claims the solution is "good sense and good humor.")
Communism Versus Anarchism Debate
The Young Spartacus
(A call for reader feedback.)
International Communist Review To Be Issued
N.Y. Comrades Attention
(Announces a lecture course on the true history of the
Communist International by Max Shactman.)
Andres Nin Greets Young Spartacus
(Letter from a Communist from Barcelona.)
Question and Answer Column- What is socialism? What are the fundamental characteristics of the capitalist society? Who coined the expression "labor lieutenants of the capitalist class as a description of the leaders of the American Federation of Labor?
Volume II, Number 5, April 1932 (Full pdf version)
Young Spartacus
Published by the National Youth Committee, Communist League of America (Opposition), New York, NY
Associate Editors:
- Martin Abern
- Joseph Carter
- George Ray
Japan Presses for Colonization of China
Auto Workers Murdered Ford Police Shoot into Jobless Demonstration - Kill Youth
Results of the German Election
(Hindenburg wins, fascists make gains.)
Framed Marine Workers Stand Trial
Students Barred From Kentucky
(The students were attempting to do an economic survey of conditions among
the miners and to aid in the distribution of relief. They were turned away by
county attorneys working on behalf of mine operators, a company attorney
and sheriffs.)
Scottsboro Boys Condemned to Death
Students Organize National Movement
(The National Student League)
Unit Organizer Expelled in Chicago Y.C.L.
Lewis Union Ignores Young Miners
S.Y.C. Arranges Debates
(The debates are with Y.P.S.L. and the Anarchist Youth Group "Vanguard.")
In Defense of Theft - By Jean Paul Marat
(This is a translation of a speech before the judges of the revolutionary
tribunal in defense of a man who had been driven by hunger to steal.)
Trotsky Deprived of Citizenship by Stalin
Book Review-
Lenin and the Imperialist War
(A review of "Socialism and War" by V. Lenin and G. Zinoviev, an explanation
of the stand of the Marxists on war.)
Question and Answer Column- What is commodity production? What is social Fascism?
Capitalism and Child Labor
Spartacan Comments
The March Young Spartacus
(It was 8 pages, 4 blank, but despite various speculative theories about the
reason for this it was actually a printer's error. The intention is to print
8 pages in future volumes.)
Our Question and Answer Column
"Renegades" at Y.C.L.-Y.P.S.L. Debate
Volume II, Number 6, May 1932 (Full pdf version)
Young Spartacus
Published by the National Youth Committee, Communist League of America (Opposition), New York, NY
Associate Editors:
- Martin Abern
- Joseph Carter
- George Ray
Tom Mooney Pardon Refused
May Day 1932
Fascists Gain in Elections Communists and Socialists Suffer Defeats in Germany
Marine Workers Sentenced
May Day by V.I. Lenin
With the Spartacus Youth Clubs
(Developments in St. Louis and New York)
Columbia Univ. Students Strike
(The strike followed the expulsion of Reed Harris, the editor of
the school daily paper, as a result of editorials supporting the
student delegation to Kentucky, attacking the coal operators and
charging the John Jay Hall, a school dining room, with mismanagement.)
Haymarket Martyrs and May Day
The Teachings of Marx - by F. Engels
(A speech delivered at the burial of Karl Marx.)
The Communists and the Far East
(Comments on the Japanese occupation of Manchuria.)
On May Day
(Poem, no author attribution)
Opposition Press Drive
(Announces a fundraising drive to benefit three opposition publications
including Y.S.)
Ten Years of the American Young Communist League
Volume II, Number 7, June 1932 (Full pdf version)
Young Spartacus
Published by the National Youth Committee, Communist League of America (Opposition), New York, NY
Associate Editors:
- Martin Abern
- Joseph Carter
- George Ray
Japan's War Threat to Soviet Union
Fascist Danger Grows Junker Government Prepares the Way for Hitler's Regime For Unity of Communist Ranks To the N.E.C. of the Y.C.L. To the Members of the Young Communist League
Youth Fight Against Capitalist War
("The war in Manchuria may easily become the beginning of
a new World War, American capitalism is looking for a way
out of the economic crisis.")
For International Coordination
Activities of Opposition Youth
New York Spartacus Youth Club
Young Socialists Defend View of Peaceful Development
(Description of the debate with Y.P.S.L.")
Anarchist Youth Debate
(Description of the debate with young Anarchists, the Vanguard Group)
Open Air Meetings Held by Youth Club
Morgenstern Goodman Released
Letter from Paris
(Report on developments in Paris and Belgium)
Students Organize to Fight Fees
(The N.Y.C. administration considers imposing tuition and other fees on
City Colleges. The National Student League leads the fight against them.)
Chicago Debate Can the Socialist Party play a revolutionary role in America? YES - Young Peoples' Socialist League NO - Communist League of America (Opposition) Youth Group
On Child Labor Legislation
Book Review-
Foster on Soviet America
(By William Z. Foster, the Communist Party candidate for President.
The review states that "as a Stalinist, his book is permeated with the
false and stupid theories of the faction to which he belongs.")
Scottsboro Boys Execution Stayed
Spartacan Comments Spanish Left Oppositionists Arrested I.L.P. Guild of Youth Convention Ivan Krueger an Example of Capitalist Genius
Appeal to the C.C. of the Soviet Union
(Excerpts from Trotsky's open letter to the C.E.C. of the U.S.S.R.,
on the occasion of the removal of his citizenship rights of the
Soviet Union.)
For 8 Page Young Spartacus
Volume II, Number 8, July 1932 (Full pdf version)
Young Spartacus
Published by the National Youth Committee, Communist League of America (Opposition), New York, NY
Associate Editors:
- Martin Abern
- Joseph Carter
- George Ray
Young Communist League Members Expelled For Fighting Bureaucracy
1932 Election Campaign Support the Communist Party Candidates: Foster and Ford
Militant Workers Face Deportation
Veterans March on Washington
Struggle Against German Fascism
Hoover's "Pacifist" Proposals
Opposition Youth Debates YIPSELS
N.Y. Spartacus Club
National Convention of Socialist Youth
With the Int'l Opposition Youth Appeal of Spanish Comrades Letter From Spain El Soviet Greets Us Opposition Youth France-
Labor
(Poem, attributed to "B.B.")
Book Review- Trotsky on the Chinese Revolution "Problems of the Chinese Revolution" by Leon Trotsky
Toward an Eight Page Young Spartacus
Spartacan Comments-
On the Spot by Ridem
(Announces a new column.)
Federal Budget Deficit
(Calls for the government to help people in need instead of banks.)
American Amateur Sports
Mutterings
Revolution-An American Tradition
Early Development of Capitalism
Volume II, Number 9 &10, September 1932 (Full pdf version)
Young Spartacus
Published by the National Youth Committee, Communist League of America (Opposition), New York, NY
Associate Editors:
- Martin Abern
- Joseph Carter
- George Ray
On the German Battlefront
Struggle Against Imperialist War American Young Workers, Demonstrate on International Youth Day
Illinois Miners Out on Strike
The Election Show Has Started
Japan Plans for New Attacks
A Frame-up Against Left Opposition
With the Spartacus Youth Clubs N.Y. Spartacus Club Chicago Minneapolis Toronto
Remember Sacco and Vanzetti The Struggle of the Youth in Spain
N.Y. Young Dollworkers on Strike
On the German Battlefront
Trotsky Extracts on Pacifism
Historical Document- Call for the First I.Y.D.
Lenin Extracts on the War
Books by Leon Trotsky
The Origin of International Youth Day
Proletarian Youth Day
(Poem, anonymous)
The Student Review
(The article is a discussion of the problems of the
National Student League, its program and tasks.)
The Eclipse Turned Into A Grand Show
(A discussion of the religious and
scientific views of the phenomenon)
The Meaning of the Y.C.I. Letter to the American League
A Report on the Convention of the Young Peoples Socialist League
Y.C.L. Members! Ask Your Leaders the Following Questions
Labor Day -- Theirs and Ours
("Labor Day is the holiday of the ruling class, the capitalists.
May Day is the holiday of the workers...over the entire world,
to demonstrate against capitalism.")
"What Next?"
(Announcing the publication and availability of Trotsky's
latest work on the situation in Germany.)
Olympics and Sports
(Discusses the Olympics as a representation
of capitalist sports, and the "counter Olympic" meet
organized by the Labor Sports Union.)
A Letter from Spain
(Reports on the suppression of "Joven Espartaco," the Spanish
"Young Spartacus, by the government.)
An Appeal for the Spanish Youth Comrades
(Describes the contents of the first issue of "Joven Espartaco"
and calls for donations.)
Volume II, Number 11, October 1932 (Full pdf version)
Young Spartacus
Published by the National Youth Committee, Communist League of America (Opposition), New York, NY
Associate Editors:
- Martin Abern
- Joseph Carter
- George Ray
Vote Communist! Support the Revolutionary Candidates, Foster and Ford, in the Coming Elections
Scottsboro Boys Appeal Case
Class Forces in Germany
(Recounting the struggles between Von Papen and Hitler.)
Miners Hold Convention in Ill.
Spartacus Youth Clubs Forge Ahead
(A description of current disagreements and conflict between the Spartacus Youth Clubs and The
Y.C.L. in Montreal and New York.)
Youth and the World Anti-War Congress
Chicago Club Statement to the National Student League
(Relates to the attempt to expel "Trotskyites" from the N.S.L.)
Lytton Committee Report on Manchuria
The Revolutionary Heritage of John Reed
Book Review-
History of the First International
"The History of the First International" by G. Steklov, International Publishers.
(The book recounts the history, focusing on the conflict between the Marxists and the anarchists.)
The Young Guards
(Poem, no author attribution)
Campaign Against Opposition Youth
(Describes the Chicago Y.C.L. campaign against the Chicago Spartacus Youth Club.)
News Snaps of the Month
Another Frame-Up
("Another Harlan Kentucky miner has been found guilty of conspiracy to murder a deputized company
gunman and sentenced to serve life in prison.")
Illinois Student Strike
(High school students in Kincaid Illinois struck in sympathy with their fathers who are striking for
an increase in coal-mining wages from $5.00 to $6.10 a day.)
Foreign visiting Students
(The U.S. Labor Department ruled last month that foreign students admitted to study at U.S. Colleges
and Universities are barred from working their way through these institutions.)
N.Y. Comrades in Illinois Mine Field
School Organized by Left Opposition
(The school, the International Workers School, will open with four classes in N.Y.C.)
Young Spartacus
(Plans called for an 8 page October issue but due to circumstances...it is four. The November issue is planned
as an 8 pager. Send money in the form of donations and subs to help this happen. Write for YS.)
Volume II, Number 12, November 1932 (Full pdf version)
Young Spartacus
Published by the National Youth Committee, Communist League of America (Opposition), New York, NY
Associate Editors:
- Martin Abern
- Joseph Carter
- George Ray
Scottsboro Big Victory
(7 out of 9 U.S. Supreme Court justices ruled the trial was unfair for a number of reasons.)
Hail Red Russia!
Workers Celebrate Fifteenth Anniversary of Soviet Rule
Youth Rallies to Miners' Relief
Organization Notes-
New Spartacus Clubs Formed
(The article describes the formation and activities of new clubs in Minneapolis, Toronto, and Chicago. It also
describes the activities and plans of the N.Y. club, comrade Joe Carter's speech to the Bronx YPSLs, and an upcoming
Spartacus-YPSL debate on whether Socialism or Communism is better for the working class.)
The meaning of the Democratic Landslide
More Expulsions in the Chicago Y.C.L.
Children March on Washington
Illinois Miners in Struggle
(22,000 rank and file coal miners form the Progressive Miners Union of America, breaking with John L. Lewis and
the United Mine Workers of America and its corrupt and collaborationist tactics. The article recounts the events leading up
to this development.)
Students' Protest Movement Grows
(The City College of N.Y. dismisses Oakley Johnson, an instructor, for championing student rights and supporting
the Communist Party. Close to a 1,000 students protest the expulsion and some are arrested and/or beaten by police.)
Two Anti-War Conferences Called
(There is one in Chicago sponsored by the National Student League and presumably supported by the Y.C.L. The other
one will be held in New York and is supported by Yipsels and other Pacifist and Liberal Youth organizations. The Spartacus
Youth Clubs will participate in both with the aim of creating a united front against war and drawing a sharp line between
the revolutionary and the Pacifist manner of fighting wars.)
Chen Du-Hsui
(Chen Du-Hsui, the founder of the Chinese Communist Party and leader of the Left Opposition, has been arrested and
imprisoned by the Chiang Kai-Shek regime. The article calls for his unconditional release and asks for support from
the Communist Party and the Young Communist League.)
Lenin
Marxism and Revolutionary Tactics
(A reprint of an article written before the November 1917 revolution and criticizing the "old Bolsheviks," which meant
the entire central committee of the Bolshevik party, particularly Kamenev and Zinoviev.)
Book Review-
"What Next?" by Leon D. Trotsky
(The book is primarily devoted to a criticism of the mistakes and blunders of Thaelmanns and Remmeles, leaders of
the German Communist Party.)
Canadian Students Organize League
Student Notes
(The revolutionary students of Canada have Organized "The Student League of Canada" with a newspaper called "The Spark" as
its official organ.)
Eugene Victor Debs - American Revolutionist
(By Joseph Carter)
Trotsky on Debs
L. D. Trotsky 53 Years
The Master Class Celebrates Armistice Day
(The article discussed capitalist hypocrisy and its effects on the occasion of
the celebration of the "war to end all wars.")
The Permanent Revolution
(Trotsky on the doctrine of "permanent revolution.")
With the Left Communist Youth of Other Lands
Letter From France
Belgium, Germany, Spain, Greece, France
(Updates on the status and activities of the left opposition and other leftist groups in these countries.)
Child Health Under Bosses' Rule
(A N.Y. Times article quotes the Health Department of N.Y.C. stating that over 20% of school children are
malnourished and there are increasing health problems with rickets, scurvy, anemia and resistance to
infectious diseases.)
Leon Trotsky
"Problems of the Development of the U.S.S.R."
(A pamphlet that deals with the "Economic Contradictions of the Transition Period" and other problems.)
Justice Triumphs -- A Story by Harry Ross
(A story about "justice" in capitalist society.)
The Downfall of the Family
(This article examines the accusations that Communists wish to destroy the family and advances the thesis that
the harsh economic conditions created by capitalist exploitation are what really destroys families.)
On the Defense of the Soviet Union
(A quote from Trotsky about how the defense of the Soviet Union is the "elementary and indisputable duty
of every revolutionary worker.")
The Situation in Germany
(A report on the violent feud between Hitler's Nazis and Von Pappen's Nationalists, stating that the danger of an
attempted Hitler coup is as great as ever, maybe greater. The Communists gain in the November 6 election.)
Hunger March London--Wash.
Greet 4th Anniversary of the Militant
December -- One Year of The Young Spartacus
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Last updated on 26 December 2010