Finding aid for the National Committee to Aid Victims of German Fascism records 6066

Stephanie Cipres

USC Libraries Special Collections

Doheny Memorial Library 206

3550 Trousdale Parkway

Los Angeles, California 90089-0189

213-740-5900

specol@usc.edu

Language of Material: English

Contributing Institution: USC Libraries Special Collections

Title: National Committee to Aid Victims of German Fascism records

creator: National Committee to Aid Victims of German Fascism (U.S.)

creator: Wagenknecht, Alfred

Identifier/Call Number: 6066

Physical Description: 0.21 Linear Feet 1 box

Date (inclusive): 1933

Abstract: Letters, documents, leaflets, clippings created by the National Committee to Aid Victims of German Fascism in New York in 1933. Organized by Workers International Relief in 1933 following the accession to power of Adolf Hitler in Germany, its aim was to mobilize the free world and raise funds to save people being persecuted by the Nazis.

Historical note

The National Committee to Aid Victims of German Fascism was organized by Workers International Relief, an adjunct to the international Communist Party, following the rise to power of Adolf Hitler in Germany. The goal was to raise enough funds to save the maximum amount of persecuted individuals in Nazi Germany. The Executive Secretary of the Committee was Alfred Wagenknecht, an American Marxist activist and political functionary. He is best remembered for having played a critical role in the establishment of the American Communist Party in 1919 as a leader of the Left Wing Section of the Socialist Party. Wagenknecht served as Executive Secretary of the Communist Labor Party of America and the United Communist Party of America in 1919 and 1920, respectively.

Scope and Contents

The collection contains original documents from the National Committee to Aid Victims of German Fascism. These include letters (many from Alfred Wagenknecht), documents, and telegrams, items are dated from the year 1933.

Conditions Governing Access

Advance notice required for access.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred Citation

[Box/folder no. or item name], National Committee to Aid Victims of German Fascism records, Collection no. 6066, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Acquisition

Purchased from Eric Chaim Kline, May 14, 2014.

Arrangement

The materials are arranged chronologically.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Anti-fascist movements -- United States -- 20th century -- Archival resources

Persecution -- Germany -- 20th century -- Archival resources

Clippings

Leaflets (printed works)

Letters

National Committee to Aid Victims of German Fascism (U.S.)

Wagenknecht, Alfred

National Committee to Aid Victims of German Fascism (U.S.) -- Archives

Wagenknecht, Alfred -- Archives

Box 1, folder 1

Save the Lives of Hitler Fascist Victims coupons 1933

Scope and Contents

Item is a printed and numbered document containing 10 cent coupons to be sold to aid Nazi Germany victims.

Box 1, folder 2

Help Victims of Hitler's Facist Regime Leaflet 1933

Scope and Contents

Item is a leaflet in red lettering proclaiming "Help victims of Hitler's Fascist Regime"

Box 1, folder 3

Anti-Communist Press Clip 1933

Scope and Contents

Item is an anti-communist press clip from a Nazi newspaper.

Box 1, folder 4

Raise Funds to Aid Victims 1933

Scope and Contents

Item is a typed document on how to raise funds to aid the victims of the Hitler terror. Topics and issues discussed include forming a committee, a team of volunteers, as well as methods of distribution to acquire the funds necessary.

Box 1, folder 5

Resolution of Protest 1933

Scope and Contents

Item is a typed resolution of protest to the presiding Judge at the Leipzig Trial of Torgler, Dimitrov, Taneff, and Popoff, Justice Wilhelm Buenger. Topics discussed include the demand that prisoners may choose their own laywers, dismisall of charges against prisoners, and the immediate release of Thaelman, Torgler, and all other anti-fascist prisoners.

Box 1, folder 6

Letter of S. Marcus to Comrade Becker 1 1933

Scope and Contents

Item is a typed letter letter of S. Marcus to comrade Becker. Original hand written letter is available. Topics of letter include the poor showing of supporters to events such as Tag Day.

Box 1, folder 7

Letter of S. Marcus to Comrade Becker 2 1933

Scope and Contents

Item is a typed letter letter of S. Marcus to comrade Becker. Topics of letter include the poor showing of supporters to events such as Tag Day.

Box 1, folder 8

Telegram to Mr. Heitler 1933 April 22

Scope and Contents

Item is a Western Union Telegram addressed to Mr. Heitler, and dated April 22nd 1933. The telegram announces the National Commitee to Aid Victims of German Fascism had been set up.

Box 1, Folder 9

Report from the National Committee 1933 May 9

Scope and Contents

A copy of a report receieved from the international committee to aid victims of German facism. Report was written by Francis Jourdain, international security, in Paris.

Box 1, folder 11

Letter to W. W. Heitler from Alfred Wagenknecht 1933 May 19

Scope and Contents

Item is a typed letter addressed to W.W. Heitler in Chicago, letter signed by Alfred Wagenknecht (Executiuve Secretary).The subjects of the letter include labels for boxes and Heitler is given a suggestion that he should have his labels made in Chicago as well as organizing a committee of doctors, teachers, etc.

Box 1, folder 12

Letter to Siegel from W. W. Heitler 1933 May 23

Scope and Contents

Item is a letter addressed to Mr. Siegel from W. W. Heitler. The letter was written as an invitation to the Jewish United Front and Anti-Fascist Committee to affiliate itself itself with the United Front Anitfascist Committee of Chicago. Heitler goes on to explain activities that they have done in the past.

Box 1, folder 14

Unsigned Letter Condemning pro-German advertisement 1933 June 23

Scope and Contents

Item is a unsigned letter condemning a pro-German advertisement published in the June 7th 1933 issue of the "Nation".

Box 1, folder 15

Lotz Letter to Anti Fascist Committee 1933 June 25

Scope and Contents

Item is a handwritten and signed letter from Waldemar Lotz insulting the National Committee and calling its supporters liars. Includes a typed copy of the letter.

Box 1, Folder 16

Response to Ad Freda Kirchwey 1933 June 27

Scope and Contents

Item is a typed letter from Freda Kirchwey of the "Nation" to Mr. Topchevsky, explaining the insertion of the German advertisement in the magazine. Freda wrote that anyone had the right to have something published as long as it was paid for and was not obscene.

Box 1, folder 18

Letter Bill Heitler to Morrie 1933 August 31

Scope and Contents

Item is a letter from Bill Heitler to Morrie. Letter was written regarding an urgent order of labels.

Box 1, folder 17

Letter Wagenknecht to Comrades 1933 July 1

Scope and Contents

Item is a letter from Wagenknecht regarding lack of funds in Paris.

Box 1, folder 20

Letter to Rank and File of Socialist Party 1933 September 15

Scope and Contents

Item is an open letter to the rank and file of the Socialist party. The National United Front asks the rank and file of the Socialist party to join forces to protest against Hitler fascism.

Box 1, folder 21

Letter to United Front Committees from Wagenknecht 1933 September 28

Scope and Contents

Item is a letter written by Wagenknecht in which he explains The Brown Book and how copies may be obtained.

Box 1, folder 22

Letter to Committees, Workers, and Organizations from Wagenknecht 1933 September 29th

Scope and Contents

Item is a letter from Wagenknecht regarding resolutions of protest and collection lists.

Box 1, folder 19

Meeting National Committee Agenda 1933 September 8

Scope and Contents

Item is a typed agenda of a meeting held on September 8th 1933. Topics discussed include election of chairman, secretary, and the report of secretary and delegates.

Box 1, folder 10

Letter to W. W. Heitler from M. Stern 1933 May 17

Scope and Contents

Item is a typed letter addressed to W. W. Heitler in Chicago and signed by M. Stern, assistant secretary. The subject of the letter is labels for boxes.

Box 1, folder 13

Letter from A. Wagenknecht 1933 June 3

Scope and Contents

Item is a letter by A. Wagenknecht. The matter addressed is funding for the relief campaign.