Baarslag (Karl) papers, bulk 1940-1960

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Summary

Title:
Karl Baarslag papers
Dates:
bulk 1940-1960
Creators:
Baarslag, Karl, 1900-1984
Abstract:
Writings, reports, memoranda, letters, pamphlets, and other printed matter relating to international communism, communism in the United States, communism in maritime unions, and internal security activities of the Office of Naval Intelligence during World War II.
Extent:
7 manuscript boxes (2.8 Linear Feet)
Language:
In English and German
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Karl Baarslag papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The Karl Baarslag papers contain writings, reports, memoranda, letters, pamphlets, books, and other printed matter relating to international communism, communism in the United States, communism in maritime unions, and internal security activities of the Office of Naval Intelligence during World War II. Some of Baarslag's own writings on communism; chapters from his unpublished memoir, "Backwards, Turn Backwards;" and his writings on other research interests are also included in the papers.

The majority of the material is located in the Communist Activities File, which contains material documenting various domestic and international communist movements and organizations, such as the Communist Party of the United States of America, the International of Seamen and Harbour Workers (ISH), and the Marine Transport Workers of the Western Hemisphere. Of particular note are letters written between 1924 and 1949 by prominent members of the Communist Party USA, including Jay Lovestone and Alex Bail, located in the Communist Party of the United States of America file.

In addition, the collection contains several pamphlets and books relating to communism and socialism, located in the Printed Matter series.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1900 November 25
Born
1941-1945
Lieutenant commander, United States Navy; assigned to Office of Naval Intelligence
1947-1953
Head of the National Americanism Commission of the American Legion
1984 January 10
Died
1953-1954
Research director for the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations
1920s-1930s
Marine radio operator
1935
Published SOS to the Rescue
1937
Published Coast Guard to the Rescue
1938
Published Robbery by Mail: The Story of the U.S. Postal Inspectors
1940
Published Islands of Adventure
1947
Published Communist Trade Union Trickery Exposed
1956-1960
Consultant for the House Committee on Un-American Activities
Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 1985.
Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Paige Minister
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-02-23 09:49:04.569772

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

Terms of access:

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Karl Baarslag papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US
Contact:
(650) 723-3563
hooverarchives@stanford.edu
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