Celebrating the 80th anniversary of the historic victory over fascism, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) organised an International Anti-Fascist Forum, from April 21-25, in Moscow. This author participated in the programme as a representative of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

THIS May 9th the entire world will be observing the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism. It is on this day in 1945, the Soviet Union’s Red Army hoisted the Red Flag over the Reichstag in Berlin, after comprehensively defeating Hitler’s fascist hordes. Facing inevitable defeat, Hitler committed suicide on April 30. The significance of this victory over fascism assumes importance in today’s international and national situation.

Fascism was the form preferred by the ruling classes to overcome the Great Depression of the 1920s and retain their hegemony over State power. Those decades were rife with working class struggles across many countries and the ascendancy of the communist movement. The victory of the Great October Socialist Revolution in 1917 and the giant strides it made towards eliminating all forms of exploitation inspired people across the world. They witnessed firsthand the nascent Soviet State's success in defeating imperialist encirclement and thwarting the civil war instigated by the former Russian ruling classes.

 Inspired by these developments, the working class in countries like Germany and Hungary attempted to overthrow the ruling classes. Although these attempts were unsuccessful for various reasons, they put the ruling bourgeoisie on the alert. In order to prevent any attempts by the communist parties and the working class led by them from seizing power during the economic crisis, the ruling classes encouraged various kinds of fascist forces – led by Mussolini in Italy, Hitler in Germany and Hirohito in Japan.

It was not only the domestic bourgeoisie that supported the rise of fascism. The bourgeoisie of almost all major capitalist countries at the time – such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and France – also played a role in fostering its growth. Many large industrial houses, including those of Ford, Rockefeller, and Coca-Cola, openly helped the development of fascism. It was in this context that Georgi Dimitrov, the leader of the Communist International and one of the foremost anti-fascist fighters, defined fascism as the “open terrorist dictatorship of finance capital that fears the working class.”

The ruling classes of these countries were not particularly alarmed when Hitler began rearming Germany. They believed his declarations and shared his objective of eliminating communism from the face of the earth. Winston Churchill, in particular, never concealed his deep hatred for communism. All of them hoped that Hitler would defeat the Soviet Union. Blinded by this hatred, they refused to halt Hitler’s march over Europe. When Stalin called for an alliance against fascism, the UK, France, and the US flatly refused.

It was only after Hitler launched his military campaign, defeated France, and directly threatened the UK that they began to realise the danger to their own countries. Yet even then, they ignored repeated Soviet Union appeals to join hands against fascism. They were still harbouring hopes on Hitler and his capacity to defeat Soviet Union. This is the primary reason for the delay in opening the second front by the US, UK, and France in the war against fascism.

Despite all obstacles, the Soviet Union led the fight against fascism and played the most crucial role in its defeat. More than 20 million Soviet citizens lost their lives in the war, including nearly 3 million members of the Communist Party. The country suffered immense material losses – its industries and agriculture were devastated, and critical infrastructure such as homes, schools, and hospitals lay in ruins. The battles of Stalingrad, Leningrad, and Kursk became legendary symbols of resistance and resilience. The Soviet army fought fiercely, defending every inch of their homeland. Ultimately, it was the Red Army's victories on these fronts that forced the world to recognise that Hitler could be defeated. Only after the Soviet army began decisively driving out fascist forces from Soviet territory did the Allied forces hastily open the second front.

True to the spirit of communist internationalism, the Red Army did not stop after liberating their own country. They advanced towards Berlin, liberating numerous Nazi-occupied countries along the way.

The role played by communist parties as partisans in fascist-occupied countries was equally heroic. Many dedicated themselves to organising resistance movements and used guerrilla tactics behind enemy lines. Their courageous efforts earned widespread admiration, and after the defeat of Hitler, many people in these countries turned to communist parties to lead their countries. This is how several countries in East Europe turned towards socialism. In Western Europe, countries like France and Spain saw the communist parties emerge as significant political forces.

Fearing the rise of communism and the spread of socialism, and in an attempt to preserve bourgeois dominance, the United States introduced the Marshall Plan for the reconstruction of Europe. This period also saw the emergence of social welfare policies and the establishment of the welfare state.

However hard the capitalist class tried to erase the role played by the Soviet Union and the Red Army in the defeat of fascism, they could not succeed. Culture was used as a major weapon to distort history. Numerous Hollywood films produced on the Second World War serve as examples – most of them glorify the role of the US and UK while consciously downplaying or ignoring the decisive contribution of the Red Army.

After the setback to socialism and the collapse of the Soviet Union, renewed efforts were launched to rewrite history. In many East European countries, communist parties were banned, along with symbols associated with communism – the red flag, hammer and sickle, and so on. A systematic campaign to rewrite textbooks was initiated, and a mass production of books masquerading as historical novels emerged to discredit communist parties and their role in defeating fascism. But all of them forget that once history is made, it cannot be undone.

Russia is now planning to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism on a grand scale. Putin is not a communist – in fact, he has repeatedly denounced communism, the Communist Party, and particularly Lenin, the leader of the Great October Socialist Revolution. Despite this, he has been compelled to use the symbols of the Red Army and even Stalin in the commemorative events. Shops across Moscow are adorned with red flags and images depicting the heroic role played by the Red Army. Many displays feature the iconic image of a Red Army soldier raising the Red Flag atop the Reichstag.

The Victory Museum in Moscow vividly showcases episodes of the Red Army's bravery and the Soviet people's sacrifices in the war. It includes numerous images and videos featuring Stalin and the red flag with the hammer and sickle. People – including young children – regularly throng the museum to learn about the Second World War and the heroic role of the people of the Soviet Union in defeating fascism. All these prove that the heroism of the Red Army cannot be erased from the annals of history.

The Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism by organising an international Anti-Fascist Forum from April 21 to 25. Representatives from 164 parties and organisations from 91 countries participated in the event. Gennady Zyuganov, Chairperson of the CPRF, inaugurated the Forum and recalled the glorious role played by the Red Army and the immense sacrifices of the Soviet people. Representatives of the Communist Party of China and the Communist Party of Cuba also addressed the inaugural session.

Following the inauguration, three plenary sessions were held simultaneously to discuss various facets of the fascist threat confronting the world today. Nearly 60 parties presented papers and shared their views on the growing dangers of fascism and increased imperialist aggression. All participants condemned the Israeli aggression on Gaza and Palestine, and denounced the role of the United States in arming Israel and escalating tensions across regions. They unanimously reiterated their commitment to the establishment of a sovereign State of Palestine with pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital.

Participants also expressed strong solidarity with Cuba and unanimously denounced the ongoing economic blockade imposed on the country.

The Forum highlighted the dangers of neoliberalism and the enabling conditions it creates for the rise of fascist forces across the world. Communist parties attending the Forum reaffirmed their resolve to fight imperialism, neoliberal attacks, and the divisive politics propagated by ruling classes in their respective countries.

History has shown that fascism can be confronted only through the unity of the people. The unity of the working class and other toiling sections of society forms the foundation upon which broader sections of the people can be mobilised in resisting and ultimately defeating the fascist onslaught.