Introduction, Issue 1: April 1996
When discussions were held last year as to the possibility of a loose network of historians of communism, three main conclusions emerged: that there should be a database of contacts and their research interests; that there should be occasional seminars or workshops; and that there might be a scope for an occasional informal newsletter.
As to research interests, a first listing of these was circulated some time ago and this is now being updated. Any further names, with research interests and a contact address, should be sent to: Kevin Morgan, Department of Government, University of Manchester M13 9PL.
A first workshop was held in Manchester on 3 February, when 46 people attended to hear five papers on 'New Findings from the Moscow Archives'. A second event, on 'A Weapon in the Struggle? Culture and the British Communist Party', is being held at the National Museum of Labour History, 103 Princess St., Manchester on Saturday 18 May, 11.00am - 5.00pm. The event is being organised by Andy Croft and will present five papers from a book on this theme that Andy is editing for Pluto Press. For information and prior bookings (which will help with calculations of seating and refreshments) contact Andy direct on 01642 814987. We are particularly grateful to the National Museum of Labour History for its help with both of these events.
This first Newsletter includes abstracts of four of the papers given at the Moscow archives conference (the fifth was a more informal paper by Yoram Gorlizki on new archival sources for Soviet history). Kevin McDermott's paper drew on his book on the Comintern which is shortly to be published by Macmillan. A full version of Monty Johnstone's paper will be found in a special issue on British communism of the US journal Science and Society, to be published later this year. The special issue will also include articles by Neil Barrett (on anti-fascist activities), Francis King (on the CP archives), Steve Parsons (on communist schoolteachers) and Carol Thornton and Willie Thompson (on 1956 in Scotland); a colloquium on communism in the British Empire including Hakim Adi on West Africa, Raj Chandavarkar on India, Allison Drew on South Africa and Emmet O Connor on Ireland; and reviews by Geoff Eley, Colin Holmes, Richard Hyman and Stuart Macintyre. It is hoped that arrangements will be made to have this issue distributed in the UK.
The current Newsletter also includes reports by Mike Jones, on some Scandinavian sources for early communist history; by Dave Turner, on the CP oral history project; and by Andrew Flinn, on the CP archives in Manchester.
Whether this proves to be the first of many Newsletters depends entirely on whether there is sufficient material to put future ones together. Anybody with news of publications, research reports or any other information they wish to circulate — please send it in!
Editor CHNN
Department of Government
University of Manchester
Manchester
United Kingdom
M13 9PL
