CREES

The history of anti‐communism will be the main theme of the Jahrbuch für Historische Kommunismusforschung (JHK) in 2011. From the beginning, the world view of communism, its adherents [Interpreten] and those who built regimes in its name came up against the vehement rejection of bourgeois society. They saw an existential danger in its atheistic and anti‐national ideology, which negated the existing political, economic and social order. But so too did Socialists and Social democrats experience the advance of communism in the aftermath of the First World War and the Russian October Revolution as a threat to their hegemony in the workforce. Anti‐communism was established as a reaction to communism; however, during its existence it never developed clearly defined objectives, its own ideology or a precise, comprehensive system of thought. Its historical development and organisational forms are to be at the centre of the 2011 edition of the journal. The editors and advisory board of the Jahrbuch invite contributions that deal with the characteristics of anticommunism during the interwar years, under National Socialism and Fascism as well as during the first decade after 1945. The focus can be on Europe or worldwide. The contributions should address the multifarious associations and organisations of anti‐communism, shedding light on their patrons, ideologues, stereotypes and images of the enemy. To what extent and in what phases did anticommunism direct itself not only against totalitarian communism, but against any criticism from the Left? Was anti‐communism the ‘cardinal folly of our time’ (Thomas Mann)? How did communism react to its adversary? How did they stigmatise critics within their own ranks? To what extent can we differentiate between a ‘democratic anti‐communism’ and an ‘undemocratic anti‐communism’? Is there anti‐communism without communism? To what extent did communist movements succeed during the second half of the twentieth century in stigmatising anti‐communism sufficiently that anticommunism became part of ‘political correctness’ down to the present day, which is an obstacle preventing an unambiguous evaluation of communist regimes?

The editors also welcome offers of contributions that are not part of the main theme outlined above. Especially welcome are texts focussing on the year 1961 as a Cold War caesura in Europe or globally. Also aspects of the Great Terror in the Soviet Union which ask new questions are welcome, as it will be 75 years since the beginning of these events when the Jahrbuch is published in 2011. Finally, contributions are welcome which deal with the place of the history of communist dictatorships in the culture of memory in present day Europe.

Please send offers of contributions to the editor of the Jahrbuch, Karin Jaeger, at: jhk@stiftungaufarbeitung.de
They should be in the form of a short outline with details of the author. The Jahrbuch publishes essays and miscellaneous short articles, biographical sketches, contributions to the Forum section as well as overviews of research and archives. They are published in German and are usually between 25,000 and 50,000 characters in length. Translations from other languages can be arranged by the editors. Payment of a fee for contributions is, unfortunately, not possible. The Jahrbuch will appear in March 2011. Contributions for this edition must be with the editors – unless otherwise agreed – by 31 January 2010.

For further details about the Jahrbuch go to:
https://stiftung-aufarbeitung.de/Jahrbuch/index.php?PHPSESSID=3f788da2d6cc1778b2878fc5854d0c78