1943 Dissolution of the Comintern

75 years ago, on May 15, 1943, the Communist (Third) International was dissolved. Stalin justified the need for this step as follows:

“Experience has shown that both under Marx and Lenin, and even now, it is impossible to lead the workers’ movement in all countries of the world from one international center. Especially now, in conditions of war, when the communist parties in Germany, Italy and other countries defeatist tactics, while the communist parties of the USSR, Britain and America and others, on the contrary, have the task of supporting their governments in every possible way for the speedy defeat of the enemy.

There is another motive for the dissolution of the CI. The CI's Communist parties are falsely accused of being alleged agents of a foreign state, and this hinders their work among the broad masses. With the dissolution of CI, this trump card is knocked out of the hands of enemies. The step being taken will undoubtedly strengthen the Communist Parties as national workers' parties and at the same time strengthen the internationalism of the popular masses, the basis of which is the Soviet Union.

By dissolving the Comintern, Stalin wanted to make it clear to the Western allies that he was no longer in the business of exporting revolution.