British Communism at Home and Abroad, 1883-1991

Our New Purchasing Scheme is Open! Until 31 July 2026, you can enjoy a 20% discount on 20 of our most popular collections! ✕

Home
Series
British Communism at Home and Abroad, 1883-1991

What's Inside

The Soviet Union 1970 CPA 3964 stamp of Harry Pollitt

Introduction

Communism was one of the defining political and economic ideologies of the 20th century. This series charts its rise and fall through the eyes of the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB), allowing scholars to study how communist leaders and activists tried to influence, and were in turn influenced by, events and opinion both at home and abroad.

According to Professor Kevin Morgan of the University of Manchester, the party's archive is "one of the outstanding national collections for the political history of the British left."

Commencing in the late 19th century, this series explores the early activities of the labour movement, which led to the formation of the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) in 1920. From that point, the series traces the numerous activities of the party's leading bodies through meticulously preserved notes taken at meetings by leading party officials. In addition, there are extensive records of central departments such as the Industrial Department, which dealt with the trade union activities, and the International Department, which maintained links with communist parties overseas.

Dates Covered

1883-1997

Contributors

Archive Trust of the Communist Party of Great Britain

Collections

Showing 1–8 of 18

Photograph of a large crowd gathered around Harry Pollitt making a speech in front of a van.

Licensed to access Agitation and the Internal Politics of British Communism, 1907–1977

Contributor Archive Trust of the Communist Party of Great Britain Contents 53 Volumes, 156 Documents (14,992 Pages)

A black and white image of a crowd of people cheering and clapping their hands above their heads.

Licensed to access British Communism in Campaigns and Events, 1947–1991

Contributor Archive Trust of the Communist Party of Great Britain Contents 1 Volumes, 7 Documents (824 Pages)

A black and white photo of the Friedrich Engels statue in Manchester.

Licensed to access British Communism through Committee Work, 1926–1992

Contributor Archive Trust of the Communist Party of Great Britain Contents 12 Volumes, 31 Documents (5,098 Pages)

The monument to the Soviet writer Maxim Gorky. The statue is of Maxim Gorky sat down holding a walking stick.

Licensed to access Communism and Popular Culture in the 20th Century

Contributor Archive Trust of the Communist Party of Great Britain Contents 18 Volumes, 155 Documents (26,538 Pages)

The monument to Vladimir Mayakovsky in Moscow on Mayakovsky Square. A statue of Vladimir Mayakovsky stood looking to the right.

Licensed to access Communism, Culture, and Society in the 20th Century

Contributor Archive Trust of the Communist Party of Great Britain Contents 23 Volumes, 144 Documents (20,108 Pages)

A black and white image of John Gollan giving a speech into microphones.

Licensed to access Communism in Crisis in Britain and Abroad, 1931–1979

Contributor Archive Trust of the Communist Party of Great Britain Contents 6 Volumes, 54 Documents (8,567 Pages)

Worker and Kolkhoz Woman monument, Moscow, modern-day Russia

Licensed to access Communisms and the Cold War, 1944–1986

Contributor Archive Trust of the Communist Party of Great Britain Contents 10 Volumes, 178 Documents (14,424 Pages)

A black and white image of a statue of Marx and Engels.

Licensed to access Debate and Division on the British Left, 1917–1964

Contributor Archive Trust of the Communist Party of Great Britain Contents 3 Volumes, 12 Documents (1,220 Pages)

Showing 1 to 8 of 18 results

lock_open

Unlock Historical Research for Your Institution

Provide your students and researchers with direct access to unique primary sources.

Start your free trial Visit Sales Page