Of Tyrants and Unions

Over the last couple of weeks, since the stalemate in Wisconsin, many people, now including a US Senator have made the claim that the very first thing that tyrants, such as Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin, and Hosni Mubarak, is to disband the unions. Invoking National Socialism (Nazism), Soviet Socialism (Communism), and the Egyptian Dictatorship under Mubarak is an easy step to take, they make great talking points. One would hope that their invocation would beg the question of what happened?

In order to find the accuracy of these statements, on needs to examine the History of each separately. Tonight, I am going to focus on Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia. Both sides of the political spectrum desire to stamp their opposition to these two examples. It is the highest form of hyperbole and demeans the tragedy and suffering created by these two regimes. If we are going to move forward as a people, instead of using hyperbole we need to find a more level head in our arguments; and focus on the truth of history.



When Adolf Hitler gained power, what was the first thing he did? He consolidated power into his hands. The only other major Socialist Party in Germany were the Communists, who Hitler had hoped to incite into a Bolshevik style revolt that could be stamped down by the Nazis, thus "saving" the Republic. Through the Reichstag Fire, the Nazis were able to dupe other "moderate" Socialists into joining their cause, while at the same time delegitimizing their parties.

The Rise of Hitler, and the Third Reich, was a power struggle of different Socialist Philosophies. Hitler was a master manipulator, which would be seen again and again in the period leading to the Second World War.

As for the Unions, most of which were strongly Communist, Hitler did indeed "break" them. However, at the same time, he "broke" business. Businesses who supported Hitler were little more than government controlled puppets. Businesses who did not support Hitler were Nationalized, forcefully bought out, or outright destroyed. Former members of unions and independent business owners were forced to join the "Labour Front."

To argue that the situation in Wisconsin is anything like the rise of Hitler is dishonest and out right slander. Hitler did not pick Big Business as a winner over Labor Unions. He destroyed and consolidated both under his own power and authority. It is also important to note that the Labor Unions in Germany were indeed "labor" unions.

For the Soviet Union, unions were indeed disbanded after the Communists had gained control. However, what impact did the unions themselves have on the Red Revolution? Were they not Communists, as in Germany? They were indeed.

The Labor Unions in Russia fought side by side Lenin and Stalin, pushing for a Soviet Socialist Republic, which would be the ultimate outcome. Once that end was achieved, those who were in charge saw no need for independent unions any more. The State controlled all means of production, as were the goals of the Labor Unions and the Bolsheviks as they fought shoulder to shoulder against the Czarist Regime.

When they achieved their goals, they had to answer the question, what need was there for unions anymore? They decided there was none. Unfortunately for the workers; they discovered that the new boss wasn't particularly different from the old boss.

The story of the Labor Unions in the Soviet Union and Germany are not particularly different.

When we look at the claims of protesters in Wisconsin. They are not entirely wrong, Hitler did go after unions, but at the same time he went after business. In the Soviet Union, they did indeed go after unions, but only after business was crushed.