being done to meet the new and exacting requirements in these subjects. But there must be at least an equal concern for the adequacy of our education in the social sciences. And with it all, there is a compelling need to instill in younger generations a greater understanding of the values of our free society, and with such understanding, the patriotism and determination to preserve them. Special Committee of the American Bar Association on Education in the Contrast Between Liberty Under Law and Communism January 1962 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INSTRUCTION ON COMMUNISM and ITS CONTRAST WITH LIBERTY UNDER LAW THE ABA PROGRAM The House of Delegates of the American Bar Association in February 1961 unanimously adopted significant resolutions dealing with a pressing educational need. In part, these resolutions said: ". . . We encourage and support our schools and colleges in the These resolutions were adopted after careful preliminary study and consultation with eminent educational authorities.2 This program, related specifically to education in schools and colleges, supplements the broader program of the ABA carried on through its Special Committee on Communist Tactics, Strategy and Objectives. Favorable Public Reaction Following action by the House of Delegates, a Special Committee of the Association was formed "to observe and encourage progress in this educational program." In the brief period of its existence, the program of the Committee has attracted national attention. It has been well received by educators and school authorities, and the subject of widespread and favorable comment in the press. Opportunity for Bar Leadership This is a program of significant public interest. It is sound educationally, and it obviously serves our country and the cause of freedom. 'The full text of the resolutions appears in Appendix B to this pamphlet. 2Among the educators consulted in a special conference held in Washington, D. C. in January 1961 were: Dr. Fred C. Cole, William A. Early, Everett N. Luce, Rt. Rev. Monsignor William E. McManus, Dr. James W. Maucker, Dr. Paul Misner, Dr. Thomas G. Pullen, Jr., Dean Frederick D. G. Ribble, Dean John Ritchie, John M. Sexton, William E. Spaulding and R. P. Thomsen. The organized bar has both an opportunity and a responsibility to implement it. This pamphlet, prepared as a handbook for state and local bar associations, will examine (i) the need for teaching the facts on Communism, (ii) the extent to which this need is presently being met in our schools, and (iii) the ways in which the organized bar may assist educational authorities in providing appropriate courses or units on this subject.3 WHY TEACH ABOUT COMMUNISM? Is the subject of Communism important enough to be taught in our schools and colleges? One would think that this question answers itself. And yet, there are still widely varying points of view - from the few who still think there should be a law against teaching anything about Communism to those who consider that it is the single most important subject. Gravest Problem of Our Time But whatever one's view may be as to teaching in depth the truth about Communism, few would deny that it is a new and fanatical movement, with characteristics of repression and tyranny almost unintelligible to the American mind; that in less than half a century, and mainly within the past sixteen years, this movement has already gained control of one-third of the world's people; and that it has the will, and avidly seeks the final means, to destroy freedom everywhere. Likewise, few would deny that the gravest problems of our time result, directly or indirectly, from the International Communist movement as led and directed by the Soviet and Chinese dictators, and from their determination to impose Communist rule throughout the world. As this pamphlet is being written, the world-wide threat of the Communist movement has focused primarily on Berlin. Impatient Soviet 3 Although the ABA Resolutions encompass education at all levels, this pamphlet is directed primarily to instruction in the public and private secondary schools. The need is certainly no less in the colleges, but the greater opportunity for service by the organized bar at this time is believed to be at the secondary level -working directly with state and local boards of education. But emphasis on the secondary schools should not preclude encouragement of college faculties and trustees to move vigorously to strengthen their curricula as recommended herein. leaders, pressing for a major victory there, have added to the false face of "peaceful coexistence" an attempt to terrorize humanity by atomic blackmail. When this crisis is resolved, it will be followed by others-as the Communists choose to create them-all as calculated steps in their drive for world domination.* These are the harsh and almost incredible facts of the mid-twentieth century. This is the situation which has brought the world perilously close to the brink of destruction-a situation which might well have been avoided had the free people of America and throughout the world comprehended in our time the truth about Communism. National Self-Interest 5 Belatedly, the need for thorough education on the Communist movement is now becoming recognized. There are, broadly speaking, two underlying reasons for this need. The first is national self-interest and the very survival of freedom. As Dr. Sidney Hook recently said: "In order to survive, the free world must acquire a more sophisticated knowledge of Communism . . . The task must be shouldered primarily by scholars and educators. . . on the appropriate levels of our educational system. . ." America, the champion of freedom under law and the only nation strong enough to oppose Communist power, is the prime target of the Soviet Union and the world-wide conspiracy which it directs. At best, America faces many years-if not many decades-of continued conflict with this determined enemy. There are no easy solutions or short cuts to dramatic "victory." This is a new type of world conflict, little under *Although this pamphlet emphasizes the grave external threat to our country, a study of the facts as to Communist tactics and strategy will show the importance attributed by Red leaders to internal subversion in America and other western countries. The Communist Party, USA, is the official arm of the International Communist movement within the United States. Taking astute advantage of the very freedoms which they seek to destroy, the CPUSA and its adherents and dupes do all that they can to aid and abet the Communist conspiracy. See, for the most authoritative documentation of Communist internal subversion, J. Edgar Hoover, Masters of Deceit, Holt, Rhinehart & Winston, Inc., 1958, New York City. As early as 1952 the National Education Association adopted a resolution saying, in part: “As a measure of defense against our most potent threat, our American schools should teach about Communism and all forms of totalitarianism, including the principles and practices of the Communist Party in the United States." The New York Times, July 5, 1952. But despite this 1952 resolution, relatively few separate units or courses on Communism have been included in school curricula. Dr. Sidney Hook (head of Philosophy Department, New York University), Saturday Review, December 31, 1960. |