The British Communist Party and Moscow, 1920-43

The relationship between the British Communist Party and Soviet communism is complex and controversial. The opening of many new archival sources since the collapse of the Soviet Union has allowed Andrew Thorpe to shed new light on this fascinating history. Placing the British Communist Party into its international and national contexts, the book traces the key stages in the development of relations between the party and Moscow. Thorpe argues that although Moscow was an important factor in the party’s development, the relationship was not dominated by the Soviets. Thorpe also illustrates the formation of the party itself, the role of Lenin and Stalin, and the party’s frequent shifts of line.