From recognition to a united front

The momentary enthusiasm and optimism prompted by the ‘historic step’ of recognition stemmed from awareness of alarming setbacks in the revolutionary situation. However, the swift disenchantment with the Labour Government, now labelled as ‘a third bourgeois party’, meant a return to a more gloomy outlook. Zinoviev's powerful oratory during the fifth congress of Comintern in June 1924, desperately endeavouring to prove that revolutionary conditions were still building up though at a slower pace, was indicative of these reversals. The situation was defined as an ‘era of stabilization of capitalism’, characterized by a regrouping of the capitalist forces, which required a re-orientation in the activities of the communist parties and the front organizations in defence of the Soviet Union. It also paved the way for alliances with left-wing movements. In addition to the new concept of stabilization, another was introduced, that of Bolshevization, which severely limited the independent development of the different parties. They were called upon to follow the example set by the CPSU and safeguard the existence of the ‘only party to have carried out a successful revolution’.

The identification of the interests of the Soviet state with those of the Party and the gradual emergence of the CPSU as the primus inter pares weakened Narkomindel's assertion of complete detachment from Comintern. However, the point of convergence between Comintern's policy and Soviet diplomacy concerning relations with Britain had been reached during the thirteenth congress of the Party earlier in May.