"Friends of the Russian Revolution"

Friends of the Russian Revolution, the first American pro-Soviet public organization. It was also known as the “Friends of New Russia”. It was created in December 1917 in order to support the demands of Soviet Russia on the immediate conclusion of a "peace without annexations and indemnities" (see Brest Peace ). Over the next years, changed several names. Not being de jure successors of the “Friends of the Russian Revolution”, the new public organizations maintained the original pro-Soviet orientation of their activities, setting goals that more accurately reflect the demands of the times.

At the beginning of 1918 , taking into account new circumstances and new tasks, the Friends of the Russian Revolution was replaced by the public organization League for Recognizing Soviet Russia (Russian League for Recognizing Soviet Russia, also the Russian Soviet Recognition League), from the first days of its existence launched mass rallies and conferences under the slogans “Recognize the Soviet Government of Russia!”, and later - “Stop the intervention !”.

At a mass rally organized in New York City under the auspices of the League in February 1918, it was decided to create the "American Red Guard" to participate in the "class battles in Russia" on the side of the Soviet government. The active initiators of the creation of these organizations and the holding of mass performances were John Reid , Bill Haywood , A. R. Williams , A. Trachtenberg and others. In July 1919 , the non-partisan voluntary public organization League of Friends of Soviet Russia was formed. of Soviet Russia), which declared its goal "to ensure a fair attitude to the Russian people." In a petition sent to the US Congress , she appealed to take measures to lift the blockade of Soviet Russia and decide on the recall of all American troops from its territory. On August 9, 1921 , a new organization was created - Friends of Soviet Russia, which took an active part in organizing the sending of American volunteers to Russia to provide it with technical assistance. By the end of 1921 , it had 140 branches in the cities of the USA and Canada .