Tie Vapauteen
Encyclopedia
Tie Vapauteen, was a Finnish-American monthly magazine published by Finnish members of the Industrial Workers of the World
(IWW) from 1919 to 1937. Tie Vapauteen advanced an explicitly anarcho-syndicalist position marked a Marxian economic and class analysis
. The magazine featured regular analysis of American industry, working life, and political commentary alongside poetry, fiction, and humour. The publication was also closely tied to the Finnish Work People's College
in Duluth, Minnesota
, and would occasionally publish English language articles written by Work Peoples' College students. Industrialisti
was the magazine's sister publication, a daily Finnish-language IWW newspaper published between 1918 to 1975, at its peak appearing as a daily publication with a print-run of approximately 10 000 copies.
In 1921, the magazine was moved from New York
to Chicago
. "One of the substantial reasons for the above action, was the effort to undo the antipathy that the publication had created by publishing articles either too critical of the 3rd International, on the one hand, or lacking discretion in lauding the aims and purposes of political enthusiasts, on the other, which seriously threatened the existence of the magazine. The circulation of the publication, which at its best ranged from 5,000 to 6,000, came down scarcely 3,500. It was at this figure when the G. E. B. [General Executive Board] took it over; since then it has recuperated and now with the May issue reaches the 6,500 mark. This is apparently due to the changes made in editorial policy, and the moral backing of Headquarters, which has increased the circulation in general."
Between the years of 1936 and 1937, when Tie Vapauteen ceased publication, several indepth articles on the Spanish Civil War
were printed. Several articles were re-printed Finnish translations of pieces that had been written by journalists on the ground in Spain.
It was also admitted that contradictory and conflicting information was coming from Spain, and it was difficult to assess the actual situation. Editorial pieces, however, did understand the conflict as a battle in the global class struggle, victory for the Spanish proletariat over fascism was victory for the international proletariat. In one instance, the Popular Front
government was criticized for refusing to arm syndicalist workers at a crucial stage in the early stages of the nationalist uprising, concluding that "Governments are moved by nothing more than remaining in the seat of power." The conflict is consistently described as a regrettable affair, and the war is not romanticized. There appears to be no open call for volunteers to join the International Brigades
, however, economic organization is advanced as a weapon particularly in nations supplying arms to the nationalist cause.
Interestingly, there is no mention of the anarchosyndicalist seizure and de facto control of Republican Spain's industry. This underlines the fact that precious little information was coming outside of the dominant or Stalinist/Liberal press, as the I.W.W. naturally identified and were sympathetic to the methods and aims of the Confederación Nacional del Trabajo
(CNT) and Federación Anarquista Ibérica
(FAI).
Industrial Workers of the World
The Industrial Workers of the World is an international union. At its peak in 1923, the organization claimed some 100,000 members in good standing, and could marshal the support of perhaps 300,000 workers. Its membership declined dramatically after a 1924 split brought on by internal conflict...
(IWW) from 1919 to 1937. Tie Vapauteen advanced an explicitly anarcho-syndicalist position marked a Marxian economic and class analysis
Class analysis
Class analysis is research in sociology, politics and economics from the point of view of the stratification of the society into dynamic classes...
. The magazine featured regular analysis of American industry, working life, and political commentary alongside poetry, fiction, and humour. The publication was also closely tied to the Finnish Work People's College
Work People's College
A Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church of America folk school founded, September 1903, in Minneapolis, Minnesota served as a predecessor for Work People's College...
in Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
, and would occasionally publish English language articles written by Work Peoples' College students. Industrialisti
Industrialisti
Industrialisti was a Finnish-language newspaper published from Duluth, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1914 under the same Sosialisti, the newspaper was politically linked to the Industrial Workers of the World. It was published daily, but was converted into a fortnigthly in its later...
was the magazine's sister publication, a daily Finnish-language IWW newspaper published between 1918 to 1975, at its peak appearing as a daily publication with a print-run of approximately 10 000 copies.
In 1921, the magazine was moved from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. "One of the substantial reasons for the above action, was the effort to undo the antipathy that the publication had created by publishing articles either too critical of the 3rd International, on the one hand, or lacking discretion in lauding the aims and purposes of political enthusiasts, on the other, which seriously threatened the existence of the magazine. The circulation of the publication, which at its best ranged from 5,000 to 6,000, came down scarcely 3,500. It was at this figure when the G. E. B. [General Executive Board] took it over; since then it has recuperated and now with the May issue reaches the 6,500 mark. This is apparently due to the changes made in editorial policy, and the moral backing of Headquarters, which has increased the circulation in general."
Between the years of 1936 and 1937, when Tie Vapauteen ceased publication, several indepth articles on the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
were printed. Several articles were re-printed Finnish translations of pieces that had been written by journalists on the ground in Spain.
It was also admitted that contradictory and conflicting information was coming from Spain, and it was difficult to assess the actual situation. Editorial pieces, however, did understand the conflict as a battle in the global class struggle, victory for the Spanish proletariat over fascism was victory for the international proletariat. In one instance, the Popular Front
Popular Front (Spain)
The Popular Front in Spain's Second Republic was an electoral coalition and pact signed in January 1936 by various left-wing political organisations, instigated by Manuel Azaña for the purpose of contesting that year's election....
government was criticized for refusing to arm syndicalist workers at a crucial stage in the early stages of the nationalist uprising, concluding that "Governments are moved by nothing more than remaining in the seat of power." The conflict is consistently described as a regrettable affair, and the war is not romanticized. There appears to be no open call for volunteers to join the International Brigades
International Brigades
The International Brigades were military units made up of volunteers from different countries, who traveled to Spain to defend the Second Spanish Republic in the Spanish Civil War between 1936 and 1939....
, however, economic organization is advanced as a weapon particularly in nations supplying arms to the nationalist cause.
Interestingly, there is no mention of the anarchosyndicalist seizure and de facto control of Republican Spain's industry. This underlines the fact that precious little information was coming outside of the dominant or Stalinist/Liberal press, as the I.W.W. naturally identified and were sympathetic to the methods and aims of the Confederación Nacional del Trabajo
Confederación Nacional del Trabajo
The Confederación Nacional del Trabajo is a Spanish confederation of anarcho-syndicalist labor unions affiliated with the International Workers Association . When working with the latter group it is also known as CNT-AIT...
(CNT) and Federación Anarquista Ibérica
Federación Anarquista Ibérica
The Federación Anarquista Ibérica is a Spanish organization of anarchist militants active within affinity groups inside the Confederación Nacional del Trabajo trade union. It is often abbreviated as CNT-FAI because of the close relationship between the two organizations...
(FAI).