Movement Against War and Fascism
Encyclopedia
The Movement Against War and Fascism (MAWF) was a Communist front organisation
founded in Australia in 1933. MAWF organised political ralies, meetings and issues to promote the cause of Communism, recruit members, supporters and activists and promote wider community support.
The MAWF was instigated by Willi Münzenberg
the German Comintern leader who founded a multitude of front organisations in his quest to spread the word and power of International Communism.
Australian members included Mary Wren whose communist sympathies ran in stark contrast to her father John Wren
's conservative Catholicism, Hugo Throssell
, and federal Labor
politician Maurice Blackburn, who was expelled from the ALP in 1937 for his membership of the MAWF. The movement instigated the events which led to the attempted exclusion of Egon Kisch from Australia in late 1934 and early 1935.
Front organization
A front organization is any entity set up by and controlled by another organization, such as intelligence agencies, organized crime groups, banned organizations, religious or political groups, advocacy groups, or corporations...
founded in Australia in 1933. MAWF organised political ralies, meetings and issues to promote the cause of Communism, recruit members, supporters and activists and promote wider community support.
The MAWF was instigated by Willi Münzenberg
Willi Münzenberg
Willi Münzenberg was a communist political activist. Münzenberg was the first head of the Young Communist International in 1919-20 and established the famine-relief and propaganda organization Workers International Relief in 1921...
the German Comintern leader who founded a multitude of front organisations in his quest to spread the word and power of International Communism.
Australian members included Mary Wren whose communist sympathies ran in stark contrast to her father John Wren
John Wren
John Wren was an Australian businessman. He has become a legendary figure thanks mainly to a fictionalised account of his life in Frank Hardy's novel Power Without Glory, which was also made into a television series...
's conservative Catholicism, Hugo Throssell
Hugo Vivian Hope Throssell
Hugo Vivian Hope Throssell VC was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
, and federal Labor
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
politician Maurice Blackburn, who was expelled from the ALP in 1937 for his membership of the MAWF. The movement instigated the events which led to the attempted exclusion of Egon Kisch from Australia in late 1934 and early 1935.