What did comrades read when studying imperialism in 1925? Manuel Gomez, secretary of the All-America Anti-Imperialist League, instructs. Includes course summary and reading syllabus.

‘Class on Imperialism at Chicago’s Workers’ School’ from the Daily Worker. Vol. 2 No. 258. November 11, 1925.

Beginning Tuesday evening, Nov. 17, the Chicago Workers’ School will open a class on imperialism and the national and colonial question at 19 South Lincoln street. Comrade Manuel Gomez, secretary of the All-America Anti-Imperialist League will be the instructor.

Imperialism and the problems of the revolutionary workers’ movement in fighting against it is the biggest task before us. But to prepare ourselves for this fight we must know the roots of imperialism, the perverted theories regarding it that have been doled out to the workers by social-democrats, as well as Lenin’s analysis of the nature and rule of modern imperialism. Anyone who has had some elementary training can register for the course. Enrollment must be made at once. The fee is $1- No student will be accepted after the class is organized.

Further information as to this or other courses can be obtained from Oliver Carlson, secretary Workers’ School, 19 South Lincoln.

OUTLINE

Course in Imperialism and the National Colonial Question. Instructor: M. Gomez. Course to run for three semesters of eight weeks each. Meets every Tuesday at 8 p.m., 19 South Lincoln St.

Texts: “Foundation of Imperialist Policy” by Pavlovitch: “Imperialism” by Lenin; “Lenin and Britain;” “Resolutions of Second and Fifth Congresses of C.I. on National and Colonial Questions;” “Imperialism Resolution of Workers Party.”

Ground Covered:

First Semester: Theories of Imperialism and Lenin’s Analysis of Imperialism.

Second Semester: National and Colonial Questions in Theory and Practice.

Third Semester: American Imperialism and the Problems of the Workers Party.

All students entering this course must give satisfactory evidence that they have obtained a grasp of the elementary principles of Communism. The course will include outside reading and the preparation of written papers besides the regular class work.

Outlines for First Semester.

First Week: Pavlovitch—Chap. 1 and 2. Pages 5-45. Philosophical and Historical Schools of Imperialism.

Second Week: Pavlovitch —Chap. 3, 4 and 5. Pages 46-85. Hilferding and Kautsky on Imperialism.

Third Week: Lenin, Chap. 1. Pages 9-27. Concentration of Industry and Monopoly.

Fourth Week: Lenin. Chap 2. Pages 28-45. The Banks and their New Role.

Fifth Week: Lenin. Chap 3. Pages 46-62. Finance, Capital and Oligarchy.

Sixth Week: Lenin. Chap 4, 5 and 6. Pages 63-90. Export of Capital—Division of World Among Groups of Capitalists—Among Great Powers.

Seventh Week: Lenin. Chap. 7 and 8. Pages 91-112. Imperialism—a Distinct Stage of Capitalism. Parasitism and Decay of Capitalism.

Eight Week: Lenin. Chap. 9 and 10. Pages 113-130. Criticism of, and the Historical Role of Imperialism.

Outside and Supplementary Reading:

Assignments and recommendations to be made by instructor. Use should be made of Hobson’s “Imperialism,” and his “Evolution of Modern Capitalism;” Hilferding’s “Finance Capital;’’ Varga’s “Decline of Capitalism;” Klein’s “Dynastic America;” Brailsford’s “War of Steel and Gold,” etc.

PDF of full issue: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/dailyworker/1925/1925-nat/v02b-n258-nov-11-Chi-1925-DW-mfilm.pdf