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'''American Youth Congress''' ('''AYC''') was a a coalition of  youth organizations, especially college student governments, formed in 1934. Organizations belonged to it (not individuals) and it was under Communist control.  Its main activity was a national convention—one year it notably met on the lawn of the White House. When leaders were summoned before a hostile Congressional committee in 1940, they made a rowdy display of defiance. In terms of issues, the AYC tried to prevent a draft law. When one was passed in 1940, they opposed it because it might be used against Russia's ally at the time, Nazi Germany. First Lady [[Eleanor Roosevelt]] was a vocal supporter of the AYC until it turned against her husband and attacked the [[New Deal]] in 1939-40.

'''American Youth Congress''' ('''AYC''') was a coalition of  youth organizations, especially college student governments, formed in 1934. Organizations belonged to it (not individuals) and it was under Communist control.  Its main activity was a national convention—one year it notably met on the lawn of the White House. When leaders were summoned before a hostile Congressional committee in 1940, they made a rowdy display of defiance. In terms of issues, the AYC tried to prevent a draft law. When one was passed in 1940, they opposed it because it might be used against Russia's ally at the time, Nazi Germany. First Lady [[Eleanor Roosevelt]] was a vocal supporter of the AYC until it turned against her husband and attacked the [[New Deal]] in 1939-40.

On July 4, 1936, the AYC issued a ''Declaration of the Rights of American Youth'', which addressed several issues, mainly inalienable rights issues that affected youth, and the economic issues. Most people dismissed the AYC as a puppet of the [[Communist Party of the United States]] (CPUSA); it was one of the [[Comintern]]'s most successful [[front organization]]s.  

On July 4, 1936, the AYC issued a ''Declaration of the Rights of American Youth'', which addressed several issues, mainly inalienable rights issues that affected youth, and the economic issues. Most people dismissed the AYC as a puppet of the [[Communist Party of the United States]] (CPUSA); it was one of the [[Comintern]]'s most successful [[front organization]]s.  

==Communazi era==

==Communazi era==

After August 1939, Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia were allies, and American Communists moved to support Germany and prevent American intervention in the war against Germany.  [[Joseph Lash]] was a founder and executive secretary of the [[American Student Union]] which played a major role in the AYC. Led by Lash, many non-Communist students condemned the Soviet betrayal of their anti-fascist ideals. Although Communists were a minority of the membership if the ASU, by late 1939 they held a majority of the leadership positions and exerted powerful control over the organization’s national board. Communist ASU officers condemned Lash for his views, organized a successful campaign to vote him out of office, and adopted a communist, anti–New Deal, isolationist position. Most members then quit the ASU and many joined the new anti-communist International Student Service (ISS) which Lash headed. Meanwhile the Communists used their control of the ASU to take control of the AYC.<ref>See [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,763168,00.html "Education: Pink to Red" ''TIME'' Jan. 8 1940]</ref>  Lash became a close ally of [[Eleanor Roosevelt]], and a strong supporter of President Roosevelt.

After August 1939, Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia were allies, and American Communists moved to support Germany and prevent American intervention in the war against Germany.  [[Joseph Lash]] was a founder and executive secretary of the [[American Student Union]] which played a major role in the AYC. Led by Lash, many non-Communist students condemned the Soviet betrayal of their anti-fascist ideals. Although Communists were a minority of the membership if the ASU, by late 1939 they held a majority of the leadership positions and exerted powerful control over the organization’s national board. Communist ASU officers condemned Lash for his views, organized a successful campaign to vote him out of office, and adopted a communist, anti–New Deal, isolationist position. Most members then quit the ASU and many joined the new anti-communist International Student Service (ISS) which Lash headed. Meanwhile, the Communists used their control of the ASU to take control of the AYC.<ref>See [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,763168,00.html "Education: Pink to Red" ''TIME'' Jan. 8 1940]</ref>  Lash became a close ally of [[Eleanor Roosevelt]], and a strong supporter of President Roosevelt.

Delegates to an American Youth Congress convention assembled on the south lawn of the White House in February, 1940 to hear a speech by the President.  FDR referred to a resolution, passed by one of the Youth Congress, against the granting American aid to Finland on the ground that such action was "an attempt to force America into the imperialistic war."  Roosevelt said,

Delegates to an American Youth Congress convention assembled on the south lawn of the White House in February, 1940 to hear a speech by the President.  FDR referred to a resolution, passed by one of the Youth Congress, against the granting American aid to Finland on the ground that such action was "an attempt to force America into the imperialistic war."  Roosevelt said,