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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 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.  

By 1939 the movement claimed 4,697,915 members in 513 affiliated organizations nationwide.  The same year the [[HUAC|Dies Committee]] subpoenaed leaders of the AYC, consisting of a core from the [[Young Communist League]]. [[Eleanor Roosevelt]] was in attendance at the hearings and afterwards invited the subpoenaed witnesses to board at the White House during their stay in Washington D.C.  The First Lady went so far as to lobby the Committee to not brand the AYC as a [[Communist front]] organization.<ref>House Committee on Un-American Activities, 1940-41.</ref>   

By 1939 the movement claimed 4,697,915 members in 513 affiliated organizations nationwide.  The same year the [[HUAC|Dies Committee]] subpoenaed leaders of the AYC, consisting of a core from the [[Young Communist League]]. [[Eleanor Roosevelt]] was in attendance at the hearings and afterwards invited the subpoenaed witnesses to board at the White House during their stay in Washington D.C.  The First Lady went so far as to lobby the Committee to not brand the AYC as a [[Communist front]] organization.<ref>House Committee on Un-American Activities, 1940-41.</ref>   

[[Joseph P. Lash]], who later married [[Trude Lash]], was among AYC's leadership. <ref>[http://www.nps.gov/archive/elro/glossary/american-youth-congress.htm American Youth Congress], Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, Hyde Park New York.</ref>  Lash, who described his defection in 1937 from the [[Socialist Party]] in the Communist weekly, ''[[New Masses]]'', was one of the boarders at the White House during the hearings.  Another officer, Abbott Simon, staff member of the [[CPUSA]] publication, ''Champion'', slept for two weeks in Lincoln's bed during the hearings.

[[Joseph P. Lash]], who later married [[Trude Lash]], was among AYC's leadership.<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/archive/elro/glossary/american-youth-congress.htm American Youth Congress], Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, Hyde Park New York.</ref>  Lash, who described his defection in 1937 from the [[Socialist Party]] in the Communist weekly, ''[[New Masses]]'', was one of the boarders at the White House during the hearings.  Another officer, Abbott Simon, staff member of the [[CPUSA]] publication, ''Champion'', slept for two weeks in Lincoln's bed during the hearings.

==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,

==References==

==References==

<references/>

<references/>

*California Legislature, Joint Fact Finding Committee, Fourth Report, Un-American Activities in California, 1948: Communist Front Organizations; (Sacramento, CA, 1948) p. 180.

*California Legislature, Joint Fact Finding Committee, Fourth Report, Un-American Activities in California, 1948: Communist Front Organizations; (Sacramento, CA, 1948) p.&nbsp;180.

*John T. Flynn, ''The Roosevelt Myth'', (New York: Devin-Adair, 1948)

*John T. Flynn, ''The Roosevelt Myth'', (New York: Devin-Adair, 1948)