The Other Mind June 2020  61 THE HUNDRED YEARS OF COMINTERN (1919-2019) A Brief Appraisal with Reference to Its Colonial Policies Dr. Bikash Ranjan Deb The Socialist Revolution of 1917 led to the establishment of two opposing systems, socialism and capitalism and, consequently, the Marxists started thinking about the necessity of effective forms of co-ordination between the revolutionaries of different countries. In December 1918, the Russian Communists appealled to the Communists of other countries to unite in a Third Communist International. Hence, the setting up of the Third Communist International, or Comintern in Moscow in 1919 – a new proletarian international, which, according to Lenin, would begin the task of implementing the dictatorship of the proletariat. The Communist International tried to turn itself as the vanguard of the revolutionary forces of the whole world. It planned the world strategy of communist movement involving both the West and the East. As a political force, the Comintern conducted ideological fight against capitalism, fascism, imperialist oppression and war. The history of the Comintern, in short, was ‘proletarian internationalism’ in action. It was dissolved in 1943. But, during its 24 years of existence, the Third International did immense work in strengthening and uniting communist parties in all possible ways and, thereby, gave birth to a strong revolutionary working-class movement. So, it is pertinent to take a stock of its activities after hundred years of its foundation. History before 1919 There were two earlier internationals, a first and a second, in whose history we can trace the evolution and continuity of Marxism. Prior to the formation of First International in 1864, there were a number of small “secret societies” which were engaged in revolutionary activity, and from time to time, attempted to coordinate their activities across national borders.