"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)
Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] First Congress of the Communist International: Proposal and the Constitution (Proposal to Constitute the Communist International)

[Place]
[Date] March 4, 1919
[Source] Modern International Relations: Basic Documents, Volume 1, Kajima Institute of International Peace, pp.763-764.
[Notes]
[Full text]

The representatives of the Communist Party of German Austria, the Left Social-democratic Party of Sweden, the Balkan Social-democratic Revolutionary Labour Federation, and the Communist Party of Hungary move a proposal to found the Communist International.

1. The importance of the struggle for the dictatorship of the proletariat requires a single, close-knit, international organisation of all Communists who agree with this platform.

2. The organisation of such a centre is all the more our duty at the present time because an attempt is being made in Berne to recreate the old opportunist International and reunite all the confused and wavering elements of the proletariat, and similar attempts may be made elsewhere in the future. This is why it is essential to draw a sharp distinction between the revolutionary proletarian elements and the social-traitors.

3. Were the conference in session in Moscow not to found the Third International the conclusion might be drawn that the Communist Parties are not in accord. This would weaken our position and deepen the confusion among the irresolute proletarian elements in all countries.

4. The constitution of the Third International is thereofore, undoubtedly, an historic necessity and must be realised by the Communist conference in session in Moscow.

Constitution of the Communist International (4 March 1919)

The international Communist conference resolves to constitute itself the Third International and take the name the Communist International. Voting rights remain unchanged. All parties, organisations and groups are given a period of eight months in which officially to declare their adherence to the Third International.