First Congress of the Communist International

The First Congress of the Communist International, also known as Comintern, was convened in Moscow in March 1919. This event was organized with the assistance of prominent figures such as Zinoviev, Nikolai Bukharin, Leon Trotsky, Christian Rakovsky, and Angelica Balabanoff. The congress aimed to promote international communist solidarity and coordinate efforts among socialist parties worldwide. However, the representation at the congress was limited, as most delegates were from the countries of the former Russian Empire. Many international delegates were not recognized by their respective socialist parties, which affected the congress's legitimacy and outreach. The Bolshevik Party, having established control over the proceedings, played a dominant role in shaping the agenda and discussions. Lenin, a key figure in the Bolshevik movement, authored a series of regulations that stipulated that only those socialist parties that aligned with Bolshevik ideology could join the Comintern. This move effectively centralized power within the organization and limited the diversity of socialist thought within the international movement.