Non-Sectarian Anti-Nazi League

The Non-Sectarian Anti-Nazi League was a US organisation founded in 1933 to campaign for a boycott of Nazi Germany.

The League was originally organized in New York City as the American League for the Defense of Jewish Rights on 14 May 1933 by Dr Abram Coralnik, associate editor of the Yiddish national daily newspaper, Der Tog. In September 1933, Coralnik was replaced as President by Samuel Untermyer, a prominent corporate lawyer. Untermyer believed that a boycott would only have an impact if it was non-sectarian. The League was accordingly reorganized on 23 December 1933 as the Non-Sectarian Anti-Nazi League to Champion Human Rights.

World War Two

The League was one of a number of US anti-fascist organisations which were of interest to British intelligence during the early years of World War Two.

In a July 1941 report on the US activities of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), Sydney Morrell cited the League as one of a number of American organisations which had been "formed and acquired". Morrell stated these organisations were closely interlocked, but "On the other hand, none of the above organisations is aware of British influence, since this is maintained through a permanent official in each organisation, who in turn, is in touch with a cut-out - and never with us direct."

The league's entry on Morrell's list read:

The Non-Sectarian Anti-Nazi League. Used for the vehement exposure of enemy agents and isolationists. Prints a wide variety of pamphlets, copies of which we have sent you. Has recently begun to attack Lindbergh and the many other conscious or unconscious native fascists. The League has its headquarters in New York and a branch office in Chicago.

External Resources

• Federal Bureau of Investigation NON SECTARIAN ANTI-NAZI LEAGUE*

Articles

• Richard A. Hawkins, The internal politics of the Non-Sectarian Anti-Nazi League to Champion Human Rights, 1933-1939, Management & Organizational History 2010; 5; 251