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During the tense decades of the Cold War, numerous organizations emerged to combat what they perceived as the existential danger of global communism. Among these was the Christian Anti-Communism Crusade (CACC), which presented itself as both an educational institution and a moral bulwark against atheistic Marxism. This pamphlet—titled “What Is the Christian Anti-Communism Crusade?”—was distributed to clarify the group’s foundational beliefs, goals, and activities.
Historical Context
Founded in 1953 by Dr. Fred Schwarz, the CACC quickly expanded its reach in the United States, propelled by Cold War anxieties over communist expansion. Framing its mission through a Christian lens, the organization emphasized that communism was antithetical to both American ideals and the religious principles held by many citizens. Against a backdrop of Red Scare investigations, nuclear brinkmanship, and ideological propaganda, the CACC’s literature gave congregations and communities a set of talking points and educational programs designed to promote vigilance and activism.
Strategy and Rationale
- Moral and Religious Imperative – The Crusade’s core premise was that communism was inherently “evil” and “atheistic,” thereby obligating devout Christians to resist it on theological as well as patriotic grounds.
- Educational Outreach – Through brochures, lectures, and “schools” on anti-communism, the organization offered materials and forums intended to simplify communist ideology for a general audience. Dr. Schwarz viewed the group’s mission much like a physician battling a disease—communism being the perceived malady that threatened global health.
- Nonpolitical, Nonsectarian Claim – The pamphlet pledged not to judge noncommunist organizations or individuals and insisted it did not advocate for specific legislative or policy measures. This positioning served to present the CACC as purely informational rather than a partisan campaign.
Language, Imagery, and Symbolism
- Stark Good vs. Evil Framing: Bold statements—such as “Communism exists. It is evil. It proposes to conquer the world.”—heightened the sense of urgency.
- Global Map Motif: The pamphlet’s world map visually underscored that communist activity had international scope, reinforcing the notion of a worldwide threat in need of unified Christian resistance.
- Quasi-Medical Metaphor: Dr. Schwarz styled himself as a “diagnostician,” casting the CACC’s work as a scientific, methodical effort to expose and defeat an ideological epidemic.
Efficacy and Long-Term Significance
While it is difficult to quantify how much the CACC influenced national policy, the organization undeniably played a role in shaping grassroots anti-communist sentiment in the U.S. By blending faith-based convictions with Cold War fears, the pamphlet and related media forged a fervent following. Over time, many of the Crusade’s members and sympathizers contributed to the rise of the New Right in the 1970s and 1980s, leveraging social conservatism and anti-communist rhetoric to shape political discourse. The CACC also demonstrated how religious groups could become potent vehicles for foreign policy advocacy—an influence that continues to echo in various faith-based political movements today.
Special thanks to the USC Digital Imaging Lab for their support in digitizing this item.
