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	c1928-1958
	Collection
	This collection includes membership applications, minutes, reports, correspondence and publications.
	7 boxes
	The Socialist Vanguard Group was established in the United Kingdom in 1929 as the British Section of the Internationaler Sozialistischer Kampf-Bund, also known under the Esperanto title of Internacio de Socialista Kunbatalo (ISK), (International League of Militant Socialists or Militant Socialist International) in Germany. The ISK had evolved in 1926 from the Internationaler Jugendbund, a small educational group of members of the main German Left parties led by the philosopher Leonard Nelson (1882 - 1927). The English group was never large, but had an influence disproportionate to its size, one of its members, Allan Flanders, subsequently becoming a national figure as an industrial relations adviser. Following the dissolution of the ISK as a political movement in 1946, the SVG continued as an independent body. But the belief grew among its membership that a change of approach was required, and it was formally dissolved in October 1950. It was succeeded in 1951 by Socialist Union, which was intended to be a more orthodox and broadly-based 'ginger group' within the Labour Party. Reference: Accession file for MSS.173; Mary Saran, 'Never give up', London, 1976 (copy in Modern Records Centre searchroom); Geoff Spencer, 'Beloved alien', [A rememberance of Walter Fliess], printed privately, 1985 (MSS.173/20/8); R M Douglas, 'No Friend of Democracy: The Socialist Vanguard Group, 1941–50', Contemporary British History, 16: 4, 51 — 86 (2002).
	The reference codes of these records have been determined by their physical order rather than their catalogue order.
	All published references to Socialist Vanguard material must include an acknowledgement to the depositor, Dr Rene Saran.
	Open
	The Modern Records Centre also holds records of: Socialist Union, the successor of the SVG; 'Socialist Vanguard/Socialist Commentary', the official organ of the SVG until October 1947; the Society for the Furtherance of Critical Philosophy; Walter Fliess, member of the ISK and the Socialist Union.
	English German

Applications and re-applications for membership in the form of personal statements, with statements from sponsors SVG and other publications mainly published by the International Publishing Company. Half-yearly and other reports on the SVG's work and the British political situation Reports on work of SVG (in German) 'ISK', journal of the International League of Militant Socialists, volume 1 number 5 Discussions in Brunswick on English politics and relations with the Labour Party 'The Militant Socialist International - its aim, methods and constitution.' Correspondence about Esperanto publications Various leaflets Tea Plantations Campaign Committee to secure trade union rights for employees on English and Scottish Co-operative Society plantations in Ceylon [later Sri Lanka] - Amy Moore SVG and other publications mainly published by the International Publishing Company. Circulars 'Germany speaks', 1940; 'Renaissance', 1941; 'Europe speaks', 1942-1947 Papers on the future of British Socialism (by Allan Flanders), trade unions and politics, the idea of liberty (by David Fryd) and Russian Foreign Policy (by Charlie Buckner); reports on unofficial shop stewards' movements, Aug 1944 Paper on the political, economic and cultural structure of the Socialist republic 'Fundamental': cuttings, articles (some in German), etc about political concepts ISK (International League of Militant Socialists)/SVG reports SVG circulars and items relating to SVG. Russia: typescript essays by Allan Flanders, Edith Moore, Mary Saran, M Litauer and others; ISK (International League of Militant Socialists) booklet 'Russia & the Comintern', 1942 SVG administrative documents, including constitutions and rules Script of May Day play SVG circulated national letters to supporters Easter conferences SVG reports on various policy areas, including of weekend courses and summer schools Discussions on future of SVG Vegetarianism in the army and other aspects of army life Leonard Nelson Memorial weekend, 1942, meeting, 1947. Programmes of memorial meetings in memory of : Leonard Nelson, Amy Moore, David Fryd and Edith Moore (2 copies) Reports on philosophical courses Executive committee minutes and agenda, with a few related items SVG executive correspondence London branch minutes, reports and correspondence Rules of London branch: drafts and amendments Editions of 'The N.Z. Rationalist', official organ of the Rationalist Association and Sunday Freedom League, New Zealand, containing four-part article by Edith Moore entitled 'No friend of democracy', criticising the Roman Catholic Church's relationship with Fascism Dartmouth Road community house SVG finances Discussions of basic convictions and abstinence from alcohol Reports, 1948 and nd Papers concerning statement on Immediate Tasks Articles by Edith Moore in 'Janata', the organ of the Socialist Party (India) Correspondence with Inland Revenue Papers in German concerning memorandum on philosophy by Grete Henry-Hermann SVG dissolution: trust deed