This is an article describing delegates at the Youth Confab Session from around the world pledging to support former colonies in their struggle for independence. These delegates met at Vassar College and the pledge they signed was called the “Vassar Pact.” While Vassar College was not officially apart of this conversation, it is interesting that this meeting took place on campus. Vassar historically was an all-white, elite institution that benefited from colonialism. The campus being used as the spot to fight against colonialism is extremely interesting and shows a small shift in mindset.
Full Article
Vassar Pact Pledges Aid to Minorities: Youth Delegates Rap Exploitation of Small States
The Chicago Defender (National edition) (1921-1967);
Sep 3, 1938;
ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Chicago Defender
pg. 3
Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Sept. 2—Support for national and racial minorities and the colonial peoples in their struggle for national independence is pledged by the “Vassar pact” signed at the closing session of the second World Youth Congress at Vassar College, here by representatives of youth organizations in 47 countries.
The signatories pledged to do all in their power “to bring aggression to an end, give assistance to victims of treaty violations, and refrain from financial or economic assistance to aggressor nations.”
Delegates from Ethiopia, China, Czechoslovakia and Austria received thunderous ovations, while the delegates shouted “vive I’espagne” when the young delegate from Spain, carrying the Spanish Republican banner, came forward to sign the pact in the name of the embattled youth of his country.
S. Del Anag. a delegate from Mampong, on the Gold Coast of Africa, told the commission on the cultural and economic status of youth that American movies had given the world a false impression of his people, who have a culture of their own to offer the world.
The delegates of Great Britain, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and India issued a statement condemning the British government for its “departure from League obligations to Ethiopia, Spain and the Far East,” and called for embargoes on war materials to aggressor states.
Vassar Pact Pledges to Aid Minorities original article (PDF, 26KB)
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