"In the Case of Morris U. Schappes"
Item
Title
"In the Case of Morris U. Schappes"
Description
This page from a mid-1941 pamphlet was created to support recently fired and sentenced City College English instructor Morris Schappes. A self-confessed Communist, Schappes had appeared before the Rapp-Coudert Committee, a N.Y. State organized communist-hunt group, on March 6, 1941.
At his hearing, Schappes admitted to prior membership in the Communist Party. When the committee demanded he name other party members at CCNY, Schappes claimed there were only ever four in addition to himself: three of whom had been killed in the Spanish Civil War and another that had already left the school.
Unfortunately for Schappes, officials had previously received testimony to the contrary from an ex-communist history instructor turned friendly witness. Soon thereafter, the committee recommended to the Manhattan district attorney that Schappes be tried for perjury. As this pamphlet shows, he was convicted and sentenced for up to two years in prison. Ultimately, he would serve thirteen and a half months, all the while collecting support from activists on campus.
At his hearing, Schappes admitted to prior membership in the Communist Party. When the committee demanded he name other party members at CCNY, Schappes claimed there were only ever four in addition to himself: three of whom had been killed in the Spanish Civil War and another that had already left the school.
Unfortunately for Schappes, officials had previously received testimony to the contrary from an ex-communist history instructor turned friendly witness. Soon thereafter, the committee recommended to the Manhattan district attorney that Schappes be tried for perjury. As this pamphlet shows, he was convicted and sentenced for up to two years in prison. Ultimately, he would serve thirteen and a half months, all the while collecting support from activists on campus.
Contributor
Smith, Carol
Creator
Schappes Defense Committee
Date
1941
Language
English
Relation
4072
3922
3902
Rights
Obtained from Contributor - Copyright Unknown
Source
CCNY Archives & Special Collections
Original Format
Flier / Leaflet (1 or 2 page handout)
Schappes Defense Committee. Letter. 1940. “‘In the Case of Morris U. Schappes’”. 4072, 1940, CUNY DIGITAL HISTORY ARCHIVE, accessed March 10, 2026, https://stephenz.tailc22a4b.ts.net/s/cdha/item/557