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Introduction
The period that followed the second world was characterized by an ideological war between capitalism and communism. This essay is based on the book ‘Under a Cruel Star’, written by Heda Margolius Kovály. It details the author’s experiences during the Nazi detention and those of her husband Rudolf Margolius. The essay interrogates the reasons for the decision to join the communist movement by the two characters. The paper also provides explanations for the decision of the government to turn against them despite earlier support.
Why Heda and Rudolf Supported Communist Party
Murder of Rudolf Margolius’ Parents in Concentration Camps
Supporting and joining the Communist Party and in extension, the ideology of Communism was a personal decision for Rudolf Margolius. His parents and immediate family had suffered at the hands of the Nazis, experiencing torture and eventual death. The demise of his parents was a major reason for Rudolf to support communism with the hope of preventing that from happening to anyone else in Czechoslovak (Kovály 1986). The death of his parents angered him and made him despair immensely. The experiences of Rudolf’s wife, Heda, were also a motivating factor for him to support communism. The movement assured his partner of security from the Nazis who had already mistreated her during her capture. Additionally, the spouse had encountered difficulties securing aid from her friends who feared contravening the law by harboring an escapee. The trauma encountered by the wife during these difficult periods saddened him as she was the love of his life. He hoped that his support for communism would guarantee her a better future together with those she cared about, so her friends would never be forced to betray her again.
War Experiences and Mistreatment of People in Concentration Camps
The Nazi concentration camps were amongst the most lethal places Rudolf had ever experienced. These areas were characterized by massive numbers of prisoners of similar descent as Margolius. The people were subjected to immense suffering while in detention, being denied their freedom and their ability to live decent lives. while within the concentration camps, people suffered from diseases, hunger, and oppression. Rudolf witnessed scores of people go for long periods without food and this made their appearances unfit. The treatment of these people was inhumane by the Nazi soldiers who tortured those who attempted to escape. Some of the captured escapees were seized and executed by the Nazi soldiers. Some of the sick prisoners also died after deterioration due to neglect and poor healthcare by the Nazis. These first-hand accounts of life as prisoners under Nazi rule convicted Margolius to believe that he could make a difference by joining a faction that promoted change and promised to join a difference. The trauma from the experiences convinced Rudolf that such was not an ordeal he wanted to relive in the future.
The Hope of Instituting a Better Future for the Country
Rudolf hoped that communism would better the country and enhance its political and economic strength. These improvements would make the country suitable for inhibition by its citizens without fear of persecution. He quickly ascended ranks in the government and was involved in massive policy decisions that improved trade for his country. He hoped that making trade deals with other countries, notably the UK, would enhance his country’s fiscal capacity and improve the livelihoods of his people. He wanted to get his ordeals behind him and better the future for citizens of Czechoslovak that would come after him. Bettering the economy also amounted to improving his country’s ability to defend its citizens against aggressors such as the Nazis. His experiences while in charge of war refugees’ camps were also revealing about the state of life his people led. He wanted to better their welfare and solidify his nation’s position in various regional and international affairs. Margolius also hoped that his involvement in the party meant that people would never be discriminated against based on their beliefs and origins.
Support for her Husband
Heda, on the other hand, did not support communism out of her conviction. She supported the movement due to the deep affection and belief she had for her husband Rudolf. She wanted to believe in the vision her husband had for their nation and all the dreams he shared with her. She was willing to support his cause because she had total faith in his judgment and ability. Additionally, her own experiences in the concentration camps and the hands of the Nazis reinforced this belief. She had lost all her blood relatives and was the only surviving member of her family. Additionally, most of her friends had deserted her during her hour of need when she needed support due to fear of Nazi repercussions. They feared that harboring a war criminal would be disastrous for themselves and endanger their lives. the reinforced betrayal forced her to adopt the position of any party willing to change the status quo and which promised to make a difference in her life. The Soviet Union freed Prague from the control of the Nazis and Rudolf believed in their cause.
Why the Movement Turned against Them
Rudolf Margolius was accused of a conspiracy to trade with capitalist countries, alongside others. The accusations came after a successful trade agreement was signed with representatives of the British government. The trade agreement was signed by Rudolf in his capacity as the Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Trade. Within the agreement, the Czechoslovak government was more likely to benefit compared to the British government. The Czechoslovak government congratulated Rudolf and promised to reward all the people who facilitated the commerce deal. His arrest heavily borrowed from convictions of the Soviet Union against capitalist countries. The Soviet Union was heavily based in Moscow, Russia, and was the headquarters of the Communism ideology. Britain was a heavily capitalist country and the differences in ideology between the two countries meant that relations were somewhat tense. Trade was difficult between these nations and they rarely made deals during the post-world war 2 periods.
The Soviet Union and other members of the Communist Party in Czechoslovak accused Rudolf of facilitating trade deals with capitalist nations and defrauding his nation of large sums of money. Alongside other alleged conspirators, Rudolf was charged and later on sentenced to death, although some of his alleged colleagues were pardoned. Many years after his death, the government sought to exonerate him and declare his innocence despite being absent. The acceptance of error years after his death indicates that the government had made a rash and unjust decision in executing an innocent man trying to advance his nation. It suffices that the government did not necessarily execute Rudolf for his error but instead as a strategy geared towards promoting fear. Peddling fear was the classic capitalist approach to parties they regarded uncompliant to their regime. They also wanted to avoid defeat in the ideological war by the many western countries that supported capitalism. It was only possible for the Soviet Union to foster its position in global politics by ensuring it remained steadfast in controlling the ideologies of the region.
Heda was massively mistreated upon the death of Rudolf due to her proximity to her husband. She had not made any incriminating decisions but was instead persecuted for her husband’s alleged association with capitalist countries. The insinuation was that she was part of the alleged treachery and she supported him in the quest to defy the Soviet Union. She lost her apartment and her job as she was related to a people’s enemy and suffered from illness. When she became unemployed and homeless, she suffered discrimination for her state from her compatriots. She raised their son Ivan Margolius in impoverished conditions as the Communist party denied her access to employment and socially shunned her. She was considered a traitor and an enemy of the state and was treated as such by both the government and citizens.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ‘Under a Cruel Star is a tragic tale of pain, suffering, despair, and hope which highlights the events that occurred after the second world war. The focus on reasons why Heda and Rudolf Margolius joined communists include belief in the Soviet Union that rescued them and the role of the Communist Party. Additionally, the experiences Rudolf had including the death of his parents and persecution of his compatriots were a driving factor. The hope for a better nation was a driving force and he hoped to ensure his people never experience the same. Heda showed support for her husband’s cause by supporting communism and with the hope that personal experiences would never occur again. The two were mistreated by the same regime they supported due to suspicion of conspiracy which was later discredited by the same government which exonerated Rudolf.
Reference
Kovály Heda Margolius. 1986. Under a Cruel Star: A Life in Prague 1941-1968. Cambridge, Ma: Plunkett Lake Press.
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