James P. Cannon

Released
Date of birth:11. 02. 1890
Date of death:21. 08. 1974
Age:84† Deceased
Gender:Male
Race:White
Era:1940s
State:Minnesota
Time Imprisoned:
3 Years 1 Month 7 Days
Support
Communism
James P. Cannon

Biography

National Secretary of the Socialist Workers Party (SWP); leading figure in American Trotskyism. Born in Rosedale, Kansas; founded CPUSA before being expelled in 1928 for supporting Trotsky. Co-founded the SWP in 1938. Convicted under the Smith Act in 1941 for opposing US entry into WWII; testimony published as the classic "Socialism on Trial" (1942). 16 months federal prison.

Case

FCI Sandstone
Charges: Conspiracy to advocate the overthrow of the U.S. government by force; advocating insubordination in the armed forces (Smith Act / Alien Registration Act of 1940, 18 U.S.C. § 2385).
Arrested: Jul 14, 1941
Sentenced: Dec 7, 1941
Incarcerated: Dec 7, 1941
Released: Jan 14, 1945
Sentence: 16 months federal prison Charges as recorded: Conspiracy to advocate the overthrow of the U.S. government by force; advocating insubordination in the armed forces (Smith Act / Alien Registration Act of 1940, 18 U.S.C. § 2385). First Smith Act prosecution.
Prosecutor: Victor E. Anderson
Judge: Hon. Matthew M. Joyce
Convicted: Yes
Institution State: Minnesota

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