Dirk Struik: Marxism and Political Controversy at MIT
Dirk Struik was a scholar whose life was defined by a rigorous commitment to both academic excellence and political conviction. A steadfast believer in Marxism—a social, political, and economic philosophy examining the struggle between capitalists and the working class—Struik joined the Communist Party of the Netherlands in 1919 and remained a member throughout his entire life.
His longevity and intellectual vitality were legendary. When asked on his 100th birthday in 1994 how he continued to author peer-reviewed journal articles, Struik attributed his endurance to the "3Ms": Marriage, Mathematics, and Marxism.
Key Facts
- Political Affiliation: Lifelong member of the Communist Party of the Netherlands (joined 1919).
- Legal Conflict: Indicted in 1951 for conspiracy to overthrow the governments of the United States and Massachusetts.
- HUAC Appearance: Testified on July 24, 1951, invoking the Fifth Amendment to avoid self-incrimination.
- Academic Status: Suspended by MIT faculty in 1951; reinstated in 1956.
- Case Resolution: Indictment quashed in 1956 due to the federal Smith Act superseding state laws.
The McCarthy Era and Legal Battles
During the early 1950s, the United States entered the McCarthy era, a period characterized by intense government suspicion and persecution of suspected communists. Because of his Marxist views, Struik faced accusations of being a spy for the Soviet Union and was labeled a "subversive influence in the educational process" in a U.S. Senate committee publication.
On July 24, 1951, Struik was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). He refused to answer over 200 questions, repeatedly invoking the Fifth Amendment, which protects individuals from being compelled to testify against themselves. While he had originally intended to invoke the First Amendment, a recent Supreme Court ruling had removed that as a viable legal option.
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Indictment and Suspension
The legal pressure escalated on September 12, 1951, when a Middlesex County grand jury indicted Struik for conspiracy to overthrow the governments of the United States and Massachusetts, as well as advocating the violent overthrow of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Following the indictment, Struik was released on $10,000 bail.
In response to these charges, the MIT faculty voted to suspend Struik with full salary until the legal proceedings were resolved. The political climate within the institution was further highlighted in April 1953, when William Ted Martin, the head of the MIT mathematics department, testified to HUAC that both he and Struik had been members of a communist cell at MIT between 1938 and 1946.
Reinstatement and Retirement
The legal deadlock ended in 1956. Judge Paul G. Kirk quashed the indictment against Struik after the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that the federal Smith Act—a law making it a crime to advocate the overthrow of the government—superseded state sedition laws.
Following this ruling, MIT lifted Struik's suspension on May 26, 1956, and he was reinstated as a faculty member. He continued his academic career until his retirement from MIT in 1960.
| Year | Event | Outcome/Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1919 | Joined Communist Party of the Netherlands | Lifelong membership |
| 1951 | HUAC Testimony | Invoked Fifth Amendment for 200+ questions |
| 1951 | Middlesex County Indictment | Charged with conspiracy; released on $10,000 bail |
| 1951 | MIT Suspension | Suspended with full salary |
| 1953 | William Ted Martin Testimony | Confirmed MIT communist cell (1938–1946) |
| 1956 | Indictment Quashed | Smith Act superseded state sedition laws |
| 1956 | MIT Reinstatement | Returned to faculty on May 26 |
| 1960 | Retirement | Retired from MIT |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Dirk Struik refuse to answer HUAC's questions?
Struik invoked the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to protect himself against self-incrimination after a Supreme Court case made the First Amendment an unavailable option for his defense.
What were the specific charges against Struik in 1951?
He was indicted for conspiracy to overthrow the governments of the United States and Massachusetts, and for advocating the violent overthrow of the government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
How did MIT handle Struik's legal troubles?
The MIT faculty voted to suspend him with full salary while his case was pending. He was eventually reinstated in May 1956 after his indictment was quashed.
What led to the dismissal of the charges against him?
The indictment was quashed by Judge Paul G. Kirk after the Massachusetts Supreme Court determined that the federal Smith Act took precedence over state sedition laws.
What were the "3Ms" that Struik credited for his longevity?
Struik stated that Marriage, Mathematics, and Marxism were the three essential elements that sustained him into his 100th year.