BTW, I blame many of the post WWII communist intellectuals. In the 1800s or beginning of the 1900s, I understand why people were interested in communism. But after 1953 or in the 60s - 80s, no.
Many intellectuals were invited in the USSR and China in the 60s - 80s. They knew what was happening there (the West had partial information on their situation, but many things transpired - like the camps, the massacres, the poverty - and even if the "tours" were organized by the propaganda, many managed to see what was hidden behind the curtain). Those who said nothing did it to protect "the cause".
Sartre knew about Mao's lunacies, but he said nothing. For the freaking "cause". Because he felt guilt, he was ashamed of his "bourgeois" origins, so it made him a blind zealot. There are still many ppl like him today. Usually, it's kids, but some of them never grow up.