Socialist Party of America

The Socialist Party of America was a socialist political party in the United States. It was formed in 1901 by a merger between the Social Democratic Party of Eugene V. Debs, formed three years earlier by veterans of the Pullman Strike of the American Railway Union, and a wing of the older Socialist Labor Party of America.

Early history

From 1901 to the onset of World War I, the Socialist Party was arguably the most successful third party of the twentieth century, with thousands of local elected officials. There were two Socialist members of congress, Meyer London of New York and Victor Berger of Wisconsin; over 70 mayors, and many state legislators and city councilors. Socialist organizations were strongest in the midwestern and plains state, particularly Oklahoma and Wisconsin.

Related Topics:
World War I - Meyer London - Victor Berger

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Ideologies of the early participants ranged from more conservative democratic socialists, such as New York party leader Morris Hillquit and Congressman Berger to the radical syndicalists of the Industrial Workers of the World, who eventually left the party in a dispute over the appropriateness of industrial sabotage. The party's ranks were filled with a diverse collection of trade unionists, miners, immigrants and intellectuals.

Related Topics:
Morris Hillquit - Industrial Workers of the World

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Opposition to the war reduced its popularity among Americans, while its best-known member, Debs, was imprisoned on charges of espionage. But by 1919, bouyed by increases in membership in its language federations from areas involved in the Bolshevik Revolution, such as Finland, Russia, Poland, and Ukraine, membership topped 100,000.

Related Topics:
1919 - Language federation - Bolshevik Revolution - Finland - Russia - Poland - Ukraine

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