the way for the development of permanent trade unions. During the decade of the eighties were organized over one fourth of the national trade unions considered by the Industrial Commission in 1901; but only about one in every six were organized before 1880. Or, less than one half were in existence prior to 1890.
Likewise the socialists were not strong before 1890. The "German period of socialism in the United States" ended about 1876.[1] The International Workingmen's Association formed its first American section in 1871.
By 1874, the attempts to internationalize the American movement were abandoned, and in that year a nationalized International, the United Workers of America, was attempted.[2]
and several local socialist parties arose. In 1876, several organizations of socialists, including the United Workers, were united to form the Workingmen's Party of the United States. One year later the name was changed to Socialist Labor Party. At first the Socialist Labor Party advised its members not to take part in political campaigns; and, although interested in several local campaigns, epecially in New York City and Chicago, it did not put a presidential candidate in the field until 1892. In 1886, however, the Socialist Labor Party of New York united with the single taxers and certain labor organizations to support Henry George for mayor on the United Labor ticket.[3] The socialists joined, in 1878, with the labor reformers to form the International Labor Union.
Another International Workingmen's Association was organized, in 1881, composed of American workingmen and farmers. It was strongest in the west; but soon disbanded. Two years later, the International Working Peoples' Association was formed. In this organization the anarchists were in control.[4] The local socialist labor party in Chicago, which polled about 12,000 votes in the city election of 1879, and elected three aldermen,[5] was soon broken into factions. One portion supported General Weaver of the Greenback ticket in 1880. Another faction influenced by the teaching of anarchists, began to doubt the wisdom of political action.[6] In recent years, the direct-actionists of the Chicago branch of the Industrial Workers of the World seem to constitute a type of socialists similar to the American Internationalists of the eighties. In each case, the value of political action is depreciated, revolution and direct action are emphasized, and a tendency toward anarchism may be discerned.
The panic of 1873 and the five years of depression following the
- ↑ Hughan, "The Present Status of Socialism in the United States," p. 34.
- ↑ "Documentary History of American Industrial Society," Vol. 9: 46.
- ↑ Hughan, ibid., p. 38.
- ↑ Ely, "The Labor Movement in America," Ch. 9.
- ↑ One was also elected in 1878 and again in 1880.
- ↑ Schilling in Parson's "Life of Albert E. Parsons."
