Socialist Party, U.S.

THE SOCIALIST PARTY in the United States is a viable, national organization that focuses on political, social, and economical reform. With a strong pro-labor platform, the party has worked toward equitable dispersion of monies and products, as well as for the rights of all workers—manufacturing, farming, and clerical. According to the Platform of the Socialist Party:

Formed in 1901 by a merger of one faction of the Socialist Labor Party and the Social Democratic Party, the Socialist Party included as members both nativeborn citizens and immigrants. It drew socialists from all philosophical points of view, religions, and political stances. In part, this amalgam of political and philosophical views was to be expected, given the method of formation and the membership of the two groups. The Socialist Labor Party, founded in 1877, evolved from the American supporters of the Marxist First International and the Workingmen's Party of America. The other party of the merger, the Social Democratic Party, began its existence in 1898 and was led by Eugene Debs. Despite the disparity between the two groups, the new Socialist Party provided a solidarity and organizational unity previously unknown to the American socialist movement.

Like the majority of the new third-party groups of the late 19th century, the Socialist Party aimed toward national recognition as a political power and toward shaking up the established two-party system, which they thought was too easily swayed by big money and political influence. Also like many of the new parties, [Page 404]the Socialists impacted mostly local politics. Although longer lived than most, the Socialist Party suffered more from internal conflict than the inertia or lack of organization that afflicted other parties. Even with a solid pro-labor foundation, the party could not overcome its differences. Ironically, one of the major differences between party factions was whether to create a new workers' party or work from within the existing labor union, the American Federation of Labor.

Demonstrators in support of the U.S. Socialist Party march outside the Republican National Convention in New York City in 2004. With a strong pro-labor platform, the party has worked toward equitable dispersion of monies and products, as well as for the rights of all workers.

Between 1901 and 1912, the Socialist Party grew to over 100,000 members, gained over 1,200 local political posts, and in 1912, Debs, the Socialist presidential candidate, received approximately 6 percent of the vote. However, given the eclectic membership within the Socialist Party of Marxists (with differing philosophies), Christian socialists, various groups of immigrants from Europe, single-taxers, and so on, internal rifts were inevitable. One of the major disagreements was between the revolutionaries (calling for drastic and immediate overthrow of the status quo) and the reformists (calling for change through education and building the new society upon the foundation of the old). Beginning in 1913, the growth and political influence of the party began to consolidate instead of grow.

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