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===Socialist Party===

===Socialist Party===

The Socialist Party was a diverse coalition of local parties based in industrial cities, and usually was rooted in ethnic communities, especially German, Jewish and Finnish. By 1912 they claimed more than a thousand locally elected officials in 33 states and 160 cities, especially the Midwest. [[Eugene V. Debs]] ran for president in 1900, 1904 and 1908 primarily to encourage the local effort, and he did so again in 1912 and 1920. The party was factionalized. The conservatives, led by [[Victor Berger]] of Milwaukee who promoted progressive causes of efficiency and an end to corruption. The radicals wanted to overthrow capitalism, tried to infiltrate labor unions, and sought to cooperate with the [[IWW]]. With few exceptions the party had weak or nonexistent links to local labor unions.  

The Socialist Party was a diverse coalition of local parties based in industrial cities, and usually was rooted in ethnic communities, especially German, Jewish and Finnish. By 1912 they claimed more than a thousand locally elected officials in 33 states and 160 cities, especially the Midwest. [[Eugene V. Debs]] ran for president in 1900, 1904 and 1908 primarily to encourage the local effort, and he did so again in 1912 and 1920. His best showing was 6% in 1912. The party was factionalized. The conservatives, led by [[Victor Berger]] of Milwaukee who promoted progressive causes of efficiency and an end to corruption. The radicals wanted to overthrow capitalism, tried to infiltrate labor unions, and sought to cooperate with the [[IWW]]. With few exceptions the party had weak or nonexistent links to local labor unions.  

Immigration was an issue--the radicals saw immigrants as fodder for the war with capitalism, while conservatives complained they lowered wage rates and absorbed too many city resources. Many of these issues were heatedly debated at the First National Congress of the Socialist Party in 1910, and the national convention in Indianapolis in 1912. At the latter the radicals won an early test by seating [[Bill Haywood]] on the Executive Committee, by sending encouragement to western "Wobblies," and by a resolution seeming to favor industrial unionism. The conservatives counterattacked by amending the party constitution to expel any socialists who favored industrial sabotage or syndicalism (that is, the IWW), and who refused to participate in American elections. They adopted a conservative platform calling for cooperative organization of prisons, a national bureau of health, abolition of the Senate and the presidential veto, and a long list of progressive reforms that the Democratic party was known for.  

Immigration was an issue--the radicals saw immigrants as fodder for the war with capitalism, while conservatives complained they lowered wage rates and absorbed too many city resources. Many of these issues were heatedly debated at the First National Congress of the Socialist Party in 1910, and the national convention in Indianapolis in 1912. At the latter the radicals won an early test by seating [[Bill Haywood]] on the Executive Committee, by sending encouragement to western "Wobblies," and by a resolution seeming to favor industrial unionism. The conservatives counterattacked by amending the party constitution to expel any socialists who favored industrial sabotage or syndicalism (that is, the IWW), and who refused to participate in American elections. They adopted a conservative platform calling for cooperative organization of prisons, a national bureau of health, abolition of the Senate and the presidential veto, and a long list of progressive reforms that the Democratic party was known for.  

Due to the varied political views of members of the party, there was a schism during the Russian Revolution in 1917-18.  The right-wing members condemned the Revolution, and expelled over 20,000 members who were sympathetic with the Bolsheviks (Communists).   

Due to the varied political views of members of the party, there was a schism during the Russian Revolution in 1917-18.  The right-wing members condemned the Revolution, and expelled over 20,000 members who were sympathetic with the Bolsheviks (Communists).   

In the 1930s [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] destroyed the party. He refused to enact any of its programs or appoint any of its leaders.  In New York City many ex-Socialists dropped the party and formed the new [[American Labor Party]], independent of both the Socialist Party and the Democratic party, in order to fully support Roosevelt. [[Norman Thomas]] ran repeatedly for president on the Socialist ticket, winning little support. By 1950 the party's membership dropped to 2,000.

In the 1930s [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] destroyed the party. He refused to enact any of its programs or appoint any of its leaders.  In New York City many ex-Socialists dropped the party and formed the new [[American Labor Party]], independent of both the Socialist Party and the Democratic party, in order to fully support Roosevelt. [[Norman Thomas]] ran repeatedly for president on the Socialist ticket, winning less than 2% of the vote each time. By 1950 the party's membership dropped to 2,000.

==Reorganization==

==Reorganization==

* Radosh, Ronald (ed). ''Great Lives Observed: Debs''. (1971). essays and primary sources

* Radosh, Ronald (ed). ''Great Lives Observed: Debs''. (1971). essays and primary sources

* Salvatore, Nick. ''Eugene V. Debs: Citizen and Socialist''. (1984), the standard scholarly biography.

* Salvatore, Nick. ''Eugene V. Debs: Citizen and Socialist''. (1984), the standard scholarly biography.

 

==External Links==

==External Links==

*[http://www.dsausa.org/dsa.html Democratic Socialists of America]

*[http://www.dsausa.org/dsa.html Democratic Socialists of America]