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The '''Socialist Party of America''' began in 1904 with the merger of the Social Democratic Party and the Social Labor Party.  The party contained both moderate and radical socialists.  At it's peak in 1912, there were 118,000 members.  It was dissolved after the [[United States presidential election, 1976|1976 presidential election]].

The '''Socialist Party of America''' began in 1904 with the merger of the Social Democratic Party and the Social Labor Party.  The party contained both moderate and radical socialists.  At its peak in 1912, it claimed 118,000 members.  It was dissolved in 1976. [[Image:1904SO.JPG|thumb|350px|1904 election poster]]. Unlike Europe, where socialist parties were controlled by labor unions, most American labor unions opposed the party because of its radicalism and hostility to religion.

==Debs era==

==Debs era==

The party had limited support.  For many years it controlled the mayoralty in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Bridgeport, Connecticut, where it stressed efficiency, absence of corruption, and municipal ownership of the water supply.  

The party had limited support.  For many years it controlled the mayoralty in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Bridgeport, Connecticut, where it stressed efficiency, absence of corruption, and municipal ownership of the water supply.  

During [[World War I]], a majority in the party aggressively opposed America's entrance into the war.  They claimed that the cause of the war was the "imperialist competitive society."  Through these actions, the party lost much of the support of the American public. They held protests against the war, and tried to stop the draft. leaders, including Debs, were tried, convicted and imprisoned under the Espionage Act.

When the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, a majority in the party aggressively opposed America's entrance into the war.  They claimed that the cause of the war was the "imperialist competitive society."  Through these actions, the party lost much popular support, but gained strength among antiwar [[German Americans]]. Socialists held protests against the war, and tried to stop young men from registering for the draft. leaders, including Debs, were tried, convicted and imprisoned under the Espionage Act. Many socialists, including writer [[Walter Lippmann]], supported the war and broke permanently with the movement.

==Downfall and Dissolution==

==Downfall and Dissolution==

==Reorganization==

==Reorganization==

A minority faction of the Socialist Party of America, Socialist Party USA, came into being in 1973.  They have yet to achieve any seats in federal government.

A minority faction Socialist Party USA, came into being in 1973.  It remains a small fringe operation, winning fewer than 10,000 in recent presidential elections.

==See Also==

==See Also==

*[[Socialism]]

*[[Socialism]]

*[[Communism]]

*[[Communism]]

*[[Karl Marx]]

*[[Karl Marx]]

[[Category:Politics]]

[[Category:Politics]]

[[Category:Socialism]]

[[Category:Socialism]]