Dq__8_(chapter_21)[1]

1914 IWW Demonstration in New York City

Emily Gong AP US History Period 2 November 1, 2007

Chapter 21: The Progressive Era DQ #8: How did the Socialist agenda differ from the Progressive? Why did Socialists themselves disagree at times? Conclude with what impact this would have on the Socialist Party as a whole. I.

Progressive Ideals vs. Socialist Beliefs

Progressives •

• •

•

II.

Most progressives believed in the possibility of reform within a capitalist system favored mild reforms ; instead of nationalizing industries, they hoped to restore suitable industrial conditions in Amer. economy were strong supporters of nat’l gov’t passing laws disintegrating large combinations and placing a balance between “the need for bigness and the need for competition” industrial reforms: child labor and women labor laws, laws passed limiting size and power of corporations

Socialists • •

• •

challenge the structure of capitalist systemcompletely uproot capitalism principles in society radical approach towards industry and economy: having most industries nationalized (belonging to no individual but the gov’t) attempts to put industrial power in the hands of the common workersdiscredited laissez faire completely demanded for public ownership of utilities, the eighthour workday, & pensions for employees (ex. of their radical reforms)

Disagreements within the Socialist Party Social Democrats: 1 Radical Socialists: 2 A. Differences • differed on what extent of changes necessary and tactics needed to achieve them • Changes: ¤ some wanted complete removal of the capitalist system from Amer. economy 2 ¤ others wanted more moderate reforms that allowed small-scale enterprises to exist but nationalized major industries1 • Tactics: ¤ reform through electoral politics1 ¤ others favored militant action2 • Militant section of the Socialists: Industrial Workers of The World (IWW)-radical labor unions-also known as “Wobblies”under leadership of William “Big Bill” Haywood ¤ wanted single union for all workers; abolishment of wage-slave system* ¤ rejected political actions for strikes ¤ responsible for dynamiting of railroad lines and power stations and other violent protestsexaggerated; propaganda ¤ 1917- IWW timber strikes in Washington & Idaho- nearly shut down timber productionfed. gov’t in desperate need for timber due to wararrested leaders; state gov’t passed laws outlawing the IWW (1917 ~1919) B. Reason for Diversified Views within the Party • much of the grouppacifistsopposed violence and detested IWW’s methods to advocate socialist ideas ¤ emphasized the approach to a gradual spread of education on socialist principles and the need for change to the public all peaceful ¤ social democrats aim to reform capitalism democratically through state regulation and state sponsored programs that remove injustice of capitalist market system • contradictory to the IWW militant waysradical reform (areas targeted above *) III. Position of the Socialists: Impact on Socialist Party A. Attraction of Supporters • moderate attempts and peaceful efforts to bring about changeb/c of the party’s support for pacifismattracted many woman leaders, like Florence Kelley, Frances Willard • gained political momentum from urban immigrants and workers (particularly among Germans and Jews) & Protestant farmers in South and Midwest mainly on where the both Socialist factions stood onbasic structural changes of economy (ex. working conditions) • became a political third party of considerable strength: presidential election of 1912-Eugene V. Debs- got 6% of the votes B. Demise of Partydeclining power due to refusal to support the war effort (World War I) & to a rising protest against antiradicalism from the public CONCLUSION: Although both the Progressives and the Socialists thrived for industrial change and reform, the Socialists were more resentful than most Progressives towards the erosion of morality in the capitalist system. They had hoped to transform the American economy by provoking cries for change from the public, either militantly or peacefully, and applying socialist principles to the industry. Even though they fought for similar purposes, members of the Socialist Party argued on what methods they take to spread their beliefs for government control of industries and complete democracy. Their

perspectives on both targets of change and tactics greatly affected the their own party in ways that attracted followers in the beginning but led to the party’s doom in the end, as it was discredited for its anti-war sentiments at the start of World War I.