498 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



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. 31 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.32 



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. 33 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 strong- 

 est in the west ; but soon disbanded. Two years later, the International 

 Working Peoples' Association was formed. In this organization the 

 anarchists were in control. 34 The local socialist labor party in Chicago, 

 which polled about 12,000 votes in the city election of 1879, and elected 

 three aldermen, 35 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. 36 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 



si Hughan, "The Present Status of Socialism in the United States," p. 34. 



32 " Documentary History of American Industrial Society," Vol. 9: 46. 



33 Hughan, ibid., p. 38. 



34 Ely, "The Labor Movement in America," Ch. 9. 



35 One was also elected in 1878 and again in 1880. 



36 Schilling in Parson's "Life of Albert E. Parsons." 



