The Ideology of the Socialist Party of America, 1901T1917

Examining the propaganda literature issued by the Socialist Party before World War I, this study investigates how the party shaped its appeal to an American audience. With the rise of an anti-monopoly reform movement after 1908 that rejected all notions of class, and socialist success in some city elections after 1910, the party confronted growing liberal strength. By 1912-13 this confrontation affected the ideological appeal and unity of the party by pitting the loyalties of class and citizenship against each other. By the time the U.S. entered WWI, the idea of class had become taboo in American politics, driving a wedge between radicals and reformers that persists until today. (Ph.D. dissertation, University of Connecticut, 1992; revised with new preface and index)