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Marxism and the American Reform Tradition, 1848-1876

Chance Foster

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Published in The Yankee International: Marxism And The American Reform Tradition 1848 1876

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The Yankee International: Marxism and the American Reform Tradition, 1848-1876

by Timothy Messer-Kruse

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	328 pages

The period between 1848 and 1876 witnessed a profound transformation of the American socio-economic landscape. The rapid industrialization of the Northern states, the growth of cities, and the influx of immigrants from Europe created new social problems and challenges. In response to these changes, a vibrant reform tradition emerged, seeking to address issues such as poverty, inequality, and labor exploitation. This article examines the influence of Marxism on the American reform tradition during this period, exploring its impact on labor activism, social movements, and the development of socialist thought in the United States.

The Influence of Marx

Karl Marx's writings, particularly his Manifesto of the Communist Party (1848),had a significant impact on American intellectuals and activists. Marx's analysis of capitalism as a system based on the exploitation of labor resonated with many Americans who witnessed the harsh working conditions in factories and mines. His call for the overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of a socialist society inspired a new generation of reformers and radicals to challenge the existing order.

Ferdinand Lassalle and the German Socialist Movement

Ferdinand Lassalle, a German socialist leader, played a key role in disseminating Marxist ideas in the United States. In 1865, he founded the Universal German Workingmen's Association, which became a major center for Marxist thought and organizing. Lassalle's emphasis on universal suffrage, workers' cooperatives, and state intervention to improve working conditions appealed to many German immigrants who brought their socialist beliefs to America.

The American Federation of Labor and the Knights of Labor

The American Federation of Labor (AFL),founded in 1881 by Samuel Gompers, emerged as the dominant labor organization in the United States. While the AFL was not explicitly Marxist, its focus on collective bargaining, strikes, and the improvement of working conditions through trade unions reflected the influence of Marxist thought. The Knights of Labor, another major labor organization founded in 1869, was more explicitly influenced by Marxist ideas, advocating for a more radical transformation of society and the establishment of a cooperative commonwealth.

Socialist Parties and Labor Activism

The influence of Marxism led to the formation of the first socialist parties in the United States. The Socialist Labor Party (SLP),founded in 1876, sought to establish a socialist society through electoral means. The Socialist Party of America (SPA),founded in 1901, emerged from a merger between the SLP and other socialist groups and became the largest socialist party in the country. These parties organized labor strikes, supported workers' rights, and promoted socialist ideas through their publications and educational programs.

The period between 1848 and 1876 marked a significant chapter in the development of the American reform tradition. The influence of Marxism, through the writings of Karl Marx, the German socialist movement led by Ferdinand Lassalle, and the activities of labor organizations like the American Federation of Labor and the Knights of Labor, shaped the agenda and strategies of reformers and radicals. Marxist ideas not only influenced labor activism and social movements but also contributed to the development of socialist thought and the emergence of socialist parties in the United States.

References

Foner, Eric. The Story of American Freedom. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2014.
Gutman, Herbert G. Work, Culture, and Society in Industrializing America: Essays in American Working-Class and Social History. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1976.
Marx, Karl. Manifesto of the Communist Party. 1848.
Trachtenberg, Marc. The History of American Labor: 1800 to 1985. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2017.

The Yankee International: Marxism and the American Reform Tradition, 1848-1876

by Timothy Messer-Kruse

4.2 out of 5