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Items Removed: The following published works were removed from the Socialism and Social Welfare Collection and transferred to Rare Books.
Spalding, J.L. Socialism and Labor: and Other Arguments , Social, Political, and Patriotic. Chicago: A.C. McClurg & Co., 1902
Wheelbarrow: Articles and Discussions on the Labor Question. Chicago: The Open Court Publishing Company, 1894
Gallard, Everett Guy. Liberty, Independence, and Self-Government: Being Extracts from Speeches, Writings and Letters of the Fathers and Defenders of the Government on these Themes, with Comment by the Editor. Also Important Papers Relating to the Philippines. Chicago, Ill: Chamber of Commerce, c. 1900
Grimes, I.C. Agricultural Exploiters, Parasites and Racketeers: A Book that Tells the Truth about Men and Measures Featuring Chapters on the Federal Farm Board and the True Story of the Chicago Producers. Chicago: I.C. Grimes, 1932
Welty, Roger S. Rent, Wages and Capital: A Book for the Times. LaPorte: La Porte Printing Co., 1886
Altgeld, John P. Live Questions: Comprising his Papers, Speeches and Interviews; also his Messages to the Legislature of Illinois, and a Statement of the Facts which Influenced his Course as Governor on Several Famous Occasions. Chicago: John P. Altgeld, 1899
Hobbs, Franklyn. The Secret of Wealth. Chicago: Franklyn Hobbs and Company, 1923
Vandervelde, Emile. Collectivism and Industrial Revolution. Chicago: Charles H. Kerr & Company, 1901
[Trumbull, M.M.]. Signing the Document, The Lackoon of Labor, Chopping Sand, and other Essays. Chicago: The Radical Review, 1884
Scudder, M.L. The Labor-Value Fallacy. Chicago: Jansen, McClurg, & Company, 1884
Adams, Frederick Upham. President John Smith: The Story of a Peaceful Revolution. Chicago: Charles H. Kerr & Company, 1897. [2 copies, soft and hard cover], 1897
The Legal Revolution of 1902 by a Law-Abiding Revolutionist. Chicago: Charles H. Kerr & Company, 1898
Hapgood, Hutchins. An Anarchist Woman. New York: Duffield & Company, 1909
Parton, Mary Field, ed. Autobiography of Mother Jones. Chicago: Charles H. Kerr & Company, 1925
The term socialism refers to a broad spectrum of economic theories, social doctrines, and political movements. The term socialism is especially relevant to those theorists and reformers who sought to change or improve various aspects of political, economic, or social organization in reaction to the problems of the industrial revolution and capitalism such as poverty, dangerous working conditions, the alienation of the working class, economic consolidation and competition, and the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of the few. Socialists were often concerned with the well being or social welfare of the great masses of ordinary people and argued for changes in law, workplace rules, compensation, education, and political rights that would increase the material comforts, physical security, social status, and political power of the majority of citizens. Socialists often addressed issues of inequality arguing for a variety of more or less radical measures to reduce differences in power and status among classes and ethnic groups in society. Some ideas championed by socialists that were once derided as too radical for implementation such as universal suffrage and gender equality have now become enshrined in law in most highly developed countries.
Socialism in America was less well organized than in Europe, but many prominent individuals and organizations were influenced by socialist ideas. Socialists were often active in the early stages of the civil rights movement and argued for women's rights and universal suffrage well before mainstream parties accepted these ideas. A Socialist Labor Party was formed in 1877 and later reorganized by Daniel de Leon who sought to transform America's growing trade union movement into a socialist political force, but his party and general influence remained small. Eugene V. Debs (1855-1926) established a Socialist Party in 1897 and helped to found the radical Industrial Workers of the World. His party garnered few votes in elections held during the early twentieth century, but significant parts of his program such as the forty-hour work week, compensation for injured workers, and a social security system for the elderly and disabled were implemented during the New Deal or shortly after World War II. Socialism in the United States was often unpopular both among powerful elites and ordinary citizens because many believed that the ideas and practices of socialists threatened American traditions such as free and competitive markets, self-reliance, religious faith, and the sanctity of private property. The historical legacy of socialism in the United States, however, is just as complex and elusive as the term itself.
The Socialism and Social Welfare collection includes speeches, federal U.S. and State government documents, clippings, correspondence, memoranda, policy statements, publications, programs, flyers, pamphlets, and periodicals. The majority of pamphlets and periodicals have been organized into separate series. Series I. General includes speeches, federal U.S. and State government documents, clippings, correspondence, memoranda, policy statements, publications, programs, and some miscellaneous pamphlets. Notable items in this series include correspondence related to the work of a National Anti-trust Conference held in 1900. Series II: Pamphlets consists of late nineteenth and early twentieth century pamphlets that deal with contemporary American political, economic, and social issues such as the debate over "free silver" or bimetallism in currency reform, economic depression, free trade, and the formation of trusts. Series III: Periodicals consists of issues of journals and newspapers that often contain political and economic content regarding contemporary America from 1881 to 1919.
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Socialism and Social Welfare collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Illinois at Chicago
The General Series includes speeches, federal U.S. and State government documents, clippings, correspondence, memoranda, policy statements, publications, programs, flyers, and pamphlets.
Series II: Pamphlets consists of late nineteenth and early twentieth century pamphlets that deal with contemporary American political, economic, and social issues such as the debate over "free silver" or bimetallism in currency reform, economic depression, free trade, and the formation of trusts.
Series III: Periodicals consists of issues of journals and newspapers that often contain political and economic content.