Socialist Party: Eugene V. Debs and Ben Hanford Campaign poster for Eugene V. Debs and Ben Hanford, the Socialist Party's candidates in the 1904 U.S. presidential election. (more) Socialist Party of America political party, United States Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Socialist-Party-of-America Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites The Official Site of the Socialist Party USA The Official Site of the Socialist Party USA Ask the Chatbot a Question Also known as: SPA, Socialist Democratic Party, Socialist Party Written by Meg Matthias Meg Matthias is Senior Video Production Manager at Encyclopædia Britannica. Meg Matthias Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Aug 20, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot Quick Facts Date: 1901 - present (Show more) Related People: Eugene V. Debs Ella Reeve Bloor Victor Berger Michael Harrington Charlotte Anita Whitney (Show more) { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " When was the Socialist Party of America founded? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The Socialist Party of America was founded in 1901." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What were the main goals of the Socialist Party of America? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The main goals of the Socialist Party of America included collective ownership of transportation and communication, progressive labor laws, state insurance for workers, government-run industries to ensure gainful employment, education for children, and equal civil rights." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " Who was a notable leader of the Socialist Party of America? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Eugene Debs was a notable leader of the Socialist Party of America. He received more than 900,000 votes in the 1912 and 1920 presidential elections." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What led to the decline of the Socialist Party of America? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "In-group fighting and the Red Scare allowed the Communist Party to surpass the Socialist Party of America in membership. The party was further damaged by a second Red Scare following World War II." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " When did the Socialist Party of America become inactive? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The Socialist Party of America formally ended as a distinct organization when it renamed itself Social Democrats, U.S.A., on December 31, 1972. Although this was not an abrupt dissolution, it marked the partyu2019s official transformation and the end of the traditional Socialist Party identity." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What was the legacy of the Socialist Party of America? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The Socialist Party of America influenced the two major political parties and saw many of its proposals, such as the eight-hour workday and public housing, adopted by the government." } } ] } Top Questions When was the Socialist Party of America founded? The Socialist Party of America was founded in 1901.

　　What were the main goals of the Socialist Party of America? The main goals of the Socialist Party of America included collective ownership of transportation and communication, progressive labor laws, state insurance for workers, government-run industries to ensure gainful employment, education for children, and equal civil rights.

　　Who was a notable leader of the Socialist Party of America? Eugene Debs was a notable leader of the Socialist Party of America. He received more than 900,000 votes in the 1912 and 1920 presidential elections.

　　What led to the decline of the Socialist Party of America? In-group fighting and the Red Scare allowed the Communist Party to surpass the Socialist Party of America in membership. The party was further damaged by a second Red Scare following World War II.

　　When did the Socialist Party of America become inactive? The Socialist Party of America formally ended as a distinct organization when it renamed itself Social Democrats, U.S.A., on December 31, 1972. Although this was not an abrupt dissolution, it marked the party’s official transformation and the end of the traditional Socialist Party identity.

　　What was the legacy of the Socialist Party of America? The Socialist Party of America influenced the two major political parties and saw many of its proposals, such as the eight-hour workday and public housing, adopted by the government.

　　Socialist Party of America, U.S. national political party founded in 1901 from the merger of the Social Democratic Parties of Chicago and Springfield, Massachusetts, and other independent state socialist groups. The party attracted a membership of immigrant and American-born workers, farmers, intellectuals, and labor and social activists, among others. The party was active until 1972. The Chicago and Springfield Social Democratic parties convened with independent state socialist groups for a Joint Unity Convention in Indianapolis, from July 29 through August 1, 1901. There they formed the Socialist Party of America, adopting a platform that advocated for the following points: The ...(100 of 698 words)

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