The Roots Of Socialism In The United States

Socialism Socialism is a government system that is based on equality and favors public or government ownership. The state controls all resources and owns production, distribution, and exchange of all goods. Socialism also refers to political movements and doctrines and comes in multiple forms. The roots of socialism came from Greece. The ideology of equality and equal distribution among communities changed and adapted across Europe. In the 1600 and 1700s, and the philosophies surrounding socialism sparked revolutions in both France and England. Utopian socialists wished to create an “ideal” society to solve economic and social problems presently plaguing their people. An early philosopher of socialism was an utopian socialist by the name of Charles Fourier. Another utopian socialist, Robert Owen believed that cooperative living could save a country from unemployment and poverty. He established “New Harmony”, a utopian community in 1824. Two years later, the colony failed due to overcrowding and chaos. In …show more content…
He also thought that the workers should operate and own all resources. People that were influenced by Carl Marx’s thinking started to organize groups in England. Marx suggested overthrowing the government but, troubled socialists preferred nonviolent actions. The First International, which was the first attempt of an international organization of labor, was organized in 1864. In the late 1800s socialist organization developed and social democrats became large and well respected. They preferred slow change over quick decisions. Other socialists such as Adolf Hitler, thought socialism needed violence. In the early 1900s people that wanted a side of violence with their socialism broke away from socialist parties and called themselves Communists. Communists were very willing to use violence to achieve their goals and get what they