Socialism and Jewish Immigrants

Paper Summary:

The writer argues that Jewish immigrants in America brought with them a sense of involvement in political action far stronger than many other immigrant groups. The paper traces the historical ties of Jews in America to socialism that they either brought with them from Eastern Europe or adopted upon their arrival in America.

From the Paper:

"Among the earlier generations of Jewish immigrants the principal socialist affiliation was with the Socialist labor Party, led by Daniel De Leon. The party was popular among Gentile German immigrants in the Midwest but the adherence of New York Jews, beginning in the 1880s, made it a political force in the East as well. De Leon's authoritarianism, however, drove away numerous supporters and by 1900 the more moderate Socialist Party, under the leadership of Eugene Debs, attracted the majority of Jewish socialists. The party's appeal for Jews was based on their familiarity with socialism's reputation of opposition to oppression in Europe, on its willingness "to let them register quasi-independently in their own foreign-language federations," and on the party's "solid American base" which made them feel a legitimate part of the political system of their new home (Sachar 176)."

More papers on Socialism and Jewish Immigrants:

• Analytical Essay # 15095 : "Jewish Immigrants"
• Book Review # 23870 : "Jewish and Italian Immigration"
• Persuasive Essay # 108747 : "The Jewish Community within the USA"

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