Socialist Party of America

The Socialist Party of America (SPA) was a political organization founded in 1901 that advocated for socialist principles, including public ownership of major industries, workers’ rights, and economic equality. It aimed to promote social justice through democratic means, such as reforms and political participation, rather than revolution. While it never gained widespread electoral success, the SPA influenced labor movements and progressive policies. The party experienced internal divisions over tactics and ideology and declined in influence by the mid-20th century. Overall, it represented an effort to advance socialism within the framework of American democratic institutions.