Socialism After the Edwardian Years
Socialism grew as a political dogma in England during the Edwardian period, and throughout the world it continued to gather supporters. With the beginning of World War I many European supporters and leaders in socialist movements, including those in England, backed their government’s decisions regarding the war, and because of this many socialist groups were forced to alter their guiding principles. In England the socialist movement made great changes during and after the war. Perhaps most importantly was the difference in socialist leaders. While MacDonald and Hardie continued to influence socialist progress, they both formally resigned from their positions with the Independent Labour Party. In their place Philip Snowden took on a much more prominent role, and is credited with many significant chang
es in the socialist movement. Morgan describes Snowden as someone who “stressed the constitutional, political method of obtaining social change. He urged the need for socialism to have a nationwide appeal, transcending class barriers” (Morgan 108). With the outbreak of the war many Liberals in England began to see socialism as a valid ideology to subscribe to and parties gained more members than ever before. After the war socialist movements continued to dispute over the two dominant forms of socialism, political and industrial; although political socialism had been dominant during the Edwardian period, industrial socialism began to gain in popularity with such events as the Labour movement, the general strike of 1926 and the depression.
Outside of England socialism was changing form as well, most notably in Russia, where Lenin opposed the war and pushed for a revolution by the proletariats. Eventually the Russian revolution took place which changed the meanings of socialist movements worldwide. A distinction was beginning to form between socialism and communism, and political groups were forced to clearly make the distinction to which ideology they belonged, and discount the validity of the other. In the inter-war years this created tension between many socialist parties both within England and outside. With the beginning of World War II socialist and communists found a common enemy; the fascist. This union was short-lived however, and after the war ended socialist parties began to decline. Recently, since the collapse of communism socialism has re-emerged in as a potential utopia in many areas of the world. Today in England socialist parties still have a marginal presence in the far left of politics. Though their views and political ideas are not in the forefront of British politics today, socialist leaders had a tremendous impact on Edwardian politics and the years that followed. The Edwardian values allowed for the creation of such groups as the Independent Labour Party, and their presence helped to develop the affairs of state in England.
es in the socialist movement. Morgan describes Snowden as someone who “stressed the constitutional, political method of obtaining social change. He urged the need for socialism to have a nationwide appeal, transcending class barriers” (Morgan 108). With the outbreak of the war many Liberals in England began to see socialism as a valid ideology to subscribe to and parties gained more members than ever before. After the war socialist movements continued to dispute over the two dominant forms of socialism, political and industrial; although political socialism had been dominant during the Edwardian period, industrial socialism began to gain in popularity with such events as the Labour movement, the general strike of 1926 and the depression.Outside of England socialism was changing form as well, most notably in Russia, where Lenin opposed the war and pushed for a revolution by the proletariats. Eventually the Russian revolution took place which changed the meanings of socialist movements worldwide. A distinction was beginning to form between socialism and communism, and political groups were forced to clearly make the distinction to which ideology they belonged, and discount the validity of the other. In the inter-war years this created tension between many socialist parties both within England and outside. With the beginning of World War II socialist and communists found a common enemy; the fascist. This union was short-lived however, and after the war ended socialist parties began to decline. Recently, since the collapse of communism socialism has re-emerged in as a potential utopia in many areas of the world. Today in England socialist parties still have a marginal presence in the far left of politics. Though their views and political ideas are not in the forefront of British politics today, socialist leaders had a tremendous impact on Edwardian politics and the years that followed. The Edwardian values allowed for the creation of such groups as the Independent Labour Party, and their presence helped to develop the affairs of state in England.
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