MIA: History: USA: Publications: International Socialist Review
International Socialist Review
CONTENTS BY ISSUE
(1900 until 1918)
Special Note of thanks to the following individuals and institutions that made copies of The International Socialist Review available and help scan and process them for this archive: Google Books, Archive.org, Dr. Marty Goodman of the The Riazanov Project and David Walters from the Marxists Internet Archive and Holt Labor Library.
The International Socialist Review was a monthly magazine published in Chicago, Illinois by Charles H. Kerr & Co. from 1900 until 1918. The magazine was chiefly a Marxist theoretical journal during its first years under the editorship of A.M. Simons. Beginning in 1908 the publication took a turn to the left with publisher Charles H. Kerr taking over the main editorial task. The later Review (as it was called by its contemporaries) featured heavy use of photographic illustration on glossy paper and mixed news of the contemporary labor movement with its typical theoretical fare.
Loyal to the Socialist Party of America throughout the entire course of its existence, The International Socialist Review after 1908 was recognized as one of the primary voices of the party's left wing. It defended the concept of revolutionary socialism against those who would reduce the Socialist Party to a party of ameliorative reform, expounded upon the syndicalist ideas of the revolutionary industrial union known as the International Workers of the World, consistently fought against the expansion of militarism being pushed forward by the so-called "Preparedness" movement, and provided a vehicle for the leaders of the Zimmerwald Left to relay their ideas to an American audience.
After American intervention in the European World War in 1917, the International Socialist Review came under increasing pressure from the U.S. Post Office Department and United States Department of Justice. Its loss of mailing privileges at the hands of the Wilson administration's Postmaster General, Albert S. Burleson in 1917 sounded the death knell for the publication. The magazine died early in 1918, chiefly due to this government pressure. A brief attempt to revive the publication as The Labor Scrapbook under the editorship of Mary Marcy, Kerr's chief lieutenant, proved unsuccessful in 1918.
Simons period (1900-1908) Algie M. Simons, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, was the first editor of the International Socialist Review.
The International Socialist Review was edited from 1900 to 1908 by Algie M. Simons, formerly of Wisconsin. Under Simons, the magazine served as a sounding board for various theoretical questions which were dividing the socialist movement. The magazine gave particular attention to the role of the socialist movement towards the American farmer, an issue held near and dear both by editor Simons (author of a 1902 book on the topic) as well as by J.A. Wayland of the Appeal to Reason, the largest circulation socialist newspaper of its era.
The tone of the early Review was temperate and the policies advocated modest. The publication was fully reflective of what one historian has called "the rather moderate social-democratic perspective of Simons and other Socialists of the 'Center.'"
From its beginnings in the summer of 1900, the publication managed to achieve a modest circulation of about 4,000, about three-quarters of which obtained the publication by mail rather than via sales at newsstands or via bundle orders by local socialist organizations.
Due to a disagreement over fundamental principles, with Simons' views becoming steadily more moderate while those of his employer became increasingly radical, publisher Charles H. Kerr fired editor Simons in 1908. Kerr worked to make the previously dry and academic publication into what he called "the fighting magazine of socialism," making use of dramatic photography in telling the story of contemporary labor struggles against the forces of capitalism. As historian Allen Ruff notes, the revitalized Review took a very different form than its predecessor: Mary Marcy played a leading role in establishing the tone and content of the Review after the departure of Algie Simons.
"Liberally illustrated with 'action fotos' and original graphics, the revamped ISR carried firsthand reports of major strikes, lockouts, organizing drives, and employers' offensives as well as theoretical and political discussions. Kerr's work with longtime associates Mary and Leslie Marcy and an editorial board including left-wingers William D. "Big Bill" Haywood, Frank Bohn, and poet/illustrator Ralph Chaplin raised the Review's circulation from nearly 6,000 in 1908 to over 40,000 by 1911."
The Review soon became the major organ of the "left wing" of the Socialist Party, which was critical of what it perceived to be an obsession of many national figures in the party with ameliorative reform. The circulation and influence of the Review was further enhanced with the 1910 termination of The Socialist, a weekly newspaper published in Seattle, Washington by Hermon F. Titus which had gained national attention and readership as a left wing voice. By July 1910, the monthly circulation of the Review had grown to 27,000 copies.
The moderate wing of the Socialist Party was at times sharply critical of the International Socialist Review. Writer Robert Hunter declared in 1911 of the Review:
"It has sneered at Political Action, advocated rival unionism, and vacillated between Anarchism and Proudhonism. The constant emphasis the Review lays on Direct Action and its apparent faith that a revolution can be evoked by Will or Force is in direct opposition to our whole philosophy."
The Review was, in fact, very sympathetic to the Industrial Workers of the World, a revolutionary industrial union which sought to unite all workers regardless of race, craft, or skill under the umbrella of "One Big Union" with a view to the overthrow of the wage system and its replacement with decision-making by economic units established by the workers themselves (syndicalism).
Prominent staff members:* Max S. Hayes
* Charles H. Kerr
* Mary Marcy
* A.M. Simons
* Ernest Untermann—From Wikipedia entry
Essay on the Digital Archive of International Socialist Review
[A very detailed essay explaining how these scans were made, and why you really should get your International Socialist Review scans here, and not from the volume-long scans made by Google and offered on Google Books, Hathi Trust, or Archive.org. This archive is complete, with no missing issues and essentially no issues missing pages. Art is rendered meticulously in the scans here. Such is not true of the scans of ISR made Google. We cordially invite Google, Hathi Trust, and Archive.org to offer the scans we have here on their sites.]
Searchable Tables of Contents for all the Issues of ISR
[Contents for volumes 1 - 10 are those produced by the publisher, arranged in alphabetical order by author's name. Contents for volumes 11 - 18 consist of the scanned tables of contents pages of each issue, extracted and with OCR, put together into a file for each volume (12 issues in a volume).]
A presentation of the Illuminated Letters used in the International Socialist Review in issues between 1908 and 1910.
1900
Vol. 1, No. 3, September, 1900
Outlook for Socialism in the United States by E. V. Debs
Some Ethical Problems by May Wood Simmons
1901
The Negro Problem by Charles H. Vail
Civilization in Southern Mills by Mother Jones
The Charity Girl by Caroline H. PembertonEducation and Socialism by May Wood Simmons
Trades Unions and Socialism by Karl KautskyRelease by Rose Alice Cleveland
Vol. 2, No. 3, September, 1901
1902
The Socialist Party of France after the Elections by Jean Longuet
The Two Tendencies by Karl KautskyLines of Division in American Socialism by A.M. Simons
Vol. 3, No. 3, September, 1902
Socialist Agitation Among Farmers in America by Karl Kautsky
The Western Labor Movement by E. V. Debs
The American Labor Movement by G.A. Hoehn
1903
Song of Labor by Caroline H. Pemberton
The Church and the Proletarian by Austin Lewis
The Economic Interpretation of History by May Wood Simmons
The Great Strike on the Railroads of Holland by Herman Gorter
Laborism, Impossibilism and Socialism by Henry Hyndman
The Revolt of the Artist by Austin Lewis
Features of the Electoral Battle by August Bebel
Political Problems in Germany by Ernest UntermannVol. 4, No. 3, September, 1903
The Negro and the Class Struggle by E. V. Debs
Shall We Revise Our Program Forward or Backward? by Ernest Untermann
1904
The Negro and His Nemesis by E. V. Debs
More Socialism in the Platform, More Democracy in the Constitution by Ernest Untermann
Delegates to the 1904 Convention of the Socialist Party of America
Vol. 5, No. 3, September, 1904
The Socialist Party and the Working Class by E. V. Debs
Letters of a Pork Packer’s Stenographer by Mary E. MarcyLetters of a Pork Packer’s Stenographer 4 by Mary E. Marcy
Letters of a Pork Packer’s Stenographer 5 by Mary E. Marcy
1905
The Theoretical System of Karl Marx by Louis B. Boudin
Differences Among the Russian Socialists by Karl Kautsky
The Industrial Convention by E. V. Debs
1906
Revolutions, Past and Present by Karl Kautsky
Marxism or Eclecticism? by Ernest Untermann
A Pioneer of Proletarian Science by Ernest Untermann
1907
William, the Faithful by Mary E. Marcy
Socialism and Religion by Anton Pannekoek
The Economic Interpretation of History and the Practical Socialist Movement by Austin Lewis
Vol. 8, No. 3, September, 1907
The Parlor Socialists by Ellis O. Jones
The Historical Method of Karl Marx by Paul Lafargue
The Social Democratic Party School in Berlin by Anton Pannekoek
1908
Immigration at Stuttgart by Louis B. Boudin
Delegates to the 1908 Convention of the Socialist Party of America
The Labor Movement and Socialism by Anton Pannekoek
Practical Work in Parliament by Karl KautskyVol. 9, No. 3, September, 1908
Railroad Employes and Socialism by E. V. Debs
Socialism and Education by Austin Lewis
Industrial Unionism by E. V. Debs
The Tour of the Red Special by Charles Lapworth
1909
Must the Proletariat Degenerate? by Karl Kautsky
Delegates to the 1910 "Congress" of the Socialist Party of America
Vol. 10, No. 3, September, 1909
The New Middle Class by Anton Pannekoek
Ballots, Bullets, Or — by James Connolly
Socialism and Labourism in England by Henry HyndmanVol. 10, No. 5, November, 1909
What Is the Matter with the Socialist Party? by Charles H. Kerr
Vol. 10, No. 6, December, 1909
Industrial Unionism by E. V. Debs
1910
The Awakening of China by Mary E. Marcy
Vol. 10, No. 8, February, 1910
Revolutionary Social-Democracy. The Curse of Compromise in Great Britain by Henry Hyndman
Industrialism and the Trade Unions by James Connolly
A Strike in the “Model Village” by M.E.M.Prospects of a Labor Party in the U.S. by Louis B. Boudin
Hoboed Over 8,000 Miles by Thomas J. MooneyPrussia in Revolt by Anton Pannekoek
The Milwaukee Victory by Mary E. MarcyEconomic Determinism and Sacred Cows by Mary E. Marcy
Solidarity in Prison by William D. Haywood
A Letter on Immigration by E. V. Debs
Working Men and Women by Mary E. MarcyWith the Copper Miners of Michigan by William D. Haywood
Vol. 11, No. 3, September, 1910
The Injunction by Austin Lewis
Sabotage by Austin Lewis
Vol. 11, No. 5, November, 1910
Vol. 11, No. 6, December, 1910
The Day After by Austin Lewis
Beginners Course in Socialism and the Economics of Karl Marx by Mary E. Marcy
1911
Danger Ahead by E. V. Debs
Help! Help!! Help!!! by E. V. DebsVol. 11, No. 8, February, 1911
The Crime Of Craft Unionism by E. V. Debs
Pick and Shovel Pointers by William D. HaywoodThe California Situation by Austin Lewis
Shots for the Workshop by William D. HaywoodThe General Strike by William D. Haywood
A Serious Blunder by Louis B. Boudin
Who is the Foreigner? by D. Bond
The Crisis in Mexico by E. V. Debs
Pick and Shovel Pointers by William D. HaywoodThe Eight Hour Work Day by E. V. Debs
Are You a Socialist? by Mary E. Marcy
“Reasonable” Crime by William D. HaywoodVol. 12, No. 3, September, 1911
Labor’s Struggle For Supremacy by E. V. Debs
Can a Socialist Serve All the People? by Mary E. Marcy
Vol. 12, No. 5, November, 1911
The World-Wide Revolt by Mary E. Marcy
The Drift in California by Austin Lewis
Pages Torn from “The Class Struggle” and Other Haywood Lectures by William D. HaywoodVol. 12, No. 6, December, 1911
A Detective by William D. Haywood
1912
The Strike of the Scavengers by William D. Haywood
Vol. 12, No. 8, February, 1912
The Elections in Germany by Anton Pannekoek
A Positive Platform by Austin Lewis
When the Kiddies Came Home by William D. Haywood
Statement of Presidential Candidate by E. V. Debs
Why the Socialist Party Is Different by Mary E. Marcy
Timber Workers and Timber Wolves by William D. Haywood
Vol. 13, No. 3, September, 1912
The Fighting I.W.W. by William D. Haywood
Resolution Against War by William D. Haywood
Vol. 13, No. 5, November, 1912
Vol. 13, No. 6, December, 1912
Morals of Rubber by Mary E. Marcy
1913
Vol. 13, No. 8, February, 1913
War Against War by Anton Pannekoek
Hard Times and How to Stop Them by Mary E. Marcy
The White Flag Agreement Brigade by M.E.M., Editorial
The Call of the Steel Worker by Louis C. Fraina
Vol. 14, No. 3, September, 1913
The March of the Machine by Mary E. Marcy
Vol. 14, No. 5, November, 1913
The Food Destroyers by Mary E. Marcy
Vol. 14, No. 6, December, 1913
1914
Competing with the Machines by M.E.M.
Vol. 14, No. 8, February, 1914
Nine Sharpshooters by Mary E. Marcy
Twenty-Five Years of Eight-Hour Propaganda by Hubert Langerock
Whose War is This? by Mary E. Marcy
Washington's May Day by Ellen Wetherell
Vol. 15, No. 3, September, 1914
The Gunmen and the Miners by Eugene V. Debs
Latest News From South Africa by Tom Mann
The Real Fatherland by Mary E. Marcy, EditorialThe Great European War and Socialism by Anton Pannekoek
The Battle of Butte by William D. Haywood
Organize with the Unemployed: A New Way to Fight by Mary E. Marcy
Socialist Unpreparedness in Germany EditorialVol. 15, No. 5, November, 1914
Imperialism and the War by Karl Kautsky
Vol. 15, No. 6, December, 1914
The War and Its Effects by Anton Pannekoek
1915
Vol. 15, No. 8, February, 1915
German Socialism in the War by Anton Pannekoek
Better Any Kind of Action Than Inert Theory! by Mary E. Marcy
Executive Committee Rule by T.E. LatimerRevolutionary Unionism and War by James Connolly
Where We Stand on War by Mary E. Marcy, EditorialWe Must Fight It Out by M.E.M., Editorial
Solidarity and Unemployment by Austin Lewis
The Rebuilding the International by Rosa Luxemburg
Down with American Militarism by S. J. RutgersVol. 16, No. 3, September, 1915
Far Eastern Imperialism: 1. Modern Imperialism by S. J. Rutgers
Far Eastern Imperialism: 2. China by S. J. Rutgers
Stories of the Cave People by Mary E. Marcy
Vol. 16, No. 5, November, 1915
Far Eastern Imperialism: 3. Japan by S. J. Rutgers
Vol. 16, No. 6, December, 1915
1916
Do Internationalists Want a Split? by Alexandra Kollontai
Fighting for Peace by S. J. RutgersVol. 16, No. 8, February, 1916
Review of Socialism and War by Louis B. Boudin by S. J. Rutgers
The Left Wing: 1. The Battle Cry of a New International by S. J. Rutgers
The Left Wing: 2. Imperialism by S. J. Rutgers
The Left Wing: 3. Economic Causes of Imperialism by S. J. Rutgers
The Left Wing: 4. The Passing of the Old Democracy by S. J. Rutgers
Vol. 17, No. 3, September, 1916
They Belong Inside! by Mary E. Marcy
Hamstringing the Unions by Mary E. Marcy
The Left Wing Socialists: 5. Mass Action by S. J. RutgersVol. 17, No. 5, November, 1916
Organize – Organize Right! by William D. Haywood
The Left Wing: 6. Mass Action and Mass Democracy by S. J. Rutgers
The Railworkers' "Victory" by S. J. RutgersVol. 17, No. 6, December, 1916
The Left Wing: 7. An Actual Beginning by S. J. Rutgers
Mass Action: Where We Stand by Mary E. Marcy, Editorial
1917
Mass Action in Russia by S. J. Rutgers
Vol. 17, No. 8, February, 1917
The Third International by Anton Pannekoek
Killed Without Warning by Mary E. Marcy
Marxian Economics: Transportation by Mary E. Marcy
The Future of International Socialism by S. J. RutgersLetter From Karl Liebknecht by S. J. Rutgers
Revolutionary Socialism in Germany by Karl LiebknechtOur Gains in the War by Mary E. Marcy
Our Action Against Conscription by S. J. Rutgers
The Cause of War by Mary E. Marcy
Introduction to the History of Japanese Labor by S. J. RutgersWhy Not Register Them All? by Mary E. Marcy
Vol. 18, No. 3, August, 1917 [alt presentation]
Vol. 18, No. 4, September, 1917
World Policies by S. J. Rutgers
German Socialist in Russia by Mary E. Marcy
Vol. 18, No. 6, November, 1917
Inside by William D. Haywood
1918
Vol. 18, No. 8, February, 1918
The IWW Bogey by Eugene V. Debs
Statement to the American Socialist Movement when Sentence was Affirmed by Alfred WagenknechtVol. 18, No. 8, February, 1918 [alt presentation]
Last updated on 19 March 2024