The Labor Press Project
Labor and Radical Newspapers in the Pacific Northwest

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Socialism in Washington
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The Pacific Northwest Radical Press

The Socialist Party exerted considerable influence over Northwest politics and within the broader labor movement during the first two decades of the 20th century. Gary Siebel sorts out the factions and issues in an introductory essay, The Squabbling Socialists of Washington State, followed by reports on four Socialist  papers published in Seattle:

Five Socialist newspapers were published in Everett:

Two Socialist newspapers were published in Tacoma:

 

 

 

 

The Anarchist Movement had an active presense in the Pacific Northwest, centered in the community of "Home" just across the narrows from Tacoma. Founded in 1896, the anarchist colony attracted radicals from all over, including Emma Goldman who visited twice. Residents published several newspapers. We have reports on two:

 

The People's Party briefly dominated Washington state politics, electing a governor and many other public officials in 1896. The populist movement was strong both in the cities and in rural areas and laid the ground work for long-lasting radical tendencies among farmers as well as workers. Of the many Pacific Northwest newspapers that carried the Populist message only a few survive. We have a report on the influential Chehalis, WA, newspaper:

 

 

 

 

Radical journalism in the 1930s and 1940s took new forms. The socialist-linked Seattle Labor College launched a newspaper in 1930 which helped galvanize one of the most effective unemployed movements in the country. By late 1931 the Unemployed Citizens League had tens of thousands of members organized in "self help" production and barter clubs. See the report on:

 

The Communist Party initially organized competing Unemployed Councils in Seattle but later joined the Unemployed Citizen's League, a move which set off a struggle for leadership in that organization. Here is a report on the CP dominated newspaper:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Washington Commonwealth Federation was a coalition of progressive organizations and unions that nominated candidates for state and local offices under the banner of the Democratic Party. Communists were initially excluded but after 1936 played an important role in the WCF. The Federation was a major force in Washington state politics from 1934 to 1949 and published a series of influential weekly newspapers during that fifteen year period. Three of them are profiled here.

 


 

This is one of the Pacific Northwest Labor and Civil Rights History Projects directed by Professor James Gregory and sponsored by the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies at the University of Washington. For problems or questions  contact James Gregory. Last updated: July 31, 2008.