International Socialist Workers and Trade Union Congress, London 1896

Summary

The International Socialist Workers and Trade Union Congress held in London from July 26 to August 1, 1896 was the fourth congress of the Second International. The congress has been described as "the most agitated, the most tumultuous, and the most chaotic of all the congresses of the Second International"[1] because of the many factional disputes between and within the national delegations.

The congress was the only one of the Second International to have its proceedings published in English. The chairman was Henry Hyndman.[2]

Country # of delegates Notes
Germany 48 Representing the Social Democratic Party
Great Britain 475 Representing the Social Democratic Federation, Fabian Society, Miners' Federation of Great Britain
Austria 6
Australia 1 The Australians had deputized a London doctor to represent them[3] Represented the Australian Socialist League.[4]
Bohemia 1
Bulgaria 4
Belgium 19
Denmark 7
Spain 6
United States 7
France 129
Netherlands 13
Hungary 3
Italy 13
Poland 13
Portugal 1
Romania 1
Russia 7
Sweden 2
Switzerland 12

Resolutions edit

The Congress passed resolutions on the Agrarian question, political action, education, the position of the working class regarding militarism, the industrial question and the further organization of social democracy. It also passed motions regarding the independence of Cuba, Macedonia and Armenia, tsarism, monarchism, and adopted a special address from the Bulgarian Social Democrats.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ Haupt, Georges La Deuxième Internationale, 1889-1914: étude critique des sources, essai bibliographique p. 153
  2. ^ Gilman, D. C.; Peck, H. T.; Colby, F. M., eds. (1905). "Hyndman, Henry Mayers" . New International Encyclopedia (1st ed.). New York: Dodd, Mead.
  3. ^ The Economic Journal, Vol. 6, No. 23 (September , 1896), pp. 460-465
  4. ^ McIlroy, Jim (2003). Australia's First Socialists. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: Resistance Books. p. 11. ISBN 978-1876646394.
  5. ^ Haupt, Georges La Deuxième Internationale, 1889-1914: étude critique des sources, essai bibliographique p. 154

External links edit

  • Proceedings of the International Worker's Congress, London, July-August, 1896
  • Rosa Luxemburg, The Polish Question at the International Congress in London
  • V. I. Lenin on London Congress' resolution on the right of nations to self-determination