Pure and Simple Politics
The American Federation of Labor and Political Activism, 1881–1917

This study explores the political evolution of the US labor movement, from 1881 to 1917.

Julie Greene (Author)

9780521433983, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 June 1998

310 pages
23.4 x 15.6 x 1.9 cm, 0.59 kg

"Pure and Simple Politics defies recent historical research that look for a single cause for the AFL's political strategies. Greene's depth of research enables her to incorporate a multitude of the factors, both internal and external, that shaped labor's inability to exert the sort of influence that many scholars would have preferred. Anyone interested in obtaining a more complete picture of labor's participation in Progressive Era politics would do well to begin here." Labor Studies Journal

Scholarship on American labor politics has been dominated by the view that the American Federation of Labor, the dominant labor organization, rejected political action in favor of economic strategies. Based upon extensive research into labor and political party records, this study demonstrates that, despite the common belief, the AFL devoted great attention to political activity. The organization's main strategy, however, which Julie Greene terms 'pure and simple politics', dictated that trade unionists alone should shape American labor politics. Exploring the period from 1881 to 1917, Pure and Simple Politics focuses on the quandaries this approach generated for American trade unionists. Politics for AFL members became a highly contested terrain, as leaders attempted to implement a strategy which many rank-and-file workers rejected. Furthermore, its drive to achieve political efficacy increasingly exposed the AFL to forces beyond its control, as party politicians and other individuals began seeking to influence labor's political strategy and tactics.

Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I. The Rise of Pure and Simple Politics: 1. Building the federation
2. The revolt against party slavery
3. Labor's new century
Part II. The Strike at the Ballot Box: 4. A popular uprising of honest men
5. Delivering the labor vote
6. Party politics and workers' discontent
Part III. The Retreat from Popular Politics: 7. Quiet campaigns
8. The making of labor's democracy
Conclusion
Index.

Subject Areas: Trade unions [KNXB2]