Books by William Z. Foster

Writing during the Great Depression, William Z. Foster describes burning injustices in the economic orthodoxy, and predicts the gradual emergence of socialism in the United States.By the time the Depression struck in 1929, Foster was already a veteran campaigner and organizer of labor, having a prominent role in the great steel strike of 1919. At the time he published this book in 1932, Foster was leader of the United States Communist Party, and had developed a comprehensive policy platform based upon the Soviet Union. The USA?s fraught economic situation at the time led many disillusioned and impoverished citizens to consider socialism and communism as an alternative.Foster begins by describing various aspects of decay in capitalist society, identifying its proclivity to indulge in war, its worsening cyclical economic crises, the impoverishment and neglect of vast numbers in the labor force, and so on.

Writing during the Great Depression, William Z. Foster describes burning injustices in the economic orthodoxy, and predicts the gradual emergence of socialism in the United States.By the time the Depression struck in 1929, Foster was already a veteran campaigner and organizer of labor, having a prominent role in the great steel strike of 1919. At the time he published this book in 1932, Foster was leader of the United States Communist Party, and had developed a comprehensive policy platform based upon the Soviet Union. The USA?s fraught economic situation at the time led many disillusioned and impoverished citizens to consider socialism and communism as an alternative.Foster begins by describing various aspects of decay in capitalist society, identifying its proclivity to indulge in war, its worsening cyclical economic crises, the impoverishment and neglect of vast numbers in the labor force, and so on.

Trade unionist and Marxist politician William Z. Foster explains the organization and failure of the steel strike in 1919, an action which saw much of America?s metal industry grind to a halt.The metal industries had, owing to great leaps in technological advancement, shed many jobs during the early 20th century. This precarious situation, plus the fact that unions had been curbed after a number of violent actions in the 1890s, led to the situation of laborers becoming unbearable. Shortly after Armistice Day marked the end of World War I, a surge of discontentment was accompanied by organization of labor and strike action.Although successful for a number of weeks, to the point where President Woodrow Wilson had to intervene and placate the workers on strike, the owners of the mills mounted an effective campaign which eroded public support for the strikers. Police brutality against striking steelworkers was recorded, with several such incidents being unprovoked.

Trade unionist and Marxist politician William Z. Foster explains the organization and failure of the steel strike in 1919, an action which saw much of America?s metal industry grind to a halt.The metal industries had, owing to great leaps in technological advancement, shed many jobs during the early 20th century. This precarious situation, plus the fact that unions had been curbed after a number of violent actions in the 1890s, led to the situation of laborers becoming unbearable. Shortly after Armistice Day marked the end of World War I, a surge of discontentment was accompanied by organization of labor and strike action.Although successful for a number of weeks, to the point where President Woodrow Wilson had to intervene and placate the workers on strike, the owners of the mills mounted an effective campaign which eroded public support for the strikers. Police brutality against striking steelworkers was recorded, with several such incidents being unprovoked.