The Second International: History, Impact, and Legacy
The Second International: History and Impact
Formation and Early Years (1889)
The Second International, initially known as the International Social, was an organization formed in 1889. It brought together socialist and labor parties, primarily from European countries, to coordinate the international activities of labor movements. It existed until its dissolution in 1916, following the legacy of the First International.
The International Socialist Bureau (ISB)
A permanent body of the Second International was the International Socialist Bureau (ISB). Created by the V Congress in Paris in 1900, its headquarters were in Brussels. The ISB coordinated communication between member parties and organized congresses. Émile Vandervelde served as its chairman from 1900 until the Second International's dissolution. Its Secretaries-General were Victor Serwy (1900-1905) and Camille Huysmans (1905-1916).
Defining Moments: May Day and Women's Day
Among the most significant contributions of the Second International were the declaration of May 1st as International Labor Day in 1889 and March 8th as International Day of Working Women in 1910.
Internal Divisions and World War I
However, the Second International soon faced historical limitations. These arose mainly from the differing positions of socialist movements in various countries, which often aligned with national interests rather than labor internationalism.
The outbreak of the First World War exposed a fundamental contradiction between revolutionary aspirations and the Second International's politics, particularly the support some socialist parties gave to the war effort. This led to a significant split in the socialist movement. Following the Russian Revolution, the Third International, also known as the Communist International (Comintern), was formed in 1919. The Comintern emphasized revolutionary action, distinguishing itself from the Second International's focus on parliamentary and electoral means.
Attempts at Reorganization and Demise
The Second International attempted to reorganize in 1920, but many parties declined to join. Instead, they formed the Union of Socialist Parties for International Action (International UPSAI), sometimes called the 'Two-and-a-Half International', as an alternative. The UPSAI was short-lived and merged with the reorganized Second International in 1923 to form the Socialist Workers' International. However, the forces unleashed by the Second World War ultimately led to its demise around 1940.
Associated Labor and Socialist Groups
Related organizations included the International Trade Union Federation for labor unions and its youth wing, the International Union of Socialist Youth Organizations. See also the International Conference of Socialist Women.