# Socialist Labor Party Seattle Section

> local Seattle section of a socialist party in existence from the 1890s-1944

**Wikidata**: [Q105415303](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105415303)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/socialist-labor-party-seattle-section

## Summary
The Socialist Labor Party Seattle Section was the local Seattle branch of the Socialist Labor Party of America, operating as a political organization to influence government policy and promote socialist ideology. Founded circa 1890 and located in Seattle, Washington, the group remained active for over fifty years until its dissolution in 1944. Its historical records are preserved and accessible at the Labor Archives of Washington.

## Key Facts
- Founded circa 1890.
- Dissolved, abolished, or demolished in 1944.
- Located in Seattle, United States.
- Operated as a branch and local political party.
- Served as the Seattle section of the parent organization, the Socialist Labor Party of America.
- Political ideology was socialism.
- Also known as: Seattle Section of the Socialist Labor Party, Seattle SLP, and Socialist Labor Party of America Seattle Section.
- Records are archived at the Labor Archives of Washington (Accession No. 3180-001).
- Archival collection is officially titled "Socialist Labor Party Seattle Section records" and carries the catalog identifier xv47555.
- Notable work includes the "Socialist Labor Party Seattle Section Records" (OCLC number 28410832, verified July 25, 2023).
- Included on the focus list for WikiProject PCC Wikidata Pilot/University of Washington.

## FAQs
**What was the Socialist Labor Party Seattle Section?**
It was the local Seattle branch of the Socialist Labor Party of America, functioning as a political party that sought to influence government policy and legislation through socialist ideology.

**When was the Seattle Section active?**
The organization was founded circa 1890 and remained active until it was dissolved in 1944.

**Where are the organization's historical records held?**
The group's records are housed at the Labor Archives of Washington under Accession No. 3180-001, with finding aid number xv47555.

**What are the alternate names for this organization?**
The entity is also known by the aliases Seattle Section of the Socialist Labor Party, Seattle SLP, and Socialist Labor Party of America Seattle Section.

## Why It Matters
The Socialist Labor Party Seattle Section represents an important component of early labor and political history in the Pacific Northwest. Spanning over five decades from the 1890s to 1944, the organization provides a historical lens through which researchers can examine the growth, challenges, and local impact of the socialist political movement in Seattle. The preservation of its official records at the Labor Archives of Washington ensures that historians, students, and the public can study the specific strategies and local governance of a long-running early American socialist branch, contributing to a broader understanding of United States labor history and regional political development.

## Notable For
- Operating continuously for over fifty years, from circa 1890 until its dissolution in 1944.
- Serving as the local Seattle branch of the Socialist Labor Party of America, a major historical socialist organization in the United States.
- Having its historical records officially preserved in a dedicated institutional archive, specifically the Labor Archives of Washington.
- Being a subject of focus for the WikiProject PCC Wikidata Pilot in conjunction with the University of Washington, highlighting its relevance to regional academic and digital record-keeping.

## Body

### Organizational Identity and Structure
The Socialist Labor Party Seattle Section was established as a local branch of the broader Socialist Labor Party of America. Classified structurally as both a political party and a branch, the Seattle Section operated within the framework of a national organization while focusing on local efforts in Seattle, Washington, United States. As a political party, its primary objective was to influence government policy and actions, as well as to seek election to participate directly in government or legislation. The organization is recognized by several official aliases, including the Seattle Section of the Socialist Labor Party, Seattle SLP, and the Socialist Labor Party of America Seattle Section.

### Timeline and Ideology
The inception of the Seattle Section occurred circa 1890, situating its founding during a period of active labor organization and political realignment in the United States. The driving political ideology of the organization was socialism. The Seattle Section maintained its local presence and political activities for several decades before ultimately being dissolved, abolished, or demolished in 1944, marking the end of over half a century of continuous local operation.

### Archival Records and Preservation
The historical documentation of the Seattle Section is preserved at the Labor Archives of Washington. The specific collection is officially titled "Socialist Labor Party Seattle Section records" and is filed under Accession No. 3180-001. Additional identifiers associated with the archive include the finding aid number xv47555 and the OCLC number 28410832, the latter of which was confirmed as a notable work reference on July 25, 2023. Archival details were sourced from the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections, with records of the archival data retrieved on April 19, 2022, and further referenced via the University of Washington website.

### Academic and WikiProject Relevance
The organization has been identified as a focal point for the WikiProject PCC Wikidata Pilot, a project associated with the University of Washington. This designation underscores the entity's relevance to institutional efforts aimed at documenting local political and labor history through structured, linked data platforms. Its Wikidata description explicitly identifies it as a "local Seattle section of a socialist party in existence from the 1890s-1944."

## References

1. [Source](http://www.lib.washington.edu/specialcoll/findaids/docs/papersrecords/SocialistLaborPartyWashSeattleSection3180)