History of American Socialisms

by John Humphrey Noyes

"History of American Socialisms" by John Humphrey Noyes is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book examines various socialistic movements that took place in the United States, particularly focusing on their successes and failures over several decades. Noyes intends to provide insights into how these experiments contribute to our understanding of socialism by relying on documented facts rather than dogmatic interpretations. The opening of this work outlines Noyes' purpose and methodology, indicating a dedication to collecting factual accounts of various socialistic communities from the past. It introduces A.J. Macdonald, a previous contributor who attempted to document such movements but sadly died before publication. Noyes reflects on the dissimilarities between various experiments in socialism and stresses the importance of learning from both the triumphs and downfalls of these communities. He sets the stage for a detailed exploration of specific socialistic attempts, promising to glean valuable lessons that may inform future endeavors in social reform.