International Socialist Congress, Amsterdam 1904

The VI. International Socialist Congress of the Second International was held from 14 to 20 August 1904 in Amsterdam.

Organization

Represented at the congress were 476 delegates from 24 countries. The first time was an emissary from Japan in attendance. Germany provided 67 delegates, 25 were trade unionists.

Agenda

• International rules of socialist politics, resolution on the tactics of the party (Rapporteur: Émile Vandervelde )
• Colonial policy (Rapporteur: Henri van Kol )
• General strike ( Rapporteur: Henriette Roland Holst )
• Trusts and unemployment; Social policy and insurance workers (Rapporteur: Hermann Molkenbuhr ).

Revisionism debate

Of central importance for the Congress were the discussions about the tactics of the socialist parties. It was about the question of whether the International should accept the decision of the Dresden Congress of the SPD in 1903, which turned against revisionism. This led to a verbal duel between August Bebel and Jean Jaurès. Bebel support of Rosa Luxembourg and Karl Kautsky, Jaures threw chosen to represent reformist positions. Jaures, in turn, pointed out that the impressive size of the SPD stands in contrast to their actual political impotence. Ultimately, Bebel sat in this battle of words through against Jaures and the decision of Dresden has been adopted for the International.

General strike

In general strike question, as discussed in Germany in the mass strike debate, the meeting came to the conclusion that a complete general strike was not feasible. However, the political mass strike is considered possible. This should be used as a last resort to enforce central social demands or prevent serious attacks on workers' rights.

Colonial question

The meeting agreed on the colonial question that the socialist parties should reject all imperialist and protectionist bills. Colonial wars of conquest and military spending for the mastery of the colonies they should oppose. On the governments should be acted upon in order to achieve protection measures in favor of the indigenous population. Target of colonial reforms would be to allow the peoples self-management.

Other receivables

A further requirement of the Congress was that the connected parties should strongly demand women's suffrage. Furthermore, the parties would have to press for the implementation of health, accident and disability insurance. To finance especially taxes on wealth, income and inheritances should be used progressively. The Congress required the parties affiliated to seek the rest from work on May 1. Where it is possible without injury to the interests of workers, the work should rest on that day. Fearing reprisals from about lockouts, the German General Commission of Trade Unions has spoken out against this decision. The growing influence of the trusts should face their organized power of the workers. Since the Assembly could not agree on the issue of immigration or emigration, this topic was postponed until the next Congress in Stuttgart.

Establishing the SFIO

On the edge of the Congress, and the amalgamation of two hitherto rival opposing French political parties. One was the Marxist Socialist Party of France under Jules Guesde. The other was the French Socialist Party under the revisionists Jean Jaurès. These merged to form the Section Française de l' International ouvrière ( SFIO ) together.