Syndicalism, << SIHN duh kuh `lihz` uhm, >> was a revolutionary labor movement that achieved its greatest popularity in France during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Its primary goal was to create a society in which associations of workers owned and operated all means of production and controlled the government. Such associations would develop from existing labor unions. The word syndicalism came from the French word syndicat, which means union.
Syndicalists called for the abolition of capitalism, the economic system of the United States and most European nations, and for the abolition of national governments (see Capitalism ). They believed capitalism and these governments benefited private owners at the expense of workers. Syndicalists wanted to replace capitalism and national governments with small associations of workers. These associations would control all resources and industries, handle all political affairs, and form the basis of a free and just society.
Syndicalism rejected political activity as a method of working for its goals. Instead, it proposed a general strike of all workers, organized by the associations.
Syndicalism influenced the labor movements in Italy, Spain, and other countries as well as France. In the United States, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) had many aims and methods in common with syndicalism, especially after 1908 (see Industrial Workers of the World ). By the 1920’s, however, syndicalism had lost much of its influence on the world’s labor movements.
