00518 MINNESOTA RADICALISM PROJECT: An Inventory of Its Records Finding aid prepared by Candice L. Hart. Minnesota Historical Society
St. Paul MN.
 Finding aid encoded by Lyda Morehouse, October 23, 2001.Finding aid written inEnglish August 2008Converted from EAD Version 1.0 to Version 2002 by Monica Manny Ralston, Daniel Sher, and Joyce Chapman. OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION Minnesota Historical Society Minnesota Historical Society. Minnesota Radicalism Project. Project records. 1985-1989. Research and administrative files created by the Minnesota Radicalism Project (MRP), a project operated under the auspices of the Minnesota Historical Society from 1986 to 1989, which culminated in the publication of the bibliography, Radicalism in Minnesota, 1900-1960, a survey of Minnesota Historical Society holdings: The Radical Press in Minnesota, 1900-1960, and a symposium. 4.0 cu. ft. (4 boxes). See Detailed Description section for box locations. HISTORY OF THE MINNESOTA RADICALISM PROJECT

The Minnesota Radicalism Project (MRP) operated under the auspices of the Minnesota Historical Society from 1986 to 1989 and culminated in the publication of a bibliography, Radicalism in Minnesota, 1990-1960; a survey of Minnesota Historical Society holdings, The Radical Press in Minnesota, 1900-1960; and a symposium, "Voices of Dissent: The Minnesota Radical Press, 1910-1920, An Open Forum." A pamphlet describing the project states that it was "an opportunity to focus on an important subject that has been neglected by historians and needs to be better represented in the collections of the MHS and other research centers." The goals of the project were to conduct oral history interviews with "participants in radical organizations and movements"; to document primary resources related to Minnesota radicalism, such as leaflets, photographs, periodicals, books, etc.; to encourage research, discussion, and publication on the topic; and to create a bibliographic database. To those ends, the project would "gather information on the origins, social and ethnic background ideologies, ambiance and culture of these radical movements as they relate to the issues and political atmosphere of the times," with emphasis on the Depression, labor organization, and World War II and its effects up to 1960. Participation by scholars, laypersons, and historical and educational institutions was encouraged.

The MRP was first proposed by Carl Ross, in a memo sent to Russell Fridley, Nina Archabal (respectively, director and assistant director of the Minnesota Historical Society), and Hyman Berman (professor of labor history at the University of Minnesota) in December 1985, according to a proposal draft submitted by Ross on October 24, 1986. This draft also states that the project was to be a "three year program to research and document more thoroughly the history of radicalism in Minnesota during the Twentieth Century." Ross explained that radicalism would be "defined in broad inclusive terms embracing the full spectrum of the 'left wing' in the labor, farmer, ethnic, and political movements and, for that matter, in the arts and cultural milieu within the state."

Carl Ross, a radical himself as well as a self-taught scholar, continued to be the driving force behind the project as its director. A part time research associate/project coordinator was also hired. Working with Deborah L. Miller, the project supervisor for the Minnesota Historical Society, and an advisory committee composed of MHS staff, a project steering committee was established and project associates ("individuals from various disciplines and institutions, independent scholars, and non-academic scholars or resource persons") were recruited. The symposium, "Voices of Dissent," was held May 20, 1989, at the Landmark Center in St. Paul. The Radical Press in Minnesota, 1900-1960, the typescript survey of Minnesota Historical Society holdings, was finished in 1989, and the bibliography, Radicalism in Minnesota, 1990-1960, was published in1994 by the Minnesota Historical Society Press.

Historical information on the Minnesota Radicalism Project was taken from the project's brochure, the introduction to Radicalism in Minnesota, 1900-1960, and from the collection.

 SCOPE AND CONTENTS OF THE COLLECTION

The Minnesota Radicalism Project (MRP) records consist of correspondence, reports, research notes, and other related material documenting the process of researching the book, Radicalism in Minnesota, 1900-1960, and the survey, The Radical Press in Minnesota, 1900-1960. Records are arranged in two major series: administrative records documenting the organization and coordination of the project, and research records consisting of the actual data gathered in the process.

The administrative records include correspondence, memoranda, reports, minutes, and other related papers. Also included are audio cassette tapes of steering committee meetings and recorded minutes, recordings from the 1988 Northern Great Plains History Conference, and an interview of Carl Ross.

The research records include background files on a variety of radicalism topics and on individuals involved with radical organizations and movements, files containing related articles and manuscripts, and bibliography files.

ARRANGEMENT OF THE COLLECTION

These records are organized into the following sections:

Project Administration Research Files RELATED MATERIALS

The papers presented at the "Voices of Dissent" symposium are cataloged separately in the Minnesota Historical Society manuscript collections under the heading: Voices of Dissent.

Audio tapes of interviews with 37 Minnesotans active in left-wing radicalism up to 1960 are available in a separately cataloged collection in the Minnesota Historical Society's oral history collections under the heading: 20th Century Radicalism.

Pamphlets and other ephemeral materials collected during the project are available in the Minnesota Historical Society pamphlet collection.

 CATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics: Agriculture and State--Minnesota. Anarchism--Minnesota. Communism--Minnesota. Cooperation--Minnesota. Depressions--1929--Minnesota. Finnish Americans--Minnesota--Social conditions. Jewish Radicals--Minnesota. Labor unions--Organizing--Minnesota. Left-wing extremists--Minnesota. Radicalism--Minnesota. Socialism--Minnesota. Strikes and lockouts--Minnesota. Swedish Americans--Minnesota--Social conditions. Voices of Dissent (Conference) (1989 : Saint Paul, Minn.). Women radicals--Minnesota. Persons: Miller, Deborah L., 1948-. Ross, Carl, 1913-. Organizations: Communist Party of the United States of America. Farmer-Labor Party (Minn.). Industrial Workers of the World. Types of Documentation: Audio cassettes. Papers (Document genres). Interviews. Occupations: Radicals--Minnesota. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Minnesota Radicalism Project Records. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

 Accession Information:

Accession number:MHS990-19; MHS991-13; MHS991-16; MHS992-21; MHS993-22; MHS993-34; MHS993-38; MHS994-2

Processing Information:

Processed by:Candice L. Hart, April 2000

Catalog ID number:09-00322148

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION Project Administration 148.F.11.7B 1 General Files: Associates: Correspondence with individual associates, 1987-1989. 7 folders. Correspondence and miscellaneous papers, 1988-1989. Bibliography: Memos and discussions. Conferences: Miscellaneous papers, 1988-1989. Northern Great Plains History Conference, 1988: Minnesota Radicalism Project session. 1 audio cassette. Miscellaneous papers. Contacts: Non-radicals: Correspondence and miscellaneous papers, 1987-1989. 148.F.11.7B 1 Radicals: Correspondence and miscellaneous papers, 1982-1989. Correspondence of project administrators, 1987-1989. 6 folders County Historical Societies: Correspondence and miscellaneous papers, 1987-1989. Discussion between Carl Ross and Sal Salerno: Unedited transcript and 2 audio cassettes, 1988. 2 folders Duluth Radical/Labor History Proposal: Correspondence and miscellaneous papers, 1988-1989. Proposals and grants, 1988-1989. Interview with Carl Ross, 1988. 3 audio cassettes. Jewish Sub-topic: Correspondence and miscellaneous papers, 1988-1989. Mailing lists and forms, 1988. Minnesota History articles and memos, 1988. Minutes of staff meeting, 1988-1989. Names and addresses, undated. Personnel: Correspondence and miscellaneous papers, 1988-1989. Reports, summaries, and proposals, 1985-1988. Publicity articles, press releases, and brochures, 1987-1988. Requests for information: Correspondence and miscellaneous papers, 1987-1989. Steering Committee: Correspondence, agendas, minutes, 1987-1989. Meetings and minutes, 1986-1987. 4 audio cassettes. Swedish Sub-project: Correspondence and miscellaneous papers, 1988. Volunteers: Active or potential: Correspondence and miscellaneous papers, 1988-1989. Inactive: Correspondence and miscellaneous papers, 1987-1988. "Voices of Dissent" Files: Audience evaluations, 1989. Conference planning: Miscellaneous papers, 1989. Correspondence: Cosponsors and presenters, 1988-1989. Curricula vitae of participants, 1988. Final report, 1989. Invitation list, 1989. Logistics: Correspondence and miscellaneous papers, 1988-1989. 148.F.11.7B 1 Minnesota Humanities Commission grant: Correspondence, proposal, and miscellaneous papers, 1988-1989. Planning Committee: Correspondence, agendas, and minutes, 1988-1989. Program: Drafts and printed version, 1989. 2 folders Publication of papers, 1989. Publicity: Printed matter and miscellaneous papers, 1989. 2 folders. Research Files 148.F.11.8F 2 Articles and Manuscripts: Annals of Iowa. Auerback, Laura K.: "DFL History Highlights: 1944-1984." Bengston, Henry: "Chicago's Swedish 'Book Cabin'." Berkowski, Gerry and Nolan Reilly: "1919 The Winnipeg General Strike: A Driving and Walking Tour." Blanck, Dag: "Swedes and Other Ethnic Groups in American Urban Settings." Brook, Michael: "Radical Literature in Swedish America: A Narrative Survey." Brown, Peggy Ann: "Edward Bellamy: An Introductory Bibliography." Chambers, Clarke A.: "Toward a Redefinition of Welfare History." Chrislock, Carl: "On Guard: The Minnesota Commission of Public Safety in the Great War." Cochran, Bert: "Two Radical Decades in American History." Creel, Warren: "The Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party." Dennis, Peggy: "A Half-View of History Is Not Good Enough." Duffus, R. L.: "Free or Fascist." Duffus, R. L.: "You Can't Lump Human Beings." Dyson, Lowell K.: "Radical Farm Organizations and Periodicals in America, 1920-1960." Fossum, Syd: "Militant Minnesota Artists." Frenkel, Susanna L.: "A Case Study in Midwestern Small Town Socialism: The Two Harbors Cooperative Association." George, Harrison: "The Red Dawn: The Bolsheviki and the I.W.W." Gerstle, Gary: "Mission from Moscow: American Communism in the 1930s." 148.F.11.8F 2 Gieskie, Millard: Untitled manuscript on third party political movements. Gilman, Rhoda R.: "Eva McDonald: Minnesota Populist." Gutman, Herbert G.: "The International Socialist Review: Chicago, 1900-1918." Haynes, John E.: "Communists and Anti-Communists in the Northern Minnesota CIO." Haynes, John E.: "The Progressive Era." Haynes, John E.: "Revolt of the 'Timber Beasts': IWW Lumber Strike in Minnesota." Hoerder, Dirk. "The Press of Labor Migrants from the Nordic Countries: Introduction." Hokanson, Nels: "Swedes and the I.W.W." Holden, D.: "A Clarification of the Role of the DDSP in the Formation of the NPL." Horne, Gerald: Communist front?: The Civil Rights Congress, 1946-1956, pp. 287-289. Isserman, Maurice: "The Half-Swept House: American Communism in 1956." I.W.W. pamphlets and leaflets, 1920s. Johnson, Collette: "Andy Johnson: Mesabi Iron Range Communist." Kallgren, Daniel C.: "From Indifference to Reliance: The New Times of Minneapolis and the Socialist Foreign Language Federation Locals." Keillor, Steven J.: "Franklin Cooperative Creamery: A Workers' Cooperative, 1919-1939." Klein, Frederick C.: "Candidate Factory: Minnesota Produces Multitude of Runners for National Office." Koettgen, Ewald: "One Big Union in the Textile Industry." Kornbluth, Joyce L.: A New Deal for Workers' Education: The Workers' Service Program, 1933-1942, assorted pages. Krosch, Penelope: "Upton Sinclair and the University of Minnesota: Sources for Goose-Step." Kuzbaz: Miscellaneous articles. Larson, Bruce L.: "Swedish Americans and Farmer-Labor Politics in Minnesota." LeSueur, Meridel: "What Happens in a Strike." Levinson, Edward: "Bill Hutcheson's Convention." Lipset, Seymour M.: "Radicalism or Reformism: The Sources of Working-Class Politics." Lovin, Hugh T.: "The Fall of Farmer-Labor Parties, 1936-1938." 148.F.11.8F 2 Maasch, Jay: "The Formation of the Communist Party of Minnesota." Marks, Gary and Matthew Burbank: "Immigrant Support for the American Socialist Party, 1912 and 1920." Nordstrom, Byron J.: "The Sixth Ward: A Minneapolis Swede Town in 1905." Pahl, Thomas L.: "G-String Conspiracy, Political Reprisal, or Armed Revolt?: The Minneapolis Trotskyite Trial." Pittenger, Mark: "Evolution, 'Woman's Nature' and American Feminist Socialism, 1900-1915." Pratt, William C.: "Critics, Scholars, Scribes, and Partisans: Reflections upon Intellectuals in Our Era." Pratt, William C.: "The Farmers Union and the 1948 Henry Wallace Campaign." Pratt, William C.: "The Fox and the Hounds: FBI Surveillance of Communist Party Activity in the Upper Midwest." Pratt, William C.: "Glenn J. Talbott, the Farmers Union, and American Liberalism after World War II." Pratt, William C.: "Midwest Farm Protest - Then and Now." Pratt, William C.: "Organized Labor, Historians, and Today's Labor History Projects." Pratt, William C.: 'The Socialist Party, Socialist Unionists, and Organized Labor, 1936-1950." Radical Historians Newsletter: Assorted issues. Reynolds, Terry S.: "Corporate Paternalism and Labor-Management Relations on the Michigan Iron Range." Ross, Carl: "The Utopian Vision of Finnish Immigrants: 1900-1930." Rubinstein, Annette T.: "The Radical American Theatre of the Thirties." Scott, Franklin D.: "Literature in Periodicals of Protest of Swedish-American." Scoville, James G. and Peter D. Nugent: "Company Towns and Planned Worker Communities: The Employer's Strategy toward Housing the Workforce." Smith, Gordon: "History of the United Farmer's League in Roberts County," a reference to the article. Sofchalk, Donald: "Organized Labor and the Iron Ore Miners of Northern Minnesota, 1907-1936." Spielman, Jean E.: "The Stool Pigeon and the Open Shop Movement." Starr, Joseph: "Labor and Farmer Groups and the Three-Party System." 148.F.11.8F 2 Topp, Michael: "Class and Ethnicity: The Priorities of Immigrant Radicals in the Debsian Era." Trimble, Steven: "Interviews with Strikers." Tuff, Nielson: "Who Were These Farmer Radicals?: The Douglas County, Minnesota Farm Holiday." Tweton, D. Jerome: "The New Deal at the Grassroots: Programs for the People in Otter Tail County, Minnesota." Varney, Harold L.: "Industrial Communism - the I.W.W." Virtanen, Keijo: "The Atlantic Connection: An Investigation of American Culture, Its Relation to, and Impact on Europe 1776-1917." Walker, Charles R.: "A Militant Trade Union: Minneapolis: Municipal Profile." Weber, Laura E.: "Minneapolis Jews and Employment: 1930-1950." White, Bruce M.: Minnesota Votes, assorted pages. White, John Franklin: "The Minnesota Artists Union and the New Deal: A Symbiotic Relationship." White, Richard: "Outlaw Gangs of the Middle Border: American Social Bandits." Youngdale, James M.: "Clio on the Dissecting Table." Youngdale, James M.: "Looking at Our Radical Roots." Youngdale, James M.: Miscellaneous articles. Youngdale, James M.: "Vote as You Would Strike: The Story of the Minnesota Working People's Non-Partisan Political League." Bibliography: Center for Socialist History: Miscellaneous papers. Collections outside Minnesota: Correspondence and miscellaneous articles. Cottrell, Robert: "Twentieth Century American Radicalism: A Bibliographical Essay." Minneapolis Public Library materials: Notes. Minnesota Historical Society: Library's vertical file: Multiple copies of list with notes. 148.F.11.9B 3 Manuscripts and archives collections: Miscellaneous lists. Manuscript collections labor history material: Miscellaneous papers. Newspapers: Miscellaneous papers. Photograph collection: Photocopies of photographs. New York Times Index: Entries on Communist Party. Research sources: Miscellaneous papers. 148.F.11.9B 3 Reviews of recent scholarship: Miscellaneous papers. Supplemental guides: Miscellaneous papers. Tamiment Institute: Miscellaneous papers. Research by Virginia Hyvarinen. University of Michigan Labadie Collection: Miscellaneous papers. University of Minnesota: Socialist Party Collection: Letter from the Politsecretariat of the Executive Committee of the Communist International. Swedish American collections: Guide to "To North America: An Exhibit from the Tell G. Dahll_f collection of Swedish Americana" and "Library Guide to Swedish-American Studies." Wisconsin Historical Society's Socialist Labor Party papers: Miscellaneous papers. Individuals: Akin, Sabrie G.: "Serfdom or Freedom?," manuscript by Mary C. Pruitt. Benson, Elmer A.: "Politics in My Lifetime," manuscript by subject. Blatnik, Frank: Correspondence, 1988. Broms, Allen S.: Newspaper articles. Brust, Bill: Memorial flyer. Butler, Pierce: Correspondence, 1988. Cooley, John H.: "John Cooley seemed to be motivated by some unknown force," journal article by Steve Polman. Darcy, Samuel: Miscellaneous material from the Tamiment Library. Davis, Sam. K.: Flyer. Dirba, Charles: Chapter from The Whole of Their Lives, by Benjamin Gitlow. Dunne, Vincent R.: Obituary. Emme, Julius: Obituary. Field, Fred: "The Blueblood Who Turned Red," article by Steven Kaplan. Fine, Fred: Press release. Foley, Alma: Miscellaneous material. Geldman, Max: Newspaper articles. Genis, Sander: Newspaper article and biography. Georgian, Alexi[u]s: Miscellaneous material. Hall, E. G.: Obituary. Hall, Gus: Miscellaneous material. 148.F.11.9B 3 Hamel, Charles: Obituary. Haney, Lloyd J.: Newspaper article. Hanson, Victoria Lindesmith: Memorial service program. Hathaway, Clarence: Miscellaneous material. Keikkila, William: Obituary. Hemenway, Ray: Newspaper articles. Hess, Robert E.: Newspaper articles. Jacobsen, John: Eulogy. Johnson, Clyde L.: Letter regarding. Johnson, Nellie Stone: Miscellaneous material. Leonard, George B.: Autobiography and obituary. McEwan, Anne G.: Obituary and newspaper article. Naumoff, George: Newspaper article. Nielsen, Marius: Obituaries. Norman, Vera: Interview in Swedish (no citation). Nygard, Emil C.: Correspondence and articles regarding. Olson, Floyd B.: Newspaper articles. O'Hare, Kate Richards: Manuscript by Erling N. Sannes and journal articles. Ross, Carl: Articles and miscellaneous papers. Owen, Robert: "Final Decline or Natural Progression?: Robert Owen and Spiritualism" paper by Richard A. Voeltz. Petersen, Hjalmar: Review of Hjalmar Petersen of Minnesota: The Politics of Provincial Independence by Steven J. Keillor. Robeson, Paul: Letter regarding. Sharp, Clarence: Program for 90th birthday, invitation and program for memorial service. Sibley, Mulford: Articles and memorial service program. Stageberg, Susie W.: Articles and miscellaneous papers. Taylor, Ralph: Newspaper article. Teigan Henry G.: Obituary. Townley, Arthur C.: Obituary and newspaper articles. Valesh, Eva McDonald: Review of "Lady Knight," a play based on her life. Wentz, Ray F.: Newspaper article. Wier, Roy: Obituary and newspaper article. Young, Martin: Autobiography and letter to supporters. Topics: Abraham Lincoln Brigade: Brandeis University Collection: Correspondence and miscellaneous material. List of veterans and 51st anniversary program. 148.F.11.9B 3 Miscellaneous material. Anarchism: Paul Avrich Collection at the Library of Congress. Arts, The: Articles and miscellaneous papers. Committee for the Protection of the Foreign Born: Torch of Liberty: Twenty-five Years in the Life of the Foreign Born in the U.S.A., by Louise Pettibone Smith, pp. 331-333, 383-393. Communism: Anti-communism: Miscellaneous articles. Red baiting: "Are They Communists or Cats-paws?" by Ray P. Chase, and refutations. Communist Labor Party: Newspaper articles. Communist Party: Miscellaneous material. Professional workers: "The Professional View." Communist Party USA: Newspaper articles. Historians of American Communism: Miscellaneous papers. Labor World, The: articles. 148.F.12.2F 4 Cooperatives: Miscellaneous material. Democratic Farmer-Labor Party: Script for 40th anniversary presentation and mockup for a history of the party. Farm Holiday Association: Miscellaneous papers. Films: Brochure for "Seeing Red" and photocopy of invitation to "Good Man in the Woods." Farmer-Labor Party: Miscellaneous articles. Finnish: Miscellaneous papers. Hotels and restaurants: Newspaper articles and memo regarding research on Local 665. Human rights, Minneapolis: "Report and Recommendations of the Civic Organizations Committee of the Minneapolis Community Self-Survey on Human Relations." Jewish: Miscellaneous papers. Mesabi: Newspaper articles. Norwegian: They Chose Minnesota: A Survey of the State's Ethnic Groups, pp. 223-225. Office Workers' Union (New York, New York): Outline for speakers. Rural radicals: "Rethinking the Farm Revolt of the 1930s," by William C. Pratt and newspaper articles. 148.F.12.2F 4 Socialism: German-inspired socialism: "Charles McCarthy and Frederic C. Howe: Their Imperial German Sources for the Wisconsin Idea in Progressive Politics"; and "Imperial German Inspired Socialism in Mayor Frank Zeidler's Milwaukee, 1948-1960," by LaVern J. Rippley, and program from event honoring Zeidler. Scandinavian Socialist Labor Federation: Correspondence and miscellaneous papers. Socialist Labor Party: Correspondence and reports. Debates, national: Miscellaneous papers. Faribault Referendum: Correspondence. Socialist Party: Miscellaneous papers. Socialist Workers Party: Notice of the acquisition of the Socialist Workers Party Collection by Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research, Los Angeles. South Slavs: "Portraits of Herstory: An Oral History of Four Midwest Women Who Survived the Great Depression," by Louise Clements Clapp, and miscellaneous papers. Soviet Karelia: Newspaper articles. Strikes: Great Northern Railway, St. Paul, 1894: Newspaper articles. Home builders, 1939: Newspaper articles. Honeywell C.I.O. and A.F.L. organization campaigns, 1941: Newspaper articles. Hurst-Citizen Alliance v. Typographical Union, 1922: Newspaper article. Miller's Cafeteria, 1941: Newspaper articles. Minnesota, Dakota and Western railway, 1919: Newspaper articles. Montgomery Ward, 1938: Newspaper articles. Pro-labor decision, 1916: Newspaper articles. Pullman, St. Paul, 1894: Newspaper articles. Street car workers: 1889: Community reaction: Newspaper articles. General events: Newspaper articles.

Arranged by city.

 148.F.12.2F 4 Workers: Newspaper articles and miscellaneous papers. 1893: Newspaper articles. 1917-1918: Newspaper articles. Telegraphers, St. Paul, 1883: Newspaper articles. Teamsters (General Drivers Union 544, Minneapolis), 1941: Newspaper articles. Theater workers, 1927: Newspaper articles. Timber workers, 1937: Newspaper articles and article from Timber Producers Bulletin. Truck drivers, Minneapolis, 1934: Miscellaneous papers. Surveillance of radicals: Miscellaneous papers. Swedish: Good Templar Center catalog cards. Miscellaneous papers (some in Swedish). Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center: Correspondence and newsletter. United Units: Miscellaneous papers. Women: "A New Deal for Workers' Education: The Workers' Service Program 1933-1942," by Joyce L. Kornbluh, miscellaneous pages; "Other Socialists: Native-Born and Immigrant Women in the Socialist Party of America, 1901-1917; miscellaneous papers. W.P.A.: Memo. Work Peoples College: Miscellaneous articles. Youth and student movements: Miscellaneous articles.