International Socialist Workers and Trade Union Congress opens in London

Background. The Second International, formed in 1889, was a loose federation of autonomous national parties and trade unions. Unlike the centrally directed First International, it operated through decentralized structures. The 1896 London Congress was crucial for codifying this autonomy as a fundamental principle, affirming the independence of national groups within the international socialist movement.

Ideological Conflict. The congress addressed the ongoing conflict with anarchists, which had persisted since the First International. A resolution stated that all trade unions and socialist parties recognizing the necessity of worker organization and political action were admitted. The final showdown occurred at the London Congress of 1896, where the exclusion of anarchists from the International was made definitive after a long debate.

British Participation. The British delegation was substantial, reflecting the strong influence of trade unions and socialist organizations in the UK. It included 159 delegates from trade unions, 121 from the Social Democratic Federation, 117 from the Independent Labour Party, and 22 from the Fabian Society. This significant presence underscored the role of British labour politics in shaping the congress's outcomes.