International Workers Congresses of Paris open, founding the Second International

Background. The founding occurred during a period of growing industrial working-class movements and expanding suffrage. The centenary of the French Revolution provided a natural occasion for an international socialist congress. However, internecine conflicts within the French socialist movement led to the formation of separate congresses. The Marxist faction, led by the Social Democratic Party of Germany, and the Possibilists held distinct meetings, creating confusion regarding the legitimacy of delegates.

Organizational Conflict. The split between Marxist and Possibilist factions had a long history within the Federation of the Socialist Workers of France. The Possibilists had convened international congresses previously, but decisions from 1886 lacked legitimacy due to disagreement from the Social Democratic Party of Germany. When the London International Trades Union Congress called for a meeting in Paris, both factions initially planned to fold their congresses into one, but later held separate meetings due to disputes over delegate mandates.

Founding and Resolutions. The Marxist Congress is traditionally considered the founding Congress of the Second International, although the organization was not formalized until 1900. The congress devoted time to hearing reports on the state of the socialist movement, breaking the isolation following the collapse of the First International. The Possibilist congress passed resolutions on universal suffrage and international labor legislation, while the Marxist congress resolved to arrange future meetings in Zurich.