Inventory of the Revolutionary Workers League papers, 1935-1945

Abstract

The Revolutionary Workers League (RWL) was a radical left group in the United States active from 1935 until about 1947. The League was formed by Hugo Oehler in November 1935 following a split from the Workers Party (WP), a split precipitated by the party's decision to merge the WP with the Socialist Party. It published the Fighting Worker newspaper.

Collection contains letters, memoranda, meeting minutes, party bulletins, financial reports, circulars, and other documents relating to the activities of the Revolutionary Workers League, 1935-1945.

Descriptive Summary

Repository: David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
Creator: Revolutionary Workers League.
Title: Revolutionary Workers League papers, 1935-1945
Language of Material: English
Extent: 0.5 Linear Feet, 148 Items
Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Series Quick Links

Revolutionary Workers League papers, 1935-1945

Collection Overview

Collection contains letters, memoranda, meeting minutes, party bulletins, financial reports, circulars, and other documents relating to the activities of the Revolutionary Workers League, 1935-1945. Also present are documents relating to the defense of Russell Blackwell, arrested in Spain during the Spanish Civil War.

Administrative Information

A majority of collections are stored off site and must be requested at least 24 business hours in advance for retrieval. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.

Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Contents of the Collection

Browse List of Series

Collapse All expand

Expand All

Revolutionary Workers League papers, 1935-1945

(1 box)

Clippings, 1938 and undated

Box 1 Folder 1

Internal Communications: 1935 February-June

Box 1 Folder 2

Internal Communications: 1935 July-1938 September

Box 1 Folder 3

Internal Communications: 1938 October-1939 October

Box 1 Folder 4

Internal Communications: 1939 November-1945 February

Box 1 Folder 5

Event circulars, 1937-1939 and undated

Box 1 Folder 6

Meeting minutes, 1935 June-1936 March

Box 1 Folder 7

Financial papers, 1935, 1939

Box 1 Folder 8

Negrete Defense, 1938 June-1939 February and undated

Box 1 Folder 9

Historical Note

The Revolutionary Workers League (RWL) was a radical left group in the United States formed in 1935 and active until about 1947. The League was formed by Hugo Oehler in November 1935 following a split from the Workers Party (WP), a split precipitated by the party's decision to merge the WP with the Socialist Party of America. In 1937 the League renounced Trotskyism altogether, although disputes arose within the League as to precisely when Trotsky abandoned Marxism. In the Spanish Civil War the RWL supported the Partido Obrero de Unificación Marxista de España (POUM). Oehler and party member Russell Blackwell were present in Spain in July 1937. Blackwell remained in Spain in support of POUM and was eventually arrested by Nationalist forces. The party also published the Fighting Worker newspaper.

Subject Headings

Related Material

Workers League for a Revolutionary Party papers, 1945-1946 (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Duke University)
Communist League of America papers, 1929-1935 (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Duke University)
Socialist Party records, 1900-1987 and undated (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Duke University)