Social-Demokraten (Chicago newspaper)

The paper followed the left wing of the Scandinavian Federation into the new Workers Party of America and was relaunched as Voice of Labor, the principal Chicago-based organ of the American Communist movement.

[1] Finances remained tight throughout Social-Demokraten's existence and the paper experienced a fairly rapid turnover of its editors due to a recurring inability of the publishers to pay even the low wages agreed upon.

[2] Consequently, the paper was forced to rely upon the direct financial contributions of its readers to survive and a steady stream of fundraising campaigns were conducted in an effort to maintain this support.

[3] Social-Demokraten included ongoing news coverage and editorial comment about events transpiring in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the United States.

[2] During the years of American participation in World War I Social-Demokraten followed the pacifist line of the Socialist Party — an attitude which put it into conflict with the Woodrow Wilson administration and its Postmaster General, Albert S. Burleson.

With its subscriber rolls disrupted by the factional war and the red scare which followed, a decision was made to begin running English-language content with a new, more accessible name.