The collection reflects the activities, statuses, and principles of the Revolutionary Socialist League, a Trotskyist organization that advocated for the unification of the working class, the rebuilding of the Fourth International, and for championing various social causes. It contains Internal Discussion Bulletins, reports, newsletters, position papers, and one Politial Resolution from the organization's Founding Convention.

The Revolutionary Socialist League (RSL) was a Trotskyist organization from 1972-1989 that originated as a tendency within International Socialists (IS) led by Sy Landy and Ron Tabor. The organization believed in Leon Trotsky's theory of Permanent Revolution, which championed achieving an international socialist revolution, instead of iterations of socialism within individual countries, by way of organizing the working class. As explained in the organization's political resolution from its founding convention in 1973, independent political institutions that advocated for the working class were not created in the United States because the labor movement in the 20th century was successful at meeting their needs. Additionally, the rank-and-file within the labor movement had begun to increasingly mistrust trade union leadership, and younger workers were becoming "increasingly revolutionary" as they became dismayed by Castroism and Maoism veering towards the right. These factors led to an "opportunity to fill a vacuum of leadership" in trade unions by a Trotskyist organization.

.59 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Box 2 is restricted due to the presence of mold.