Mother Earth was an anarchist periodical published in the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

from 1933 to 1934. It focused on progressive issues and was circulated among the radical community. The journal took its name from the earlier '' Mother Earth'' magazine (1906–1917), founded by

Emma Goldman Emma Goldman (June 27, 1869 – May 14, 1940) was a Russian-born Anarchism, anarchist revolutionary, political activist, and writer. She played a pivotal role in the development of anarchist political philosophy in North America and Europ ...

and others.

Origins

The first issue of ''Mother Earth'' appeared in 1933. It was created to honor Goldman’s original magazine and the work of early anarchists. The title was chosen by Jo Ann Wheeler, who stated to her son and granddaughter that it paid tribute to the earlier ''Mother Earth''.

Editors and Publication

The journal was edited and published by John G. Scott and Jo Ann Wheeler. They produced 17 issues: * The first 16 were printed in Craryville, New York. * The final issue was printed after they moved to the

Ferrer Colony and Modern School The Ferrer Center and Stelton Colony were an anarchist social center and colony, respectively, organized to honor the memory of anarchist pedagogue Francisco Ferrer and to build a school based on his model, Escuela Moderna, in the United Stat ...

in Stelton, New Jersey. In addition to publishing the journal, Scott and Wheeler farmed a small piece of land in East Taghkanic, New York, following the principles of

Henry David Thoreau Henry David Thoreau (born David Henry Thoreau; July 12, 1817May 6, 1862) was an American naturalist, essayist, poet, and philosopher. A leading Transcendentalism, transcendentalist, he is best known for his book ''Walden'', a reflection upon sim ...

’s ''

Walden ''Walden'' (; first published as ''Walden; or, Life in the Woods'') is an 1854 book by American transcendentalism, transcendentalist writer Henry David Thoreau. The text is a reflection upon the author's simple living in natural surroundings. T ...

''.

Contributors and Content

Most of the journal was written and illustrated by Scott and Wheeler, with contributions from anarchists such as: * Tom Bell * Laurance Labadie * Carl Nold Key topics included: *

Marxism Marxism is a political philosophy and method of socioeconomic analysis. It uses a dialectical and materialist interpretation of historical development, better known as historical materialism, to analyse class relations, social conflict, ...

versus

anarchism Anarchism is a political philosophy and Political movement, movement that seeks to abolish all institutions that perpetuate authority, coercion, or Social hierarchy, hierarchy, primarily targeting the state (polity), state and capitalism. A ...

* Free schools *

Freedom of speech Freedom of speech is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or a community to articulate their opinions and ideas without fear of retaliation, censorship, or legal sanction. The rights, right to freedom of expression has been r ...

* Labor organizing through the

Industrial Workers of the World The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), whose members are nicknamed "Wobblies", is an international labor union founded in Chicago, United States in 1905. The nickname's origin is uncertain. Its ideology combines general unionism with indu ...

(IWW) and other unions * Organic and

collective farming Collective farming and communal farming are various types of "agricultural production in which multiple farmers run their holdings as a joint enterprise". There are two broad types of communal farms: agricultural cooperatives, in which member-o ...

The journal also discussed farming methods and rural life in 1930s upstate New York, and reported on groups like the United Farmers Protective Association and the National Farmers Holiday Association.

Connection to the Original Mother Earth

The original ''Mother Earth'' magazine (1906–1917), published by Emma Goldman,

Alexander Berkman Alexander Berkman (November 21, 1870June 28, 1936) was a Russian-American anarchist and author. He was a leading member of the anarchist movement in the early 20th century, famous for both his political activism and his writing. Be ...

, and others, was a major anarchist periodical until Goldman’s imprisonment for opposing the draft during

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

.Avrich, Paul (1980). ''The Modern School Movement: Anarchism and Education in the United States,'' New York: AK Press.

References

External links

The Modern School Collection at Rutgers University Library

Friends of the Modern School

The Emma Goldman Papers
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mother Earth (Journal) Anarchist periodicals published in the United States Defunct political magazines published in the United States Industrial Workers of the World culture Magazines established in 1933 Magazines disestablished in 1934 Magazines published in New York (state)