The Young People’s Socialist Leagues (YPSL) began in the early 20th century as the
affiliated youth organization to the Socialist Party of America (SPA). Initially,
these groups were largely independent until 1913 when a national level of the
organization was formed. YPSL (or Yipsel as it was sometimes called) then had state
and local levels which they sometimes called branches or circles. Some of the
Milwaukee area circles/branches do predate the national level creation. The age
limitations for YPSL membership varied but began with ages 14-25 and eventually
moved up to 30 years old as the max age. In theory people could be members of both
YPSL and the SPA if they were over 21. In addition to YPSL there were also a few
other groups geared towards children. The Red Falcons of America was set up in 1933
and had two subsets. There was the Red Falcons for 11-14 years old and then the
Young Falcons or Red Sparks for 8-11 years old. In the United States the Red Falcons
fell under the leadership of YPSL but there were also branches of the Red Falcon
Guides in Europe. YPSL also organized a Socialist Sunday School group.
The Socialist Party of America went through much change and internal discord from the
late 1950s to 1970s which included disagreements with YPSL. In 1957 the SPA changed
its name to Socialist Party - Social Democratic Federation (SP-SDF) and by the
mid-1960s, the SP-SDF and YPSL became increasingly hostile to each other. In 1964
YPSL leadership voted to dissolve itself. At some point shortly after, the SP-SDF
reforms YPSL. In the early 1970s, and the SP-SDF (now renamed the Social Democrats,
USA) splits yet again but this time into three groups: the Social Democrats USA, the
Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee and Union for Democratic Socialism (UDS).
The UDS eventually reorganizes and becomes the Socialist Party, USA and in 1989 they
vote to reconstitute YPSL.
