ABSTRACT
Elizabeth Gurley Flynn had traveled to the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe eager to compare the status of women under capitalism and socialism. Karl Marx "great contribution," Flynn explained, was his analysis of capitalism. "Tactics, methods, forms of organization and struggle change with each generation," she added. Despite the many glaring flaws now evident in the Soviet Union, Flynn held on to her hopes that it would demonstrate the viability of socialism as an alternative to capitalism. Flynn had developed a sophisticated critique of women's conditions under capitalism, but she depicted women's conditions under socialism in idealistic terms. Flynn found the transition from communism back to capitalism rough. Flynn did not achieve her life's goal of bringing socialism to America. But her sustained critique of capitalism, developed over six decades of social activism, brings to light problems that remain to be solved. Flynn went on to discuss the Bill of Rights, especially its protection of free speech.
