ABSTRACT
Labor movements could obviously develop only when industrialization had created a substantial working class. The link of the rise of labor movements to the rise of industry led to predictions of inevitable socialist growth and success once it became clear that industrialization was destined to proceed and to create more and more workers. Democracy was seen as representing progress as against its still-powerful opponents. Thus, a labor movement inexorably growing in numbers, maturity, and influence; democracy recently or soon to become triumphant; as well as socialism were all unquestionably identified with progress and that in itself made them appear wholly invincible. The striking record of steady progress could not but inspire both the leaders and the mass of the socialist parties with immense optimism. The socialists' extraordinary optimism had political consequences. Socialists may also have paid too little attention to the peasantry and the petty bourgeoisie, seeing them, too, as mere pre-industrial remnants doomed to shrink and disappear.
