Mother Earth (journal)

For the original anarchist magazine, see Mother Earth (magazine).

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Copy of Mother Earth Journal July, 1933

Mother Earth was an anarchist periodical published in the United States 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 and others.

## Origins

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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

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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 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’s Walden.

## Contributors and Content

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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 versus anarchism
* Free schools
* Freedom of speech
* Labor organizing through the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and other unions
* Organic and collective farming

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

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The original Mother Earth magazine (1906–1917), published by Emma Goldman, Alexander Berkman, and others, was a major anarchist periodical until Goldman’s imprisonment for opposing the draft during World War I.[1]

John G. Scott & Jo Ann Wheeler in the early 1940s

## References

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1. ^ Avrich, Paul (1980). The Modern School Movement: Anarchism and Education in the United States, New York: AK Press. ISBN 1-904859-09-7

## External links

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* The Modern School Collection at Rutgers University Library
* A History of the Stelton Modern School
* Friends of the Modern School
* The Emma Goldman Papers