At the beginning of the XX century in political activities of American trade unions has changed, affecting the basic provisions of the doctrine of voluntarism, they were mainly related to the mechanism of participation in elections. Legislative requirements also have not undergone any significant revision. Changing the political activities of the American Federation of Labor in the early XX century should be considered in the system of the changes that have taken place in socio-economic and political development, as well as in close connection with bourgeois reformism, which stood on the path of some circles of the bourgeois politicians in the 900s and the first half of the 10's. XX century.
During the coming of capitalism in its highest stage - imperialism deteriorated sharply all the social contradictions of bourgeois society. The ruling class took a broad attack on workers' rights. American historian John Reybek writes that in 1904-A 1911 the very existence of the American Federation of Labor was under serious threat from the campaign for an "open shop "...». It was a very "unhappy years" for American labor movement. Entrepreneurs are used in the fight against anti-union spies, private detectives, scabs, resorted to the help of federal troops. Were effective and the activities of the reactionary representatives of the bourgeoisie, who sought to defeat during the election campaign to congressmen and senators who supported the American Federation of Labor.
In this regard, at its congresses again escalated the struggle between supporters and opponents of independent political action. In the trade union movement strengthened the position of the Socialist Party. In 1905 the organization was established "Industrial Workers of the World", which is gaining popularity among union members.