THE MASSES was an American monthly journal of arts and politics. It was Socialist in its outlook, and was known for its innovative treatment of illustrations and for its social criticism and news articles.

THE MASSES was founded in 1911 in Greenwich Village by Piet Vlag, a Dutch immigrant, who wanted a magazine to promote the interests of the working people, and to champion the cause of consumer co-operatives. In the early years the magazine was funded by Amos Pinchot, a progressive lawyer, and Rufus Weeks, a wealthy life insurance executive.

The magazine was run like a co-operative, with the artists and writers contributing to the periodical, sharing in its management. The first year of publication was not a financial or literary success. Its articles were mostly too dry and theoretical to promote much reader excitement. Vlag soon lost his interest, and resigned as editor leaving the magazine in the hands of artist John Sloan, cartoonist Art Young, writer Louis Untermeyer and treasurer Dolly Sloan. This group, unwilling to see the magazine fold, began a search for a new editor.

After a chance meeting with Max Eastman, a young philosophy professor and aspiring writer from Columbia University, Art Young thought he had found just the man to take over the magazine. Young met with the others on THE MASSES’ board and sent an informal brush-written note to Eastman who was vacationing in Connecticut. It read, “You are elected editor of THE MASSES. No pay!”

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