Spiritism vs Spiritualism

From dictionary.com:

Spiritism - the doctrine or practices of spiritualism

Spiritualism - the belief or doctrine that the spirits of the dead, surviving after the mortal life, can and do communicate with the living, especially through a person (a medium) particularly susceptible to their influence

Is there any precise difference between the two, ie, if they are switched in a sentence, would it make much difference?

On that topic, is there any difference between Spiritist, and Spiritualist?

Solution 1:

Spiritism is a spiritualistic doctrine codified in the 19th century by the French educator Allan Kardec, proposed as the study of "the nature, origin, and destiny of spirits, and their relation with the corporeal world" (from Wikipedia)

Spiritualism is a belief that spirits of the dead have both the ability and the inclination to communicate with the living. The afterlife, or "spirit world", is seen by Spiritualists, not as a static place, but as one in which spirits continue to evolve.(from Wikipedia)

Spiritism can be used in contexts where there is reference to principles and beliefs as defined by Allan Kardec in his doctrine. For other general usages, Spiritualism will be more apt.

Solution 2:

The OED lists spiritism and spiritualism as equal with the caveat:

[Of 'spiritism'] This form has to some extent been preferred by those specially interested in the subject, as being more distinctive than spiritualism.