I Wrote a Biography of Bernie Sanders (in French). Here is what I Found — PART 1

Charles Voisin
Nov 5 · 2 min read

Socialism gained momentum in America, 100 years ago

copyright : Michael Vadon

Of course, starting my book in March 2017, I knew that America has always been immune to socialist ideas. Actually, this diagnosis has been established quite early. As soon as 1906, a German scholar named Werner Sombart wondered why in a study titled “Why Is There No Socialism in the United States of America ?”

To cut a long story short, after the Civil War the industrial revolution was thought to bring about progress and wealth rapidly. Instead it had produced rampant poverty and inhumane working conditions…

This brought Edward Bellamy to publish Looking Backward: 2000–1887, a book describing the socialist utopia which proved so popular it ranked as 19th century’s third best-selling book and led to the creation of about 160 clubs in America whose members brainstormed on how to bring about the ideal society Bellamy wrote about. So it went that socialism began to gain some attention in America.

Little did I know, before doing my research, that Socialist Party of America (SPA) obtained 6 percent of the votes in 1912, which makes it the strongest third party of the twentieth century, the Libertarian Party only making 1% of the popular vote in its good years. So I figured that socialism did exist in America after all, as a third party for sure, but quite a strong one.

Who fought on behalf of left-behind workers back then ?

Eugene Debs was. The socialist leader thought capitalism was profoundly anti-American, threatening individual freedoms. Far from being an atheist ideology on American soil, Debs’ version of socialism was deeply rooted in Christianity and thought of as the next fight for independence. Debs, who ran four times on S.P.A.’s ticket, is Bernie’s lifetime hero. The young Sanders even made a documentary about his mentor. His picture is still present in the independent senator’s office. Born almost 100 years apart, they share exactly the same passion for political fights and talent for speaking in front of huge crowds.

What happened next ?

The Russian Revolution and the Cold War frightened Americans, producing two “red scares” in 1917 and 1952. Back then, socialism and communism were synonyms, while the Russian utopia eventually turned to authoritarianism and led to economic failure. In Western Europe though, after World War II, socialist parties and communist parties broke apart and the two words have had distinguished meanings since then. That is why socialism (socialisme en français) has always meant “reformed capitalism” to me.

NB: I am on Twitter @charlesvoisin — You can find my book “Bernie Sanders, Quand la gauche se réveille aux États-Unis” here : www.vapress.fr/shop. I am also actively looking for representation from an American literary agent. Let’s tranlate this book !

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