Challenge: Strong Socialist Party of America lasting into modern days.

I want a Socialist Party that pretty much consistently comes third, and nets a respectable number of Congresspeople, and perhaps forces the Democrats to run progressive nominations if they don't want to lose the Socialist endorsement, and thus key "heartland" states like New York and California.

Can this be acheived?
 
I know Turtledove's reputation around here, but I think one of the few things he got right with 191 is that if the Union somehow lost the civil war we could see the rise of a radical leftist anti-war party to replace the fallen Republicans. The socialist's could certainly fill this pact especially if some worker's party is able to unite the populists and progressives early on. I could see America having a "Worker's Party" as a major political force.
 
My knowledge of why American socialism went the way it did is somewhat limited as from what I've read it was right up there with many of Europe's most powerful and numerous Socialist branches at it's height.

First off, keeping the progressive movement from forming is a good start as they tended to fill the space for socially themed politics and issues.

Secondly, maybe keep Wilson from getting elected? or at least have him not pass so many laws that let the US government arrest and beat down on any labor group, since from what I've read, it was both red scares that effectively killed the movement.

Like i said though, my knowledge is limited so perhaps someone more knowledgeable can help.
 
You need two things firstly;

1. Keep America out of WWI; the entry into WWI and the subsequent Espionage and Sedition Acts were a major part of the death of the Socialist Party as they gave the government the de facto power to silence opposition, and the SPA was heavily targeted not just because of its general ideology but also because it was vocally against the war.

2. Get better and more pragmatic people in charge, people who are willing to compromise in the short term or on minor to moderate things to gain in the long term; the whole Class War thing has never been a thing in America to the extent as in Europe and elsewhere, however Americans were aghast at working conditions, sanitation (or lack thereof) and the more overt Robber-Barons, so going after those issues and eschewing lesser and more ideological things is the best route.


The socialist's could certainly fill this pact especially if some worker's party is able to unite the populists and progressives early on. I could see America having a "Worker's Party" as a major political force.

I don't really see America becoming anti-War if they lost, at best it'd become 'They're horrible, but we're better off without them, but we also need to make sure we curbstomp them if they try anything.'.

Also, one big thing to note is that the early Labour Movement in the United States was incredibly racist, for example one of the first organizations in California had at the heart of its platform to expel all Asians since they were being brough in to do the job more cheaply, and in the East their were cases of northern movements not liking the Southern blacks coming in.
 
In order for a third party of any sort to last that long, there needs to be some sort of change to the American electoral system. A coalition of parties might be able to divide power in Congress, but in the executive branch there's only one president.
 

d32123

Banned
1. Keep America out of WWI; the entry into WWI and the subsequent Espionage and Sedition Acts were a major part of the death of the Socialist Party as they gave the government the de facto power to silence opposition, and the SPA was heavily targeted not just because of its general ideology but also because it was vocally against the war.

To complete the challenge, this is all you really need. In order to have them actually be a serious challenger to the two party system, though, you'll need a bigger PoD.
 
Didn't Wilson dream of making America a parliamentary democracy? If that went head im sure a Debs led Socialist party could do well.
 
Didn't Wilson dream of making America a parliamentary democracy? If that went head im sure a Debs led Socialist party could do well.

As the aftermath of WWI showed what Wilson wanted and what what Wilson could get were two compltely different things!
 
I want a Socialist Party that pretty much consistently comes third, and nets a respectable number of Congresspeople, and perhaps forces the Democrats to run progressive nominations if they don't want to lose the Socialist endorsement, and thus key "heartland" states like New York and California.

Can this be acheived?

Does it have to be a Socialist Party in name, or can either the Republican or the Democratic Party adopt most or all of the positions the Socialist Party held?
 
Does it have to be a Socialist Party in name, or can either the Republican or the Democratic Party adopt most or all of the positions the Socialist Party held?
It has to be a Socialist Party, or a party that's undoubtedly to the "far-left" of American politics. Essentially what I want, is an American NDP.
 
It has to be a Socialist Party, or a party that's undoubtedly to the "far-left" of American politics. Essentially what I want, is an American NDP.

That isn't happening. As others have said, for it to be successful to the degree you want it to be it has to co-opt one of the other parties, and in order to do that it has to tone down its rhetoric and move away from the Far-Left. There really isn't anyway of hitting all three goalposts at once without sacrificing the others.
 

d32123

Banned
Socialist Party: Party named Socialist
"Far-left": Progressivism, social democracy.
American NDP: Social democrats that normally comes third every time.

Progressivism and social democracy aren't far left and the NDP is not even social democratic anymore.
 
Progressivism and social democracy aren't far left and the NDP is not even social democratic anymore.
Good point. I meant by American standards.

And good point, they're just the new Liberals now, sadly. Hmm... Like British Labour or Australian Labor, only in third place.
 
Good point. I meant by American standards.

And good point, they're just the new Liberals now, sadly. Hmm... Like British Labour or Australian Labor, only in third place.

First of all, no, they really aren't. And Labour is not at all comparable to Labor. Labor is way to the right of most center-left parties.
 
Specifically Socialist Party of America or can the Socialist Labor Party qualify? Because if so then I'll just liberally steal Jello Biafra's idea and have the progressive wings of the Democrats and Republicans sidelined long enough for the SLP to become a major factor in politics, but ultimately without Red May.
 
First of all, no, they really aren't. And Labour is not at all comparable to Labor. Labor is way to the right of most center-left parties.
Yeah, they're not really liked by Canadians any more, that's the truth.

And true. You get the gist of what I'm trying to say in my gibberish. Labour, not Labor.
 
Yes. With Eugene Debs.

As awesome as he is Debs would likely not live to see the party grow to power, he was old by the time the party really got rolling and even without his imprisonment on sedition charges (which can't have been good for his health) he is still probably not gonna make it past the 20's. He will be essential towards building the party in that time too but he it will be Sinclair and the next generation of leaders who take it to truly national prominence.
 
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