Rise of the Socialist Party (sep 1, 1899 – jun 1, 1920)

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During the early 1900s, the Socialist Party of America (originally named the Socialist Labor party) grew into a significant third party with a platform even more radical than the Progressives. The party called for drastic reforms focused on bringing railroads, utilities, and even entire industries like oil and steel, under government ownership. One of the party’s founders, former union leader Eugene V. Debs, was nominated as the party’s presidential candidate for the five elections from 1900 to 1920. Although Progressives did not want to risk getting too friendly with the socialists, since most voters only supported more moderate reforms, they did adopt some socialist policies like employee pensions, 8-hour workdays, and government ownership of utilities.

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