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American Socialist : Throughline It's been over a century since a self-described socialist was a viable candidate for President of the United States. And that first socialist candidate, Eugene V. Debs, didn't just capture significant votes, he created a new and enduring populist politics deep in the American grain. This week, the story of Eugene V. Debs and the creation of American socialism.

Throughline

American Socialist

American Socialist

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  • Eugene V. Debs.
    Eugene V. Debs.
    Library of Congress
  • Members of the Socialist Party of the United States of America convened in Chicago, Illinois for their first national convention in May 1904. Eugene V. Debs is listed as delegate number 207.
    Members of the Socialist Party of the United States of America convened in Chicago, Illinois for their first national convention in May 1904. Eugene V. Debs is listed as delegate number 207.
    Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty
  • Eugene V. Debs speaks to supporters during his presidential campaign, 1908. This was his third campaign for president.
    Eugene V. Debs speaks to supporters during his presidential campaign, 1908. This was his third campaign for president.
    PhotoQuest/Getty Images
  • A mugshot of Eugene V. Debs with his prisoner number in 1920. He was imprisoned in the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary for speaking out against the draft during World War I.
    A mugshot of Eugene V. Debs with his prisoner number in 1920. He was imprisoned in the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary for speaking out against the draft during World War I.
    The New York Public Library
  • A postcard for presidential candidate Eugene V. Debs for the 1920 U.S. presidential campaign. Debs ran his campaign from his prison cell in Atlanta and was able to garner close to a million votes.
    A postcard for presidential candidate Eugene V. Debs for the 1920 U.S. presidential campaign. Debs ran his campaign from his prison cell in Atlanta and was able to garner close to a million votes.
    Hulton Archive/Getty Images

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It's been over a century since a self-described socialist was a viable candidate for president of the United States. And that first socialist candidate, Eugene V. Debs, didn't just capture significant votes, he created a new and enduring populist politics deep in the American grain. This week, the story of Eugene V. Debs and the creation of American socialism.

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Correction March 19, 2020

A previous version of this episode incorrectly said that Les Miserables was set during the French Revolution. The novel is set after the French Revolution.