Why Didn't America Become a Socialist Country?

America has been the world's largest economy for nearly a century, with one of the largest working classes on Earth. So how come socialism never took hold in America as much as it did in Europe and Asia? Why is there no “labor party” in the United States? And what exactly is the legacy of socialist politics in American history? Emma Vigeland joins us to tell the story.

0:00 Intro
0:24 Socialists in Europe
1:52 Why The American Left Stayed Powerless
4:14 Red Scare
5:30 Outro

[SkaTuneNetwork]

Just go ahead and ask anybody you know who isn't invested in socialist ideas to define the difference between socialism and communism. Most can not, and especially those who say they're evil. The effects of that suppression are definitely felt today, and the right is very good at taking peoples ignorance on what it is and making people hate it before they can learn about it.

[Cucom]

Thank you to Emma for not doing the "when the government does stuff" meme unironically.

[caramida]

Don't forget that the first time the US used airstrikes, was against striking miners trying to unionise in West Virginia.

[ZungaBungalunga]

In my view, the reasons are :
Propaganda
Repression
A poor intellectual class

[stilltmg]

"History isn't destiny."

Super powerful words to live by. Stay strong brothers and sisters.

[ReadmanJ]

"Socialism never took root in America because the people were taught to believe they're simply temporarily embarrassed millionaires"
~John Steinbeck

[tomio]

“The most revolutionary thing one can do is always to proclaim loudly what is happening.” - Rosa Luxemburg

[ptpt]

Hi I'm from Vietnam - A Socialist Country!!!
Ho Chi Minh!!!
Wonderful country!!!

[someesingh]

US had a strong Socialist movement but it was brutally repressed.

[thepiggery]

It’s always nice to see the Gravel Institute out perform Prager U in views, like with David Cross’ video.

[yuliusseraph]

Babe, wake up, Gravel institute uploaded

[thikang]

Americans used to achieve the dream on a single income. Then there wasn't a urgent need for it. But today is different, while executives wage increased with inflation the employees wages barely moved. As cost of living increases frozen wages are unsustainable. It won't be long before employees won't earn enough money to commute to work.

[Marc_v]

I clicked on this as soon as I saw that notification pop up

[drzoidberg]

"History isn't destiny" makes me think of that quote by Le Guin, "We live in capitalism. Its power seems inescapable. So did the divine right of kings. Any human power can be resisted and changed by human beings."

[blinthepannkek]

"History isn't destiny." These words will remain in my head as a valuable advice. Thank you.

[patbrennan]

Maybe because America is a continent, actually two continents, North and South. The United States of America is the appropriate term.

[tylerhackner]

One of the greatest YouTube channels I’ve come across

[ironickrempt]

Can’t wait until the algorithm starts picking up this channel consistently

[metalprogressive]

Really important to bring up the parallels between how socialism and social democracy not taking off in America along with the Red Scare/McCarthyism. More people need to see this

[NDHFilms]

Where I'm from in Colorado, the largest coal miner's strike was led by the IWW, a socialist union. Over 12, 000 miners went on strike in the autumn of 1927, shutting down all but one of the state's coal mines.