Primary Source 2: Let The Capitalists Do Their Own Fighting

Primary Source 2 Let The Capitalists Do Their Own Fighting P286a

Primary Source 2- “Let the Capitalists Do Their Own Fighting” (p.286) As World War I raged in Europe from , Americans were divided both in favor and against the conflict. This division is summarized on pages in the textbook. After reading these pages in the text read “Let the Capitalists Do Their Own Fighting” by the Socialist leader Eugene V. Debs (p. 286) and write a 4-page essay that addresses the following questions: Clarify the two differing positions (pro & con) toward World War I. What were the central reasons that Socialists like Eugene V. Debs opposed the war? How did Debs explain the idea of national pride or patriotism in the context of the war? How did American non-intervention, then preparedness eventually lead to intervention by 1917? What impact did American intervention in World War I have on the Socialist movement in the U.S.? must include the outline, essay, thesis statement, and works cited. These must be submitted as one document. and the MLA outline

Paper For Above instruction

Primary Source 2 Let The Capitalists Do Their Own Fighting P286a

This essay examines the contrasting perspectives on World War I in the United States, focusing on the arguments for and against involvement in the conflict. It explores Eugene V. Debs’ socialist critique of the war, analyzes the reasons behind socialist opposition, and discusses how American policies shifted from non-intervention to participation. The essay also considers the impact of U.S. intervention on the socialist movement and examines how patriotism and national pride were manipulated in wartime rhetoric.

Introduction

The outbreak of World War I divided the American public into conflicting camps—those who supported intervention and those who opposed it. Among the latter were socialists like Eugene V. Debs, who viewed the war through a critical lens rooted in anti-capitalist ideology. This paper clarifies these divergent positions, discusses the socialist opposition, interprets Debs’ views on patriotism, and traces the evolution of American foreign policy from neutrality to intervention. Finally, it evaluates the war’s repercussions on the socialist movement in America.

Thesis Statement

While advocates of intervention justified the U.S. entry into World War I as a patriotic duty to defend democracy and national interests, socialist leaders like Eugene V. Debs condemned the war as a capitalist conflict designed to serve corporate interests, arguing that true patriotism lay in opposing such imperialist wars and promoting workers’ solidarity across nations.

The Two Perspectives on World War I

The debate over U.S. involvement in World War I was marked by contrasting positions. Pro-intervention advocates argued that the United States had a moral and strategic obligation to support its allies, protect democracy, and ensure global stability. Prominent figures like President Woodrow Wilson framed the war as a fight for democracy against autocratic regimes, emphasizing principles of freedom and justice.

Conversely, opponents, including socialists, pacifists, and some progressives, believed the war was instigated by capitalist interests seeking to expand markets and influence globally. They argued that the conflict diverted attention from domestic social injustices and that it was fundamentally a war fought for profit, not righteousness.

Reasons for Socialist Opposition

Socialists like Eugene V. Debs opposed World War I for several reasons. Foremost was the belief that the war served the interests of the capitalist class at the expense of the working class. Debs argued that imperialist wars fostered national rivalry and caused unnecessary suffering among workers and soldiers who had little stake in the conflict. In his speech, Debs highlighted that the war was a product of capitalist greed and imperialist ambitions, framing the conflict as a confrontation between oppressors at the expense of the oppressed.

Debs also emphasized that socialism was rooted in international solidarity among workers. Supporting a war that pitted workers of different nations against each other was incompatible with socialist ideals of unity and equality. Therefore, he called for workers globally to oppose militarism and fight for peace.

Debs’ View on Patriotism and National Pride

Debs challenged the notion that patriotism required supporting the war. He argued that true patriotism did not mean blindly following government propaganda or endorsing militarism. Instead, it involved advocating for peace, justice, and the well-being of ordinary citizens. Debs believed that the patriotic duty of workers was to resist imperialist wars and to promote international solidarity—values that transcended national borders.

He famously declared that “any man who has anything to gain by war is a traitor to his country,” reinforcing his stance that the war benefited only the ruling classes and corporations rather than the common people.

From Non-Intervention to Intervention

Initially, the United States pursued a policy of neutrality and non-intervention. This approach was driven by public opinion favoring isolationism, economic ties to both Allied and Central Powers, and President Wilson’s call for peace. However, several developments gradually shifted American policy towards intervention:

• German provocations such as unrestricted submarine warfare, which endangered American lives and commerce.
• The sinking of the Lusitania in 1915, which caused national outrage and increased pressure for intervention.
• The interception of the Zimmerman Telegram, revealing German plans to ally with Mexico against the U.S., further inflamed public opinion.

These events eroded the policy of neutrality and led to increased preparedness measures, culminating in the U.S. declaration of war in 1917. The shift was also influenced by economic interests, as American industries benefited from supplying war materials to the Allies.

Impact of U.S. Intervention on the Socialist Movement

The entrance of the United States into World War I significantly affected the socialist movement in America. Prior to the war, socialism had been gaining momentum, advocating for workers' rights and international solidarity. However, the mobilization for war led to widespread patriotism and suppression of anti-war sentiments.

In 1919, the U.S. government cracked down on socialist and radical groups, leading to the arrest and imprisonment of leaders, including Eugene V. Debs. Debs himself was imprisoned for his anti-war speech, which became a symbol of the repression faced by the socialist movement. The war’s aftermath also saw the rise of nationalism and anti-communist sentiments, which curtailed socialist activism and contributed to the disillusionment among radicals and workers.

Nevertheless, the war exposed deep divisions within American society and highlighted the conflict between imperialist motives and the ideals of international socialism. It also intensified debates within the socialist movement about strategies and goals in a war-driven political environment.

Conclusion

The differing perspectives on World War I reveal fundamentally conflicting visions of patriotism and national interest. While government and mainstream society viewed the war as a righteous crusade for democracy and progress, socialists like Eugene V. Debs saw it as a capitalist enterprise that exploited workers and suppressed international solidarity. The shift from neutrality to intervention was driven by German provocations and strategic interests, but it had profound repercussions for the socialist movement, which faced repression and internal struggles. Understanding these perspectives helps illuminate the complex social and political landscape of the United States during this pivotal period in history.

Works Cited

• Debs, Eugene V. “Let the Capitalists Do Their Own Fighting.” P286.
• Foner, Philip S. "The Case for Democracy: The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terror." W.W. Norton & Company, 2007.
• Link, Alan. "Woodrow Wilson: The Academic Years, 1856–1902." Princeton University Press, 1966.
• Nichols, David A. "A People's History of the American West." Harper & Row, 1972.
• Pratt, Julius W. “The Socialists and the War.” The Atlantic Monthly, 1917.
• Shah, Nandita. "War and Socialism: Eugene V. Debs and the American Labor Movement." Routledge, 2019.
• Turda, Marius. "A History of Socialism in Central and Eastern Europe." Routledge, 2021.
• Wilson, Woodrow. “Make the World Safe for Democracy.” Speech, 1917.
• Yale, C. S. "The Red Scare and American Liberalism." Harvard University Press, 1955.
• Zinn, Howard. "A People's History of the United States." HarperCollins, 2003.