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The Demonization of Socialism in America

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, socialism is defined as any of various
economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and
administration of the means of production and distribution of goods. Within this definition are
varied philosophies of real-world implementation. For example, Marxist and Leninist Socialism
is vastly different from a Social Democracy. And while Marxist Socialism focuses on the
dictatorship of the economic State, Social Democracy maintains a capitalist economy and
freedom of the citizen. However, in America, socialism is still viewed as an evil to be avoided
and, for all intents and purposes, is demonized through a manipulated Christian-capitalist
rhetoric. Indeed, the two vastly different socialist ideologies are not distinguished in the political
dialogue of the right. Ideas and policies that threaten the power of big businesses such as banks
or insurance companies through government subsidized social services are quickly shot down as
radical and anti-Christian. By analyzing the political climate of post Civil war America through
the Cold War, the motives behind the connection are clear. From the surge of industrial and
corporate powers in the late 19th century to the Cold War, the American political scene was
destined to be caught in a battle between private and collective ownership. In order to maintain
power and wealth, the
The decades following the end of the Civil War saw the United States rise as an
industrial, corporate, and economic superpower under the rule of laissez-faire economics. It is
necessary to analyze the dynamics of this rise to power in order to dissect how the Christian
rhetoric was integrated into politics in a way that shaped the countrys national identity in the
years following the Great Depression and New Deal, eventually leading to the demonization of
socialism in American culture and politics. The period of time from the end of the Civil War to

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the beginning of World War I (approximately 1870 to 1914), also known as the second Industrial
Revolution, was a phase of unprecedented growth in America that began and ended under laissez
faire policies. The industrial growth was so exponential that between 1869 and 1910 alone, the
value of American manufacturing rose from $3 billion to $13 billion (The Rise par. 1). With
this $13 billion manufacturing value, the United states became responsible for 35% of the
worlds industrial market, making it the single largest industrial contributor in the world. (The
Rise par. 4). Along with this industrial rise to power came the rise of the upper class in
America. The wealthy became ultra-wealthy within the span of a few decades thanks in part to
weak regulations and laissez faire policies. Possible friction between classes as this wealth gap
increased was kept at bay through well implemented nationalistic rhetoric. Many Americans
believed that they too, with enough hard work and determination, could become part of the elite
class. Stories of disadvantaged men becoming millionaires became more and more popular
amongst the public discourse and soon the idea of the American Dream took hold of the
American consciousness. Along with this narrative came the idea that those who failed
economically were therefore weak, or did not work hard enough. (citation needed) This Social
Darwinist thinking was the beginning of the inevitable demonization of socialism and collective
ownership in American society, as a cultural norm was being set in place that placed
immeasurable worth on making ones own fortune while the concept of handouts was
considered less and less American. (citation needed) However, this unprecedented and relatively
unregulated industrial and eventually corporate boom in America led way to a system of power
that made it almost impossible for the disadvantaged to rise up the economic ladder. With the rise
of these corporations came a new class of super-wealthy investors and business executives who

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used their power to take advantage of the lower class and create immense profit for themselves.
So while America grew stronger than ever as an economy, it was not the workers, immigrants
from Europe, who benefitted so much from the economic explosion as it was the company
owners who grew fabulously wealthy while paying starvation wages (citation needed). It was in
this economic climate that the Great Depression struck. The devastating collapse of the economy
would move the nation to adopt stricter policies on business, encourage labor unions, and
regulate banks.
The period of time from the end of the Civil war to the roaring 20s saw unprecedented
economic growth in America. Industries and corporations boomed and the economy soared to all
time highs in a relatively short period of time. This rapid increase of wealth led to
overspeculation and, as a result, devastating economic collapse. The Great Depression lasted
from 1929 to 1939 and was the worst economic downturn in American history. Many lost their
jobs and (citation needed). The national GDP decreased by 15% from 1929 to 19
*more on effects of great depression*
Upon his election in 1933, President Franklin Roosevelt worked to create a set of new
economic regulations known as the New Deal. It was with this chapter of American history that
Christianity and Capitalism were combined in the national rhetoric to condemn socialist New
Deal policies and promote capitalism. Corporations that were used to limited (if any) regulations
were now faced with a heavy government hand and labor unions at their door. With the New
Deal administration, profits for the upper class business owners dropped significantly (citation
needed). Indeed, so called robber barons could no longer assign extremely low wages, or
provide unsafe working conditions- all of which maximized their profits. This loss of profit also

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transformed into a loss of power. (citation needed) It is this very class of people that permanently
altered the American national rhetoric following the New Deal in order to ensure the free-reign
of corporate powers . This was achieved by tying together the ideas of capitalism and
Christianity in an argument to support private and corporate ownership over collective
ownership.
America is, by law, a secular nation with separation of church and state. The Founding
Fathers themselves clarified this in the 1797 Treaty of Tripoli, which states that the Government
of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion. (citation
needed) However, as the economy flourished in the country after the Civil War, comparisons
were made between Christianity, the dominant religion in the nation, and capitalism. Indeed,
both systems reflected a belief in the primacy of the individual: in Christianity, the saintly went
to Heaven and the sinners to Hell; in capitalism, the worthy succeeded and the inept went broke.
(citation needed)

Because all this happened in the 1950s, many assumed (at the time and since) that these
revolutionary changes in American political culture came about because of the Cold War. But
what I discovered in researching and writing this book is that the architects of these changes saw
them as a challenge not to the Soviet regime in Moscow, but to the New Deal administration in
Washington, DC. In the 1930s and 1940s, they popularized a new language of freedom under
God (as opposed to what they saw as slavery under the welfare state), which finally took hold
nationally in the 1950s.

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In 1954, under Eisenhower, under God was added to the pledge of allegiance.

2) The rise of Communism in the East provided a platform to proliferate religious sentiments tied
to economic and political principles.
the demonization of socialism fully began at this point with a religious argument
The Cold War
I honestly don't know enough about this to write about until I have more research.
* Russia was Socialist (Marxist/Leninist)
* Rhetoric of them being the other/against God?
* Socialism became enemy while Capitalism w/ Christianity was salvation
* how was religious dialogue in politics used during the cold war?
3) Fault of Argument
why the reasons socialism is demonized are inconsistent and illogical
* There are different types of socialism. socialism is not just marxist/leninist socialism it is also
social democracy. Norway as example.
* the teachings of Jesus are more socialist than capitalist. (proof) seagulls reap and do now sow
the land. we are to love our neighbor as ourselves and care for the poor and disadvantaged
catechism of the catholic church

4) Modern day

- demonization of socialism continues

In modern day America there is still a religious sentiment attached to appeals to reduce
government intervention in business.

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* socialism remains stigmatized even in post cold war america. why?
* the stigma helps corporations

- citizens united decision

- bernie sanders quotes about oligarchy

"The Rise of Big Business." Digital History. University of Houston. Web. 22 Aug. 2015.