1916 Race: The Rise of American Communism
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Socialist Party
Allan L. Benson, Age 45, American newspaper editor and author. Highly opposed to militarism, wishing to avoid war or military conflicts if at all possible. Wishes to establish declarations of war as a national referendum, making it so each declaration of war must be won by majority popular vote. Anyone who vote in favor of the war would then be selected for draft eligibility, although this would include removing the private ballot of American voting, where Benson adds that this would reduce voter fraud. Benson declares that prestige and respect will save the Socialist Party during Debs' temporary withdrawal.
Democratic Party
Woodrow Wilson, Age 59, President of Princeton University and New Jersey Governor. Afraid of radicalism of the Socialist movement, we wishes to enforce the constitution to prevent candidates from running who intent to create a state economy or become autocratic. He believes in a world democracy and wants to maintain good diplomacy, but also wants to extend American imperialism as the American stability improves. His plans are to rebuild Spain and war against Germany as they are increasingly imperialist; having captured Paris and Moscow, and made Poland a client state. He worries that another world war will break out if interventionist policies are not taken.
Socialist Labor Party
Arthur E. Reimer, Age 35, Political Activist and Lawyer. States that the Socialist Party is weak and unorganized. States they are opportunist, and not sincere nor bold. As the economy flourishes, even socialist programs are beginning to fail the poor. Being influenced by Russian political scientists, he leads the communist movement -- stating that as the heirs to the socialist movement, communism will once and for all end the social caste wars and establish an equal, egalitarian worker's paradise.