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Posting here because a pre-1900 POD will almost certainly be required. What would it take for America to become the first major socialist power? Ideally, I'd like this to happen before the Russian Revolution, as opposed to having that fail and America goes red in the 20s or 30s.

I strongly doubt you could have a socialist revolution overthrowing an actual democratic government in the US, so we need to create a scenario where an authoritarian government takes power, and the socialists are the only viable opposition. For starters, we'd need a strong trade union movement sooner, and one that was socialist in nature. Having a socialist party (backed by the unions) win an election, then face a counter-coup, would work (basically R:ART, but earlier). Any other possibilities? Would a Confederate victory in the Civil War, or maybe even no Civil War at all, help?
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