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Shortly after the U.S. entry into the Great War the Socialist Party made great strides in the 1917 municipal elections, such as in New York City where Morris Hillquit got 21.7% of the vote in his run for mayor. That 21.7% was an increase of 16.6% from the mayoral election in 1913. Additionally there were similar returns in other cities holding elections that year like Rochester, Chicago, Cleveland, Dayton, and Toledo. The Socialist Party totaled around 21.6% of the vote in the municipal elections of 1917. There was a projection of 4 million votes for the Socialists in the next midterm election.

However, this strength in the 1917 elections didn't translate into power in the midterms. Contrary the Socialists lost their only congressman, Meyer London in a narrow race. Victor Berger won his reelection, but the House refused to seat him leaving his seat vacant. Question is, how can the Socialists retain momentum from the 1917 elections into 1918?

I'm leaning towards a significant military failure for the Entente after the beginning of American involvement, prolonging the war far beyond the 1918 midterms, and damaging Wilson's reputation. Additionally increased American casualties would increase support for Anti-war movements. Additionally harmful to the Socialist party was the Wilson administrations crackdown via the Espionage and Sedition Acts. Somehow gutting these acts would be essential to keeping Socialist strength. Maybe having the ability of mailing to be stopped by the postal service to be removed.

What do you guys think?
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