State Historical Society of Iowa

Canton, Ohio Speech by Eugene V. Debs 1918

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Courtesy of DocsTeach, Canton, Ohio Speech by Eugene V. Debs 1918

Description

Eugene V. Debs a prominent labor leader for decades and one of the founding members of the IWW (Industrial Workers of the World), which repeatedly was found in violation of the Espionage Acts. Debs who had maintained a position of neutrality prior to and during World War I due to his conviction, wars consistently benefited corporations at the expense of the working class. The speech below was given following the passage of the Espionage Acts and Debs acknowledged in his speech he may not be able to share all of his thoughts, especially given Justice Department officials were present during the speech. Two weeks later Debs found himself jailed with a ten count indictment. He was charged with, among other things, "unlawfully, willfully and feloniously cause and attempt to cause and incite and attempt to incite, insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny and refusal of duty, in the military and naval forces of the United States." Debs was later convicted and remained in prison until his sentence was commuted in 1921.

Full transcript coming soon.

Source Dependent Questions

  • Refer back to the Espionage Act, does Debs violate the Act? Use evidence from the source to support your answer.
  • Refer back to Gompers' proclamation that the workers are working to support democratic institutions, how does Debs' speech counter that argument? Who argument do you find more persuasive? Why?
  • Who advocated for the best interests of workers, Debs or Gompers? Why? Use evidence from the sources to support your answer.
  • How did Debs feel actions by the United States widen existing divides?

Citation Information

Speech Given by Eugene V. Debs in Canton, Ohio; 6/16/1918; The United States of America v. Eugene V. Debs; Criminal Case Files, 1912 - 1986; Records of District Courts of the United States, Record Group 21; National Archives at Chicago, Chicago, IL. Courtesy of Library of Congress

State Historical Society of Iowa

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