My involvement in studying history was focused on New Harmony in Indiana from 1809 to 1826. The years of Rappittes and then Robert Owen, each group trying for their type of communism. Of course each came to naught but for different reasons: the Rappittes were forbidden and took a pledge against having children so they eventually died out (the last descendant passed in 1944 I believe). Owens group was torn apart from within. He had loudly proclaimed in speeches in the East that any one could come and work 4 hours daily and enjoy a luxurious lifestyle with opera, dancing and spirited conversations. Within 6 months it was a shambles as food rotted in the fields because no one felt it their duty to go pick the food. It has not been brought out that industrialists sent disruptors, but I believe that to be the case.
You mentioned Eugene Debs. I have read some of his life story of hopping on trains while trying to unionize the train workers. Of his being beaten and imprisoned for his efforts of helping people. Rand's Dagney Taggart pops in my head thinking about Debs' work. Silly, I know.
I also remember TV public service commercials advising us to be on the look-out for communist cells in our neighborhood (they're everywhere, ya know). They talked about cell meetings in someones basement and the worst part was that we don't know what they were talking about. I was supposed to infer that was Un-American. And then there was the tv show "I led 3 lives" about a double spy, which of course meant that we should be afraid of anyone we met, cause they just might be that spy. And then came McCarthy. By that time I just knew that communism was bad. But my beliefs kept telling me otherwise.
I have belonged to many unions which were all unpleasant experiences and remember the vile comments about the union from the members. It just seemed so wrong to be against something that was in place to help people, but the union leaders seemed always able to create hatred among the membership toward the union but also towards the other members. The leaders used words that left members feeling unworthy and unwelcome and certainly not in a position to question anything done at the local level (if you knew what was good for you, ya know). And yet I remember how happy I was when I got a raise to $2.35 an hour while an IBEW member (electrical workers union).
Anyway, thank you again for responding.
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