Democrats and Progressives

Democrats and Progressives: The 1948 Presidential Election as a Test of Postwar Liberalism examines the role and influence of the 1948 Progressive Party, led by Henry A. Wallace, on the Democratic Party during one of the most pivotal elections in American history. Third parties have historically shaped U.S. politics by drawing attention to critical issues, but the Progressive Party's focus on foreign policy set it apart. Wallace's campaign, which criticized U.S. foreign actions, faced accusations of being un-American and soft on Communism, undermining its broader appeal. Despite claims by Wallace and his supporters that their efforts forced President Truman to adopt progressive policies, the evidence suggests otherwise.

Historical analyses, including Truman's own accounts, indicate that the Progressive Party's presence did not shift the Democrats' policies leftward. Instead, it may have bolstered Truman's position by allowing him to adopt firm foreign policy stances, ultimately contributing to his victory. While some historians, like Rexford Tugwell and Curtis MacDougall, argue for the Progressives' impact, others counter that the Democrats' strategy was already aligned with centrist and pragmatic goals before the Wallace movement gained traction. This study challenges the notion that third parties always influence major parties positively, suggesting that in 1948, the Progressives served more as a foil than a catalyst for Democratic success.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1974.