Eugene V. Debs: "Revolutionary Unionism"

In Eugene V. Debs's speech "Revolutionary Unionism", he talks about how he wants workers to unite together against the capitalist. One thing that stood out to me in his speech is what he says about the workers who do the work for the people who own the jobs. He says, " while the workingmen who do the work and produce the wealth and endure the privations and make the sacrifices of health and limb and life, remain in a wretched state of poverty and dependence."(401). The reason why Debs points this out is to try to make the workers aware of their situation under the capitalist. To also show how although the workers are not always doing the same type of job, that they all have something in common, that they are all in the same class in the social ladder. Debs wanted the workers to be part of a revolutionary unionism rather than a trade union because trade unions only refer to a specific craft, while a revolutionary union refers to EVERY worker. Also Debs believes that if all the workers unite, they would be able to seize control of the government.