Final answer:
Eugene Debs was the leader of the American Railway Union and instrumental in leading the Pullman Strike. He later became a Socialist Party candidate for president five times. His involvement in the labor movement and his political campaigns significantly impacted the discourse on workers' rights and socialism in America.
Step-by-step explanation:
Eugene Debs and the American Railway Union
Eugene Debs was the leader of the American Railway Union (ARU) and played a significant role in supporting the Pullman Strike of 1894. As the president of the American Railway Union, he orchestrated a nationwide rail strike in support of the Pullman workers, which halted the majority of America's train traffic. Debs's prosecution for his involvement in the strike and subsequent imprisonment dramatically shaped his views about the labor movement and capitalism, ultimately leading him to join the Socialist Party of America (SPA).
After embracing socialism, Debs became a prominent political figure, with his campaigns as the Socialist Party candidate for President of the United States. He ran for office five times between 1900 and 1920, notably during the elections of 1912 and 1920 when he received a significant portion of the popular vote. Despite never winning presidency, his campaigns forwarded the cause of socialism and workers' rights in America.
Pullman Strike and Its Aftermath
The Pullman Strike erupted when George Pullman, owner of the Pullman Company, drastically reduced wages while maintaining high rents in the company-owned town, leading to a severe economic strain on workers. Debs and the ARU supported these workers, calling for a national strike against all trains carrying Pullman cars. This protest against managerial policies and for workers' rights eventually brought the federal government into the conflict, resulting in Debs's imprisonment and a severe blow to the labor movement of the time.