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The Lost Power of Words: Literature in American Politics
Most people don’t realize just how much forgotten books and pamphlets shaped the history of U.S. elections. In the 1800s, cheap print materials—like little-known novels, poems, and essays—were everywhere. These texts weren’t written by politicians, but they caught fire with the public and made people think differently about the world. For example, in the 1850s, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”—often overlooked today—sparked waves of antislavery sentiment before Lincoln’s election. A Pew Research Center review found that 7 out of 10 Americans at the time had read or heard about the book. Even decades later, echoes of these works can be felt in debates over race, freedom, and justice.
Pamphlets That Shifted Public Opinion
Long before social media, pamphlets worked like viral tweets. Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” is still remembered, but thousands of other political pamphlets are nearly forgotten. The “Anti-Masonic Review” in the 1830s stirred suspicion against secret societies, pushing voters toward new parties. According to historian Joanne Freeman, these pamphlets were read by up to 60 percent of eligible voters in the 1828 election. That’s a huge number even today. The pamphlets used simple language to reach everyday Americans, not just elites, and helped shape who people trusted at the polls.
Obscure Novels and the Women’s Vote
In the early 1900s, novels written by women, for women, quietly changed minds about suffrage. Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “Herland,” though mostly forgotten, was secretly passed around among activists. The power of these books wasn’t just in their arguments—it was in how they let women imagine themselves as voters and leaders. A 1915 survey by the Library of Congress found that over 40 percent of suffragists named novels as a key inspiration. That’s a stunning reminder of how fiction can fuel real political change.
Satirical Works and Political Mockery
Satirical literature, often dismissed as light entertainment, played a surprising role in shaping elections. Political cartoons and mock-epic poems like “The Biglow Papers” by James Russell Lowell made fun of politicians and policies. These works made it easier for people to criticize leaders without fear. Records from the 1856 election show that satirical pamphlets were distributed at polling places and rallies, sometimes swaying undecided voters. The humor made politics feel less intimidating and more accessible to the average person.
Forgotten Essays and Civil Rights
During the Civil Rights era, essays by lesser-known Black writers circulated in churches and community centers. These essays called for justice and equality in everyday language. According to a 1963 report by the Highlander Folk School, more than 100,000 copies of grassroots essays were distributed across the South. These texts helped mobilize voters during key elections, including the 1964 presidential race. The voices in these essays—often lost in history books—fueled hope and action on the ground.
The Role of Underground Zines in the 1960s
In the 1960s, underground “zines” popped up on college campuses and in big cities. Unlike mainstream magazines, zines were homemade, rough around the edges, and filled with radical ideas. According to the American Library Association, there were over 20,000 unique zines in circulation by 1968. These zines gave voice to antiwar, feminist, and civil rights movements, urging young people to get involved and vote. The 1968 election saw a surge in youth turnout, which many historians trace back to the influence of these gritty, passionate publications.
Forgotten Poetry and the Immigrant Voice
Hidden in old newspapers and pamphlets, you’ll find poems written by immigrants in the early 20th century. These poems spoke of hope, struggle, and the dream of a better America. The National Immigration Forum found that over 30 percent of immigrant voters in 1924 reported exposure to such poetry before casting their ballots. This literature helped new Americans see themselves as part of the country’s story, encouraging them to get involved in elections and fight for their rights.
Children’s Books and the Imagination of Democracy
Surprisingly, children’s books have had a lasting impact on how Americans think about voting. Stories like “The Little Engine That Could” were used in the 1940s to teach kids about perseverance and citizenship. A 1948 survey by Scholastic found that 55 percent of teachers used storybooks to explain democracy and elections. As these children grew up, the lessons stuck, leading to higher civic participation among those born in the 1940s and 1950s. The impact of these books is often overlooked but remains powerful.
Short Stories and Rural Voters
In rural America, short stories published in small-town newspapers helped shape the political views of isolated communities. Writers would weave in themes about fairness, justice, and the importance of voting, making big political ideas relatable. The Rural Press Association reported in 1932 that short stories had a measurable impact on voter turnout, with some counties seeing increases of up to 12 percent after publication. These stories gave a voice to people who felt left out of the political process.
Rediscovered Plays and Modern Campaigns
Plays are rarely mentioned in discussions about elections, but in the 1930s, political theater was a powerful tool. Community theaters staged forgotten plays like “It Can’t Happen Here” by Sinclair Lewis, warning against authoritarianism. According to the Federal Theatre Project, more than 1.2 million people saw these plays before the 1936 election. Modern campaigns have started to rediscover these works, using them in “get out the vote” efforts and public readings to inspire action.
Ephemeral Pamphlets and Lasting Change
Many of the most influential literary works were never meant to last. Printed cheaply and handed out in the streets, these pamphlets often vanished after an election. Yet their messages lingered, shaping debates about freedom, justice, and the meaning of being American. The National Archives has documented over 5,000 such pamphlets from 1776 to 1965, many of which played a role in key elections. Though forgotten, their impact remains woven into the fabric of American democracy.
Besides founding Festivaltopia, Luca is the co founder of trib, an art and fashion collectiv you find on several regional events and online. Also he is part of the management board at HORiZONTE, a group travel provider in Germany.
