How did the West Coast become the “Left Coast” and what does that mean for American politics? In the 1930s, California, Oregon, and Washington began to develop a relationship based on the role of radical social movements that has added to their regional affinities ever since. Appearing first in the 1980s, the term “Left Coast” has further underlined the significance of progressive and radical movements in the political systems and reputations of these states. In this talk, Gregory explores the history of West Coast radicalism and factors that have made it influential beyond what is common in other regions, including those with blue state traditions.

James Gregory is Professor of History at the University of Washington, former director of the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies, and President-Elect of the American Historical Association - Pacific Coast Branch. He is the author of numerous books, including Southern Diaspora: How the Great Migrations of Black and White Southerners Transformed America (2005), and directs the Civil Rights and Labor History Consortium of online public history projects, featuring the award-winning Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project (2004-2020). His talk is based on the Mapping American Social Movements Project, which researches the historical geography of social movements that have influenced American life and politics since the late 19th century.