Explanation: After the failed liberal/socialist revolutions of 1848, many of the participants preferred to get the fuck outta Europe rather than stick around with the monarchists and reactionaries. They went instead to America, the land of freedom! At the time, even some socialist writers had positive opinions on America, thinking it was on the path (though nowhere near) to a more equitable worker’s society and genuine democracy.

We, uh, borked that up.