The 1912 presidential election was a significant one in United States history as it marked the end of the Republican Party's dominance in the White House and the beginning of the Progressive Era. The election was also notable for being the first time that a third party, the Progressive Party, played a major role in a presidential election.
The Republican Party nominated former President Theodore Roosevelt to run against incumbent President William Howard Taft. Roosevelt, who had previously served as President from 1901 to 1909, had become disillusioned with Taft's administration and decided to run against him as a third party candidate. Roosevelt's platform included a number of progressive reforms, such as regulating big business, protecting the environment, and expanding social welfare programs.
The Democratic Party nominated Woodrow Wilson, the Governor of New Jersey, to run against Roosevelt and Taft. Wilson's platform also included a number of progressive reforms, but he was seen as a more moderate candidate compared to Roosevelt.
In the end, Wilson won the election with 42% of the vote, while Roosevelt came in second with 27% and Taft finished a distant third with 23%. Wilson's victory marked the end of the Republican Party's dominance in the White House and the beginning of the Progressive Era, which saw the passage of significant reforms such as the Federal Reserve Act and the Clayton Antitrust Act.
Overall, the 1912 presidential election was a significant turning point in American history, as it marked the end of the Republican Party's dominance and the beginning of a new era of progressive reform.
1912 Election: Candidates, Results & Map
Let the People Rule: Theodore Roosevelt and the Birth of the Presidential Primary 2016. But first, let's recap some of the drama leading up to this point. While Debs did not win any electoral votes, he won 6% of the popular vote. The acting President at the time and Republican nominee, Taft, was also having a hectic race, as his running mate and Vice President had passed away only a week before the election following a lengthy disease. Refer to the image provided.
I know he is now trying to deceive that class to further his own selfish ambition â to get back into the White House and if possible remain there for life. Though Wilson's rhetoric paid homage to the traditional Democratic Party skepticisms of government and "collectivism", after his election win Wilson would embrace some of the progressive reforms which Roosevelt had campaigned on. In Florida, Wilson finished 1st, Debs finished 2nd, and Roosevelt finished 3rd. Despite Roosevelt's popular support, he was not able to overcome the power of Taft's supporters within the Republican Party. Ask students to consider: How is the painting still a useful source for historians? PDF from the original on October 9, 2022. Theodore Roosevelt, the Progressive Party, and the Transformation of American Democracy.
It is impossible to measure whether or not this move sealed his position as the Republican favorite, but most professionals believe this is the moment the polls shifted into his favor. Champ Clark, who had become speaker of the House after the Democratic takeover of that branch in the 1910 elections, appeared to be the frontrunner for the nomination, but William Jennings Bryan threw his support to Woodrow Wilson at the last hour, and on the forty-sixth ballot, Wilson was selected as the nominee. No one was sure who might land the win. With Taft mostly out of the picture, Roosevelt could focus on Wilson, the Democratic nominee. The bullet went through his steel glasses case and a 50-page, folded speech in his pocket, lodging itself into Roosevelt's chest. The Progressive Party also advocates lower tariffs, initiative, referendum, recall, direct election of senators and direct primaries. Ashland, OH: Ashbrook Press, 2013:316â330.
1912 United States presidential election in Pennsylvania
Retrieved August 18, 2016. The 1912 election was significant for several reasons. However, the party leaders and the Republican political establishment insured that Taft remained the party nominee. But with the Republican Party split, Wilsonâwho had based his campaign on completely smashing monopolies and tariff reductionâbecame the first Democrat since Grover Cleveland to take the White House. But first, let's recap some of the drama leading up to this point. He wanted small business, small government, and a completely free market. Numbers indicate the number of electoral votes allotted to each state.
But after coughing into his hands several times and seeing no blood, he guessed the wound was not fatal. Let's take a closer look at these contenders and highlight some of their views. Retrieved January 7, 2018. Democrats also had a challenge selecting their nominee in 1912. William Howard Taft stole the Republican nomination from Roosevelt, causing a split in the Republican Party. I know he is the enemy of the workers.
After the shooter was apprehended, Roosevelt, deciding that the injury was not fatal, finished his speech. He seeks an era of small government, small businesses and free competition. It was thought that Democrats stood a significant chance of breaking the long Republican winning streak in presidential elections. The Death of James Sherman The other event that shifted the poll so drastically was the death of President William Taft's running mate and Vice President, James Sherman. Taft finished with 23 percent of the vote, but only eight votes in the Electoral College.
The states where Chafin avoided finishing last were 19 of the 20 states where Reimer was on the ballot - Reimer finished last in all 20 states that he contested - as well as Vermont and Delaware, where Chafin managed to force Debs into last place. The Federal Reserve issues paper money and controls the amount of money in circulation through money reserves and interest rates. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. Former president Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt ran as the Progressive Party candidate, but was unsuccessful in obtaining a presidential win. The act also exempted farm cooperatives and legitimate labor union activities, such as picketing, strikes and boycotts, from anti-trust prosecution. Roosevelt changed this by giving speeches around the country, especially in the dozen states with direct primaries. Hogan and Slayton proposed to make the nomination of Seidel unanimous after the vice-presidential selection and it was accepted.
Roosevelt differentiates between good and bad trusts and claimed that big business must be strictly regulated in the public interest. Some members of the Socialist Party propose ending America's capitalist economic system and replacing it with a socialized economic system. But Roosevelt became increasingly disillusioned with Taft and eventually decided to mount a challenge for the next Republican nomination. Theodore Roosevelt's 88 electoral votes are the highest won by a third party in a presidential election. Conservatives in the Progressive Era: The Taft Republicans of 1912. Though Wilson captured only about 42 percent of the popular vote, he won 435 electoral votes. His platform consists of his 'New Freedom.
He promised "an expert tariff commission, wholly removed from the possibility of political pressure or of improper business influence. The Encyclopedia of Third Parties in America 3 vol. Roosevelt was not on the ballot in Oklahoma. Debs Socialist knew that they had a hard campaign ahead of them as they were the underdogs, looking to unseat the majority party. In doing so they will develop a greater understanding of the issues central to the 1912 election and of the unique man himself. The Republican Party, for instance, would never be the same. Theodore Roosevelt, the Progressive Party, and the Transformation of American Democracy.
Wilson and the Democrats have won with 435 electoral votes, Roosevelt and the Progressive 'Bull Moose' Party came in second with 88 electoral votes, while Taft and the Republican Party came in third with 8 electoral votes. Bull Moose on the Stump: The 1912 Campaign Speeches of Theodore Roosevelt Ed. The Party of Reform: Democrats in the Progressive Era UP of Mississippi, 1989 , pp 119â154. Surprisingly, Taft put little effort into campaigning for his second term. Unfortunately for Debs, most of the labor unions are supporting Wilson. While he was considered part of the general progressive wave, he was also unique. Taft supports high import tariffs, limitations on child and female labor and workmen's compensation laws.
