Transformation of American Democracy - Election of 1912

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The Transformation of American Democracy: Teddy Roosevelt and Election of 1912

Faced with the challenge of adapting America’s political and social order to the rise of corporate capitalism, four
presidential candidates frame a national conversation over the role of corporations in American life and the relationship between the state and society.

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Roosevelt announced in early 1910 that his “hat was in the ring.” Taft proved a rugged political campaigner, using patronage and conservative favors to secure the Republican nomination. This set the stage for a four-man race after TR founded the Progressive Party (nicknamed the “Bull Moose” Party)

in early 1912.

Candidate	Comments
Woodrow Wilson (Democrat)	Former Princeton University Head and former Governor of NJ, Wilson was a well-known “reformer”: 6.2 million popular votes / 435 electoral
TR (Progressive)	Former Republican president and Progressive stalwart: 4.1 million / 88 electoral
Taft (Republican)	Incumbent president and Republican stalwart: 3.5 million / 8 electoral
Eugene V. Debs (Socialist)	Head of the IWW and noted radical: 950,000

The content of the election – two candidates/antagonist discussion ideas inaugurated a national conversation about how to regulate business – Historians love this election because it is full of ideas with two intelligent men arguing about the direction of the country exciting to have a high level of engagement, discourse, and discussion!!! Personalities involved in the election of 1912 that will both have a role in transforming the office of the Presidents.

Previous presidents were weak… Review: Presidents 1877 to 1896

1. Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson come to the floor with a plan.

2. They both have ideas and they are both articulate.

In many ways, then, the Election of 1912 was a referendum on how Progressive reform, especially business regulation and government “welfare,” should be approached. --To that end, it is important to understand the differences between TR’s and Wilson’s ideology:

Teddy Roosevelt's New Nationalism and Woodrow Wilson's New Freedom

The election of 1912 was notable for three things:

1. The division of the Republican Party and the best showing ever for a Third Party Candidate;

2. The first time since the Civil War that a Democrat had won the electoral college convincingly

3. The best showing ever for a Socialist candidate.

Moreover, the election of 1912 weakened the “reform wing” of the Republican Party, as the GOP turned right and thus set the stage for the supremely conservative party of the 1920s.

Review Key Elections in American History 1800-1912